Strawberry Spinach Salad with Balsamic Dressing

This strawberry spinach salad comes together in 10 minutes with fresh spinach, sliced strawberries, thinly sliced red onion, creamy goat cheese, crunchy walnuts and a simple homemade balsamic dressing. Sweet, tangy, salty and crunchy, all in one bowl, and there’s nothing to cook.

The dressing is what makes it. Balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard and a tablespoon of honey whisk together in about a minute, and it tastes so much better than anything from a bottle. Serve it as a side salad, or add grilled chicken and call it lunch.

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Spinach Salad

• Ripe strawberries and tangy goat cheese are a classic pair, and the balsamic dressing ties the sweet and savory sides together.
• It’s ready in 10 minutes, start to finish.
• The Dijon mustard helps the oil and vinegar blend into a smooth dressing instead of separating right away.
• It’s easy to change up with different nuts, cheeses or greens, so you can make it with what you have.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Fresh spinach (or arugula or a mix of greens)
• Strawberries
• Red onion, thinly sliced
• Goat cheese (or feta)
• Walnuts
• Balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil
• Dijon mustard and honey
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Eight ingredients plus salt and pepper, and you may already have most of the dressing ingredients in your pantry.

Strawberry Spinach Salad Ingredient Notes

Strawberries

Strawberries are the star here, so use ripe, red ones. They’re at their best in spring and early summer. Slice them right before you put the salad together so they stay fresh and don’t leak juice all over the spinach.

Goat Cheese

Crumbled goat cheese adds a creamy, tangy bite that’s perfect with the strawberries. Feta works too if you like a saltier cheese. Goat cheese is easiest to crumble when it’s cold, so keep it in the fridge until you need it.

Walnuts

Walnuts bring the crunch. Pecans, almonds or pumpkin seeds are all good swaps if that’s what you have.

I buy pantry staples like extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar and nuts on Thrive Market, a high-quality online grocer. Get 40% off your first order at Thrive Market here.

How to Make Strawberry Spinach Salad

This one is easy. Here’s the order:

1. Prep the greens and fruit. Wash and dry the spinach and strawberries. Get the spinach as dry as you can (a salad spinner is perfect here), because dressing slides right off wet leaves. Then slice the strawberries and crumble the goat cheese.
2. Make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, salt and black pepper.
3. Build the salad. In a large salad bowl, combine the spinach, strawberries, red onion, goat cheese and walnuts.
4. Dress and toss. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine. Go easy so the strawberries stay pretty and the goat cheese doesn’t smear. If you like a lightly dressed salad, add the dressing a little at a time.
5. Serve right away. Spinach starts to wilt once it’s dressed, so this salad is best served immediately.

See the full recipe and tips in the printable recipe card below.

Ways to Make It Your Own

• Cheese: Swap the goat cheese for feta if you prefer a saltier bite.
• Protein: Add grilled chicken to turn it into a meal.
• Make it heartier: Toss in some cooked quinoa (here’s how to make fluffy quinoa) or sliced avocado.
• Greens: Use arugula or a mix of greens instead of all spinach.
• In the fall: Try my Classic Apple Spinach Salad, which swaps strawberries for crisp apples.

How to Store Strawberry Spinach Salad

Once it’s dressed, this salad doesn’t keep well, so only dress what you plan to eat. Store the undressed spinach, sliced strawberries, red onion, cheese and walnuts in separate containers in the fridge, and keep the dressing in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 5 days. Shake the jar well before using, since the dressing separates as it sits.

Strawberry Spinach Salad FAQs

What dressing goes with strawberry spinach salad?

A balsamic vinaigrette is my pick. The tangy vinegar balances the sweet strawberries, and a little honey and Dijon make it smooth. Poppy seed dressing is the other classic choice if you like a creamier, sweeter salad.

Can I use feta instead of goat cheese?

Yes. Feta is a little saltier and firmer than goat cheese, and it’s delicious with strawberries. Use the same amount.

Can I make strawberry spinach salad ahead of time?

You can prep everything ahead, but keep it separate. Wash and dry the spinach, make the dressing and chop the walnuts ahead of time, then slice the strawberries, assemble and dress the salad right before serving.

What can I serve with strawberry spinach salad?

It’s a great side for grilled chicken or fish. Try it with my Easy Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon for an easy spring dinner. You can also add grilled chicken right on top and make it a main dish.

Is strawberry spinach salad healthy?

Yes. It’s full of leafy greens, fresh fruit and walnuts, and the homemade dressing skips the added sugars and preservatives you find in a lot of bottled dressings. Strawberries are also a great source of vitamin C.

Looking for more fresh salads? Check out my 10 Best Summer Salad Recipes or the Spring Spinach & Asparagus Salad. If you make this strawberry spinach salad, tell me what you think in the comments!

Print