Strawberry Spinach Salad is the perfect salad for a summer night. Packed with fresh greens and sweet strawberries, this salad is finished with sliced almonds for just the right amount of crunch.
We enjoyed our strawberry spinach salad for dinner along with a simple pasta. It is sweet and tart and even my vegetable skeptical kids surprised me by liking it so much.
Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe
I’ve never ascribed to the belief that a recipe needs to be complicated and packed with ingredients to be impressive or satisfying. This salad recipe is the perfect example.
Summer strawberries shine full of flavor all on their own. The contrast between the leafy spinach and the juicy strawberries is just about perfect.
I added thin slices of sweet red onion for a little bit of a bite and a handful of almonds for texture, crunch and flavor.
One of my boys informed us that it was just right if you get a bite with berry, spinach and onion all at once. He has never enjoyed an onion before in his life. I was impressed!
Strawberry Spinach Salad Dressing
The salad dressing on this strawberry spinach salad recipe is designed to enhance the flavors of the other ingredients and I think it does so beautifully.
Light olive oil is whisked with lemon juicy, zest and just a bit of sea salt and fresh ground pepper to make the dressing. Gently tossing the strawberries, spinach, onion, and almonds in this light dressing is all you need to make a tasty light lunch or side dish.
I highly recommend that you try the salad with the dressing as written first, but this basic salad recipe would also be good with a light vinaigrette dressing. Try it with Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette or White Balsamic Vinaigrette and let me know how it turns out!
Spinach Salad Recipe
When the weather is warm and fresh organic baby spinach leaves are abundant, I love tossing together a spinach salad to serve with a meal. Beside this Strawberry Spinach Salad recipe, I have many other spinach salad recipes I enjoy making, serving and eating.
Spinach Pasta Salad is among my favorite pasta salad recipes. Hearty enough to eat on its own for lunch or a quick supper, it’s also a perfect side dish and always a hit at potlucks, parties and picnics.
I recently took that recipe and this one and put the ideas together to create Strawberry Spinach Pasta Salad. I couldn’t have been happier with the results. Tender pieces of pasta added so much to the meal of strawberries and spinach.
Another favorite around here is this Spinach Orzo Salad that’s packed with cranberries and goat cheese, too. Any meal that’s as nourishing as it is beautiful and delicious is a winner in my book!
For something a little out of the ordinary, try this Spicy Spinach Fruit Salad with Strawberry Grape Vinaigrette. It includes roasted almonds and sweet white grapes along with tart, sweet vinaigrette dressing and disappeared almost as fast as it hit the table.
Crisp baby spinach, spring mix lettuces, tart apples, sweet raisins, crunchy almonds, and the ultimate honey cider salad dressing all combined to create a fantastic Spinach Apple Salad.
I highly recommend it even for families with members who are reluctant to eat salad!
Strawberry Salad Recipes
I admit to being maybe a little bit too enthusiastic about strawberries and nuts in my salad, if such a thing is even possible. Almonds are often my go-to but roasted cinnamon pecans elevate strawberries to new heights in this Sweet Strawberry Salad.
For a light but satisfying main dish, you can’t go wrong with this Strawberry Chicken Salad. The warm orange vinaigrette dressing drizzled on top of tender chicken and berries needs to be tasted to be believed.
I also can’t wait to try Pistachio Strawberry Salad next time I have pistachios on hand! That salad r has cooked quinoa in the recipe, too, which sounds like a fantastic idea.
Foodie Crush shared this Strawberry Arugula Salad with Watermelon and Feta I’ve got my eye on as well as this Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad with Chicken.
Can you think of anything better in the summertime than a meal with peak season strawberries, crisp greens and chicken (or your other favorite protein)?
I’ve got hearts in my eyes just thinking about it.
Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe
- In a medium sized bowl, lightly toss together the spinach, onions and strawberries. Set aside.
- Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt and pepper until thoroughly combined. Pour dressing over salad and lightly toss until coated. Top with almonds before serving.
Strawberry Spinach Salad
Ingredients
- 4 cups organic baby spinach leaves
- 1/4 red onion slivered into strips as thin as possible
- 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries cut into halves or thirds
- Handful of sliced almonds
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- Juice from 1 lemon
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon zest zested and then chopped for even tinier pieces
- Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper
Instructions
- In a medium sized bowl, lightly toss together the spinach, onions and strawberries. Set aside.
- Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt and pepper until thoroughly combined. Pour dressing over salad and lightly toss until coated. Top with almonds before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition
{originally published 6/2/11 – recipe notes and photos updated 8/19/19}
Jen of My Tiny Oven says
Oh this looks so great! I love fresh berries in salads! I am totally making this for dinner! Thanks!
Quay Po Cooks says
This is absolutely visually appealing and no doubt palette appealing too.
Pam says
What a perfect salad!
Inside a British Mum's Kitchen says
What a delicious sounding salad – sounds like your kids are developing very good taste!
Mary
Lucy says
This looks great, simple yet delicious! I'm glad I stumbled upon your blog today – I will be following!
BakerbyNature says
This would be a great lunch or appetizer salad; so light and summery.
Anonymous says
I make a similar one with mandarin oranges (in their own juice) and sub the orange juice for the lemon juice. Like the added color and additional fruit.
Susan Dubose says
Excellent salad! Very pretty and easy to make. I love both strawberries & spinach. The dressing was very good and sweet. Served it for Sunday dinner and it was loved. Thanks!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that you enjoyed it, Susan.
Richard Tunner says
This salad was excellent!! Very easy to make and very tasty. Will definitely serve it again.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that you like the salad, Richard!
Britt McDaniel says
This salad is served at Panera’s Bread Company. The dressing that is used is Poppy Seed dressing. Really good !!
Mary Younkin says
I adore a great poppyseed dressing, Britt. I make several salads with fruit and nuts and that dressing!
Britt McDaniel says
This salad also comes with blueberries, pineapples and mandarin oranges at Panera’s restaurant. Wanted to add that !!!
Mary Younkin says
I love adding in all the extras too!
Lacey Brooks says
I made this for my husband and he absolutely loved it!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so happy to hear that, Lacey!
Kris Marie says
Definitely making this soon along with the poppyseed dressing!! Thank you!
Mary Younkin says
Kris – Please do! And let me know how it turns out it is one of my favorite combinations.