Strawberry Spinach Walnuts Salad (Printer-friendly)
Bright spinach and strawberries meet crunchy walnuts in a tangy balsamic blend, perfect for a light, fresh meal.
# What you'll need:
→ Salad Components
01 - 6 cups fresh baby spinach, washed and thoroughly dried
02 - 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced into quarters
03 - ½ cup walnuts, roughly chopped
04 - ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
05 - ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced into half-moons
→ Balsamic Vinaigrette
06 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
08 - 1 teaspoon honey or pure maple syrup
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
# Method:
01 - Place the washed and dried baby spinach in a large salad bowl. Top with sliced strawberries, chopped walnuts, crumbled feta cheese (if using), and thinly sliced red onion.
02 - In a small bowl or jar, combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey or maple syrup, and Dijon mustard. Whisk vigorously or shake until the mixture is fully emulsified and thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
03 - Drizzle the vinaigrette evenly over the salad just before serving. Using salad tongs, toss gently to coat all ingredients without crushing the spinach or berries. Serve immediately while the walnuts remain crunchy.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The sweet and savory combo hits every craving at once
- It comes together in literally 15 minutes flat
- People think you put way more effort into it than you actually did
02 -
- Never dress this salad ahead of time, the spinach will wilt within ten minutes
- Room temperature strawberries have more flavor than cold ones from the fridge
- The dressing makes enough for two salads, save the extra in a sealed jar
03 -
- Taste your strawberries first and add a pinch more honey if they're not perfectly ripe
- Add the dressing at the table so guests can see how vibrant everything looks