One in every of my absolute FAVORITE wholesome salads to make throughout the summer season is that this strawberry spinach salad. It was one of many first salads that my husband Tony ate with out ranch dressing and truly LOVED!
I created this recipe a couple of years again and are available again to it each single summer season. It’s completely candy with hits of creaminess and crunch that make it additional particular. Toss it with a simple home made balsamic French dressing (see under for a enjoyable berry possibility!) and serve it up as the proper facet at your subsequent BBQ.
Every time we grill up burgers or hen sausages, I all the time ensure to have these strawberry spinach salad components readily available so I can whip up our very favourite.
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Elements on this strawberry spinach salad
This finest ever strawberry spinach salad is full of contemporary components to maintain it vibrant, flavorful, wholesome and enjoyable to eat. You’ll want:
- Spinach: there’s one thing about strawberries and spinach collectively on this salad that simply is sensible. Be at liberty to do half arugula and half spinach for a bit of extra zing if you happen to’d like!
- Recent strawberries: seize a case of tremendous juicy, ripe strawberries so as to add pure sweetness to this salad.
- Avocado: you’ll love the creaminess that avocado provides to each chew. I’d suggest selecting an avocado that isn’t too ripe in order that it’s simpler to chop and add to your salad. It ought to have simply the tiniest little bit of squeeze.
- Feta: the creamy, salty taste feta offers to the salad is out of this world. It’s also possible to use goat cheese for a bit of extra tang, and even gorgonzola or blue cheese crumbles.
- Purple onion: for a bit of zing to go together with the creamy feta and candy strawberries. Should you’re delicate to the onion taste, merely soak the slices in water beforehand or omit out of your salad.
- Roasted pistachios: for the proper, nutty crunch. Or simply use extra almonds!
- Toasted sliced almonds: the feel of sliced almonds pairs completely nicely along with the pistachios.
- Selfmade strawberry balsamic French dressing: a brilliant straightforward dressing made with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, dijon mustard, strawberry jam, salt & pepper (or be at liberty to strive my yummy tangy and candy raspberry balsamic French dressing!).
Lastly, my choice is to make use of natural spinach and natural strawberries as a result of I believe they pack extra taste and vitamins, however the selection is all the time yours.
On the lookout for a protein enhance?
This strawberry salad recipe is scrumptious by itself or along with your favourite proteins. Right here’s what I recommend:
- 1 cup of chickpeas or cooked quinoa to maintain it vegetarian
- Grilled hen (use the strawberry balsamic French dressing as a marinade!)
- Grilled salmon
How you can toast almonds
You’ll be able to simply toast your personal almonds proper at house, and there are two methods to do it: on the stovetop or within the oven!
- Stovetop methodology: Add sliced almonds to a pan and place over medium warmth, stirring often for 2-5 minutes till almonds are barely golden brown. Take away from warmth and permit to chill earlier than including them to the salad.
- Oven methodology: Preheat the oven to 350 levels F. Place sliced almonds on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for six to eight minutes till aromatic and golden brown, stirring as soon as midway by baking. Watch fastidiously in order that nuts don’t burn!
Suggestions for making the perfect strawberry spinach salad
- Use agency avocados: firmer avocados are finest on this salad as a result of they’ll hold their form. Take a look at precisely the best way to reduce an avocado safely right here!
- Combine and match nuts: the roasted pistachios and toasted almonds deliver two totally different distinct nutty flavors and crunch to this spinach salad, which I recognize, however if you happen to choose you possibly can all the time sub toasted walnuts, pecans and even candied pecans! The choices are limitless.
- Use a distinct fruit: if strawberries aren’t obtainable, strive blueberries, peaches, raspberries or blackberries. They’ll all be scrumptious.
- Make your personal DIY fruity balsamic French dressing: I’m in love with this dressing as a result of you should utilize any fruit jam you want to essentially make it your personal. Attempt raspberry, strawberry, blackberry or one thing else for a enjoyable twist!
What to pair this strawberry salad with
The choices are really limitless when pairing this superb strawberry salad. It’s the proper facet for events, potlucks or easy summer season dinners. I like to recommend:
It’s additionally good with cooked quinoa, barley, farro or couscous blended in.
Make it forward of time
Be at liberty to organize the entire components for the strawberry spinach salad forward of time, however save the dressing till you’re able to get pleasure from. Spinach can have a tendency to absorb numerous moisture, so it’s finest to benefit from the dressed salad the day-of or in the future later.
The avocado ought to keep contemporary for a few days with assist from the acidity from the balsamic. It’s also possible to add a squeeze of lemon juice if you happen to plan on storing the strawberry spinach salad earlier than dressing and serving it.
How you can retailer this strawberry spinach salad
Retailer this strawberry spinach salad in an hermetic container within the fridge, with out the dressing, for as much as 4-5 days. The dressing will keep good in a container within the fridge for as much as one week as nicely.
Extra scrumptious salads to strive
Get all of our superb salad recipes right here!
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The
Bold Kitchen
Cookbook
125 Ridiculously Good For You, Generally Indulgent, and Completely By no means Boring Recipes for Each Meal of the Day
Summer season Strawberry Spinach Salad with Avocado
Attractive summer season strawberry spinach salad topped with avocado, feta, purple onion, toasted almonds, pistachios and drizzled with a flavorful strawberry balsamic French dressing. The most effective ever strawberry salad recipe that is candy, tangy, crunchy, creamy and the proper lunch or straightforward facet dish!
Elements
- For the salad:
- 1 bundle (5 ounces) natural spinach
- 8 ounces strawberries, halved (about 2 cups halved strawberries)
- 1 massive avocado, sliced
- ½ small purple onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup feta crumbles
- â…“ cup uncooked sliced almonds
- ¼ cup chopped shelled roasted pistachios
- For the balsamic strawberry French dressing:
- 3 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, grated or finely minced
- ½ teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1/2 tablespoon strawberry jam (or jam of selection)
- Freshly floor salt and pepper, to style
Directions
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In a mason jar or small bowl, add the entire dressing components. Shake or combine nicely to mix. Style and add extra salt/pepper, if obligatory.
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Toast the almonds on the stovetop: add the almonds to a pan and place over medium warmth, stirring often for 2-5 minutes till almonds are barely golden brown. Take away from warmth and permit to chill.
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Add spinach to a big bowl, layer on the strawberries, avocado slices, purple onion, feta, toasted almonds, and chopped pistachios. Be at liberty so as to add dressing now or set it out for particular person servings. Prime salad bowls with additional toasted almonds and drizzle every bowl with 1/4 of the dressing. Serves 4.
Recipe Notes
Use a distinct fruit: if strawberries aren’t obtainable, strive blueberries, peaches, raspberries or blackberries. They’re going to all be scrumptious.
Make your personal DIY fruity balsamic French dressing: I am in love with this dressing as a result of you should utilize any fruit jam you want to essentially make it your personal. Attempt raspberry, strawberry, blackberry or one thing else for a enjoyable twist.
Vitamin
Serving: 1serving (1/4 of recipe)Energy: 340calCarbohydrates: 17.2gProtein: 8.5gFats: 28.7gSaturated Fats: 6gFiber: 6.9gSugar: 5.4g
Recipe by: Monique Volz // Bold Kitchen | Images by:Â Eat Love Eats
This submit was initially revealed on Could twenty third, 2019, republished on Could twenty third, 2021, and republished on June twenty first, 2023.
