Calling all salad lovers! This strawberry spinach salad is the right mixture of candy and savory — recent child spinach piled excessive with juicy sliced strawberries, tangy feta crumbles, crispy crimson onion, and maple-candied almonds, all drizzled with a creamy selfmade poppyseed dressing.
It’s my go-to summer time salad as a result of it comes collectively in about quarter-hour, works as a lightweight lunch or a stunning facet dish, and tastes like one thing you’d order at a restaurant. The mixture of candy strawberries, salty feta, and crunchy candied almonds hits each notice.
Beneath I’m breaking down each element — the candied almonds, the from-scratch dressing, storage ideas, simple swaps, and what to serve alongside it to make it a full meal.
The Good Summer season Salad
Are you aware these recipes that carry you again in time? This strawberry spinach salad takes me again to highschool after I would spend all day at my neighbor’s home. Their mother would purchase essentially the most superb poppyseed dressing and it felt like there was all the time an enormous bowl of berry salad of their fridge — a complete free for all!
As an grownup, I’ve discovered that my palate for salads has modified just a bit bit. I now want a stability of candy and savory, in addition to a great combination of texture in each salad I eat. That’s precisely what this strawberry spinach salad delivers — and it’s turn out to be some of the well-liked salad recipes on Match Foodie Finds.
Strawberry Spinach Salad Substances
In case you’re planning on having a salad for a full meal, it’s necessary to pack it with nutritious elements that may hold you going all day. I selected each ingredient on this salad as a result of they complement one another fantastically and every one brings one thing totally different to the desk.
Spinach: Spinach is the leafy inexperienced of leafy greens! It’s nice with virtually any dressing and you’ll eat it chilly or sizzling. Spinach is full of iron, vitamin B, calcium, and folic acid. You get loads of bang on your buck with any spinach-based salad.
Contemporary strawberries: Not solely are strawberries completely candy and scrumptious, however additionally they provide loads of dietary worth to any meal. Strawberries are wealthy in nutritional vitamins C and Ok, and so they’re additionally an incredible supply of potassium! Be at liberty so as to add further strawberries to this salad or chop them in another way. I like to go away greater chunks, however bite-sized items work nice too. In case you love strawberries in salads, attempt my strawberry broccoli salad and strawberry quinoa salad subsequent.
Feta crumbles: Tangy, salty feta is the right counterbalance to the candy strawberries. In case you desire a creamier cheese, goat cheese is a scrumptious swap (it really works fantastically in my arugula salad).
Pink onion: I do know uncooked crimson onion will be polarizing! In case you’re not a uncooked onion particular person, try my make caramelized onions put up and use these as a substitute. Uncooked crimson onion provides a scrumptious crunch and chunk to any salad, plus it’s full of antioxidants, vitamin C, and potassium. A bit goes a good distance!
Poppyseed dressing: Don’t be afraid — making selfmade poppyseed dressing is SO simple. I take advantage of a mix of Greek yogurt, lemon juice, poppy seeds, and vinegar for a lightweight, creamy dressing that’s method higher than store-bought. Poppy seeds are recognized to assist digestion and are full of antioxidants!
Make Candied Almonds
These candied almonds had been impressed by my oil-free maple roasted pecans! You’re not going to consider how simple they’re to make — simply three elements and eight minutes within the oven.
- Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
- Toss slivered almonds with maple syrup and a pinch of salt.
- Unfold them in a single layer on the baking sheet.
- Bake at 400ºF for 8 minutes till golden and aromatic.
They arrive out candy, salty, crunchy, and utterly addicting. Almonds additionally add a wholesome dose of fiber and protein to this strawberry spinach salad!
Make Strawberry Spinach Salad
This salad couldn’t be less complicated to throw collectively. Right here’s the step-by-step:
- Make the candied almonds: Toss slivered almonds with maple syrup and salt, then bake at 400ºF for 8 minutes. Allow them to cool when you prep all the pieces else.
- Whisk the dressing: Mix olive oil, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, poppy seeds, and salt. (Full recipe in my poppyseed dressing put up.)
- Assemble the salad: Divide recent spinach amongst 4 bowls. High with sliced strawberries, feta crumbles, sliced crimson onion, and candied almonds.
- Costume and serve: Drizzle about two tablespoons of poppyseed dressing over every bowl and revel in!
Suggestions for the Finest Strawberry Spinach Salad
- Use ripe, in-season strawberries: They’re naturally sweeter and juicier, which makes an enormous distinction on this salad.
- Dry your spinach effectively: Extra moisture will dilute the dressing. A salad spinner works nice right here.
- Costume proper earlier than serving: The spinach will wilt if it sits in dressing too lengthy. If meal prepping, hold the dressing on the facet.
- Let the almonds cool utterly: They’ll crisp up as they cool. In case you add them whereas heat, they will wilt the spinach.
- Thinly slice the crimson onion: Paper-thin slices distribute higher and have a milder chunk.
Substitutions and Variations
This salad is endlessly customizable! Listed here are some simple swaps:
- Greens: Swap spinach for arugula, combined greens, or a mix. My arugula salad makes use of an analogous taste profile.
- Berries: Blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries all work fantastically instead of (or along with) strawberries.
- Cheese: Attempt goat cheese, recent mozzarella, or shaved Parmesan as a substitute of feta.
- Nuts: Candied pecans, walnuts, or pistachios are all scrumptious alternate options. My summer time salad with honey roasted pistachios makes use of an analogous idea.
- Dressing: A easy balsamic French dressing or any of my favourite dressings would work right here too.
- Make it vegan: Skip the feta and Greek yogurt within the dressing — use a easy olive oil and lemon French dressing as a substitute.
What to Serve with Strawberry Spinach Salad
This salad works as a lightweight lunch by itself, however if you wish to flip it into an even bigger meal, listed here are my favourite pairings:
- Grilled rooster: My juicy grilled rooster is the simplest method so as to add protein. Slice it proper on high!
- Salmon: A chunk of pan-seared salmon pairs fantastically with the candy berries and tangy feta.
- Grilled California rooster: My grilled California rooster is one other nice summer time protein possibility.
- Soup: Hold it gentle with a cup of soup on the facet for an ideal lunch combo.
- Crusty bread: A slice of heat sourdough by no means hurts alongside an enormous salad!
Retailer and Meal Prep
This strawberry spinach salad is improbable for meal prep! Right here’s how I do it:
- Meal prep containers: Divide the spinach, strawberries, feta, and crimson onion into 4 containers. Hold the candied almonds and dressing in separate small containers so nothing will get soggy.
- Storage: The prepped elements will final 3–4 days within the fridge. Add the almonds and dressing proper earlier than consuming.
- Dressing: The poppyseed dressing retains for as much as 1 week in an hermetic jar within the fridge. Give it a great shake earlier than utilizing.
- Candied almonds: Retailer in an hermetic container at room temperature for as much as 1 week. They’ll keep good and crunchy!
Strawberry Spinach Salad FAQ
Can I make strawberry spinach salad forward of time?
Sure! Prep all the elements and retailer them individually within the fridge for as much as 4 days. Hold the dressing and candied almonds in their very own containers and add them proper earlier than serving so nothing will get soggy.
What protein goes effectively with strawberry spinach salad?
Grilled rooster, pan-seared salmon, and shrimp are all glorious choices. Even a handful of chickpeas or some edamame will enhance the protein if you wish to hold it vegetarian.
Can I take advantage of a distinct dressing?
Completely! A easy balsamic French dressing, raspberry French dressing, or perhaps a gentle lemon dressing would pair effectively with the strawberries and spinach. Try my favourite salad dressing recipes for extra concepts.
Is strawberry spinach salad wholesome?
Sure! Spinach is full of iron, nutritional vitamins, and calcium. Strawberries are wealthy in vitamin C and antioxidants. The selfmade poppyseed dressing makes use of Greek yogurt as a substitute of mayo, conserving it lighter than most store-bought choices. It’s a nutrient-dense salad that’s additionally naturally gluten-free.
Extra Salad Recipes to Attempt
Candied Slivered Almonds
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First, spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Then, lay slivered almonds down on the baking sheet and drizzle with maple syrup and season with a pinch of salt. Bake at 400ºF for 8 minutes.
- Diet doesn’t embody poppy seed dressing.
Energy: 270 kcal, Carbohydrates: 24 g, Protein: 12 g, Fats: 16 g, Fiber: 7 g, Sugar: 12 g
Diet data is routinely calculated, so ought to solely be used as an approximation.
