Just like mango salad or pear salad, this dish blends rich greens with a burst of fresh, sweet fruit… all with almost no effort at all. This healthy salad is ready in just 10 minutes, with 10 ingredients!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for spinach salad with strawberries, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
Spinach Strawberry Salad:
The base of this strawberry spinach salad recipe uses just 4 fresh, simple staples:
Spinach – Baby spinach leaves work best for this recipe as they have a milder flavor and are less bitter than mature varieties, but any fresh spinach will work. If you have leftover spinach, use it to make a spinach smoothie. Strawberries – Sweet and bright, strawberries are the star of the salad, but you could add other berries such as fresh blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, or even pears. Check out my fruit leather recipe for leftover ideas. Goat Cheese – If you don’t like goat cheese, you can use another cheese that crumbles well. Feta cheese will add a sharper flavor to the salad and blue cheese will add a bold and tangy flair. Almonds – I used sliced almonds, but you can use any nuts you like. My favorites are walnuts, pecans, or pistachios. For a nut-free option, use sunflower seeds instead.
Strawberry Spinach Salad Dressing:
I use my homemade poppy seed dressing recipe and it needs just 5 ingredients (plus salt) to whip up in 5 minutes: This is a common ingredient in strawberry spinach salad recipes. Sometimes I add 1/4 cup of thin red onion slices.
Mayonnaise – I use homemade avocado oil mayonnaise when I have time to make it, but this is my favorite store-bought brand when I’m in a rush. Either works! You can also use Greek yogurt for a lighter option (it will taste more tangy). Olive Oil – This spinach and strawberry salad recipe uses olive oil, but you could also use avocado oil or any oil you like. I try to avoid highly processed seed oils, like vegetable oil, but from a recipe standpoint they would work fine. Honey – I usually use sugar-free honey to keep this salad lower in sugar, but regular also works. White Vinegar – This helps emulsify the dressing and balances the sweetness. You could also use apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, or lemon juice. If you want more complex flavor, you can also add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard. Poppy Seeds – Wouldn’t be poppy seed dressing without them! They add a nice savory and nutty flavor to the dressing. Sea Salt – Adjust to taste. Feel free to add black pepper too, if you like.
How To Make Strawberry Spinach Salad
This section shows how to make spinach strawberry salad, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
Storage Instructions
Spinach salad with strawberries can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, with dressing stored separately, or up to 1-2 days with the dressing. You can store the dressing in a jar in the fridge for up to 1 week, and just give it a shake before using. If you want to meal prep, store the spinach, sliced strawberries, crumbled goat cheese, sliced almonds, and prepared dressing separately. Toss together right before serving.
What To Serve With Strawberry Spinach Salad
The fresh flavors of this strawberry and spinach salad work well as a side dish with other summery meals! Here are some ideas to serve with it:
Chicken – Slice air fryer chicken breast and add directly to the salad for a full meal. You can also pair this simple salad with grilled bruschetta chicken or grilled Mediterranean chicken kabobs. Fish & Seafood – This light salad works well with grilled shrimp skewers, flaky grilled salmon, or Cajun grilled cod. For a fancier meal, try broiled lobster tails or jerk salmon. Beef – Cook up a juicy grilled sirloin steak, your favorite burgers (or turkey burgers), or for a special meal, make some air fryer filet mignon. Soup – Enjoy a soup and salad combination with roasted cauliflower soup, silky cream of asparagus soup, or classic zuppa toscana.
More Summer Salad Recipes
Blend bright and fresh flavors together with these crowd-pleasing salads! Please enter your first name for your account. Your saved recipe will also be sent to your email. 📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Healthy Ebook Bundle!
