Berry Spinach Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette and Toasted Pecans Recipe
A fresh and vibrant Berry Spinach Salad combining nutrient-packed baby spinach with sweet strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, tangy feta cheese, and crunchy toasted pecans, all tossed in a homemade strawberry vinaigrette dressing. Perfect as a light lunch or a side dish for any meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 6 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1/2 cup blueberries
- 1/2 cup raspberries
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/3 cup chopped toasted pecans
Dressing
- 1/2 cup fresh strawberries
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Make the dressing: In a small blender or food processor, combine 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, apple cider vinegar, honey or maple syrup, and Dijon mustard. Blend until smooth, then slowly drizzle in olive oil while blending to emulsify the dressing. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Toast the pecans: Heat a dry skillet over medium heat and add chopped pecans. Toast, stirring frequently, for 3 to 5 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- Prepare the salad base: Place the fresh baby spinach in a large salad bowl as the foundation of your salad.
- Add the fruits and onion: Evenly distribute the sliced strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and thinly sliced red onion over the spinach.
- Add feta and pecans: Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese and cooled toasted pecans evenly atop the salad.
- Dress the salad: Drizzle the prepared strawberry vinaigrette over the salad ingredients just before serving.
- Toss and serve: Gently toss the salad to combine all ingredients with the dressing evenly. Serve immediately for the freshest flavor.
Notes
- Use fresh, ripe berries for the best flavor.
- Toast pecans carefully to avoid burning; they should be fragrant and lightly golden.
- The dressing can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 2 days.
- For a vegan version, substitute feta cheese with a plant-based cheese or omit it entirely.
- Add grilled chicken or tofu to make it a complete meal.
Keywords: berry spinach salad, fresh spinach salad, strawberry vinaigrette salad, summer salad, healthy salad recipe, vegetarian salad
