Strawberry Spinach Walnut Salad (Printable)

Fresh strawberries, tender spinach, crunchy walnuts, and balsamic vinaigrette combine in a vibrant salad.

# What You Need:

→ Salad Components

01 - 5 ounces baby spinach leaves, washed and thoroughly dried
02 - 8 ounces fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced into quarters
03 - ½ cup walnuts, roughly chopped
04 - ½ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
05 - 2 tablespoons red onion, thinly sliced

→ Balsamic Vinaigrette

06 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 1½ 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

# How to Make It:

01 - Place baby spinach, sliced strawberries, chopped walnuts, crumbled feta cheese (if using), and red onion slices in a large salad bowl. Toss ingredients gently to distribute evenly.
02 - Whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey (or maple syrup), and Dijon mustard in a small bowl or sealable jar. Continue whisking vigorously until the mixture emulsifies into a smooth, thickened dressing. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
03 - Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad immediately before serving. Gently toss the salad to ensure all components are lightly coated with dressing. Serve promptly as an appetizer or light main course.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The way sweet strawberries meet tangy balsamic creates that perfect sweet-savory dance your cravings have been looking for
  • It comes together in fifteen minutes flat but looks like something straight from a restaurant menu
  • The crunch of walnuts against tender spinach gives you that satisfying texture variety in every single bite
02 -
  • The dressing will separate if you make it too far ahead, so whisk it again right before pouring or give it a good shake in your jar
  • Spinach holds up better than delicate mixed greens, but do not let it sit dressed for more than twenty minutes or it becomes sad and wilted
03 -
  • Use a salad spinner to get spinach completely dry because water on the leaves prevents the dressing from sticking
  • Taste your strawberries first and adjust the honey in the dressing based on their natural sweetness

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