15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad

Strawberry Spinach Salad is a delightful and nutritious dish that can be whipped up in just 15 minutes! This vibrant salad combines fresh spinach, juicy strawberries, and crunchy pecans, making it an ideal side for weeknight dinners or festive gatherings. With its simple balsamic dressing and a sprinkle of feta cheese, this salad is sure to impress family and friends on any occasion.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick to Prepare: This salad comes together in just 15 minutes, making it the perfect option for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings.
• Fresh Flavors: The combination of strawberries, blueberries, and feta cheese creates a delicious contrast of sweet and savory flavors.
• Versatile Dish: Great as a side or main dish, this salad pairs well with various proteins like chicken or turkey.
• Nutritious Ingredients: Packed with vitamins from spinach and antioxidants from berries, it’s a healthy choice for any meal.
• Crowd-Pleasing: This colorful salad is visually appealing and delicious, making it a hit at potlucks and picnics.

Tools and Preparation

To make your 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad effortlessly, having the right tools is essential. Here’s what you’ll need:

Essential Tools and Equipment

• Salad bowl
• Whisk
• Measuring cups
• Knife
• Cutting board

Importance of Each Tool

• Salad bowl: A large bowl allows you to mix all ingredients thoroughly without spilling.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending the dressing ingredients smoothly for an even flavor distribution.

Ingredients

For the Dressing

• 1 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup honey (or brown sugar)

For the Salad

• 10 oz baby spinach (fresh)
• 3 cups strawberries (cleaned and hulled, sliced)
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1/3 cup feta cheese (crumbled)
• 1 cup pecans (toasted, some of them chopped)

How to Make 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad

Step 1: Make the Dressing

1. In a small bowl, combine the balsamic vinegar and honey (or brown sugar).
2. Whisk until well blended and smooth.

Step 2: Prepare the Salad Ingredients

1. Rinse the baby spinach under cold water and pat dry.
2. Slice the strawberries after cleaning and hulling them.
3. Toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes until fragrant.

Step 3: Assemble the Salad

1. In a large salad bowl, add the fresh spinach.
2. Top with sliced strawberries, blueberries, crumbled feta cheese, and toasted pecans.
3. Drizzle with the prepared balsamic dressing before serving.

Enjoy your deliciously fresh 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad!

How to Serve 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad

This 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad is not only quick to prepare but also versatile in serving. It pairs beautifully with various main dishes and can be served as a light meal or a refreshing side.

As a Standalone Meal

• Enjoy it by itself for a light lunch or dinner. The combination of spinach, strawberries, and feta offers a satisfying meal.

With Grilled Chicken

• Pair the salad with grilled chicken breast for added protein. The flavors complement each other wonderfully.

At Picnics and Potlucks

• This salad is perfect for outdoor gatherings. Its vibrant colors and fresh taste will impress your friends and family.

Alongside Sandwiches

• Serve it with your favorite sandwich for a delightful combination of flavors. It adds freshness to any meal.

As an Elegant Side Dish

• Use this salad as an elegant side dish for holiday dinners or special occasions. Its presentation will elevate your table setting.

How to Perfect 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad

To achieve the best flavor and texture in your 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad, consider these helpful tips.

• Use fresh ingredients: Fresh strawberries and baby spinach make a significant difference in taste. Always choose high-quality produce.

• Toast the pecans: Toasting enhances the nutty flavor of pecans. You can do this quickly in a dry skillet over medium heat.

• Make dressing ahead: Prepare the balsamic dressing in advance for convenience. Store it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.

• Adjust sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter salad, add more honey or brown sugar to the dressing according to your taste.

• Add variety: Experiment with additional fruits like mandarin oranges or apples for extra flavor and texture.

• Serve chilled: For a refreshing experience, chill the salad before serving, especially on hot days.

Best Side Dishes for 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad

Looking to round out your meal? Here are some excellent side dishes that pair well with your 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad.

1. Grilled Chicken Skewers: Juicy chicken pieces grilled on skewers add protein and flavor, making this dish hearty.

2. Quinoa Pilaf: A flavorful quinoa pilaf with herbs can complement the salad’s freshness while adding whole grains.

3. Roasted Vegetables: Seasonal roasted vegetables bring warmth and depth to your meal, balancing the coolness of the salad.

4. Stuffed Bell Peppers: Colorful bell peppers stuffed with rice, beans, or vegetables offer a filling option alongside the light salad.

5. Garlic Bread: Warm garlic bread provides comfort and is an excellent accompaniment for those who enjoy carbs with their salads.

6. Pasta Primavera: A light pasta dish loaded with fresh vegetables can serve as a satisfying complement without overpowering the salad.

7. Hummus and Pita Chips: This easy-to-prepare snack adds Mediterranean flair while being healthy and delicious.

8. Cheese Platter: A selection of cheeses can be served on a platter for guests to nibble while enjoying their salad.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Making the 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad is simple, but there are a few common mistakes that can affect the outcome.

• Using stale ingredients: Freshness matters! Always use fresh spinach and strawberries for the best flavor and texture.
• Overdressing the salad: Too much dressing can make the salad soggy. Start with a small amount and add more as needed.
• Skipping the toasting step: Toasting pecans enhances their flavor. Don’t skip this step; it makes a big difference!
• Ignoring portion sizes: Be mindful of serving sizes to keep your salad balanced and healthy. Adjust ingredient amounts based on your needs.
• Mixing too early: Combine ingredients just before serving to maintain freshness and crunch.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Refrigerator Storage

• Duration: Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
• Containers: Use an airtight container to keep the salad fresh.

Freezing 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad

• Not recommended: It is best not to freeze this salad, as fresh ingredients may lose their texture and flavor.

Reheating 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad

• Oven: Not applicable; serve cold.
• Microwave: Not recommended; best enjoyed fresh.
• Stovetop: Not applicable; serve cold.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about the 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad that may help you out.

Can I customize the ingredients for my 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad?

Yes! Feel free to add other fruits like apples or nuts. You can also swap feta cheese for another cheese variety if desired.

How do I keep my 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad from getting soggy?

To avoid sogginess, dress your salad just before serving. Store dressing separately until you’re ready to enjoy it.

What is the nutritional value of the 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad?

This salad offers approximately 264 calories per serving, with healthy fats from pecans, vitamins from spinach and strawberries, and a bit of protein from feta cheese.

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

While it’s best served fresh, you can prepare the chopped ingredients in advance. Just store them separately until you are ready to mix and serve.

Final Thoughts

The 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad is not only quick and easy but also colorful and nutritious. This versatile dish pairs well with many meals or stands alone as a light lunch. Feel free to customize it by adding your favorite fruits or nuts!

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15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad

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• Author: Olivia
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: Serves 6

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Description

Discover the vibrant flavors of the 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad, a delightful dish that brings together fresh spinach, juicy strawberries, and crunchy pecans for a meal that’s both nutritious and visually appealing. Perfect as a side for weeknight dinners or as a light lunch, this salad is dressed with a simple balsamic vinaigrette that balances the sweetness of the fruits with savory notes. Its quick preparation makes it an ideal choice for those busy days when you want to impress family and friends without spending hours in the kitchen. Enjoy this refreshing salad at picnics, potlucks, or as an elegant accompaniment to your favorite proteins like grilled chicken or turkey.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 10 oz baby spinach (fresh)
• 3 cups strawberries (cleaned and hulled, sliced)
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup honey (or brown sugar)
• 1/3 cup feta cheese (crumbled)
• 1 cup pecans (toasted, some of them chopped)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the dressing by whisking together balsamic vinegar and honey until smooth.
2. Rinse baby spinach and pat dry. Slice strawberries after cleaning them.
3. Toast pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes until fragrant.
4. In a large salad bowl, combine spinach, strawberries, blueberries, crumbled feta, and toasted pecans.
5. Drizzle with dressing just before serving.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Salad
• Method: No cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cup (150g)
• Calories: 264
• Sugar: 18g
• Sodium: 84mg
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 29g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 8mg