Description
A refreshing and easy-to-make Strawberry Spinach Salad featuring fresh spinach, ripe strawberries, tangy feta cheese, crunchy walnuts, and a sweet balsamic honey dressing. Perfect for a light lunch or a colorful side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 8 cups Fresh Spinach (Loosely packed, vibrant green leaves)
- 2 cups Strawberries (Hulled and sliced, ripe and bright red)
- 1 cup Feta Cheese (Crumble for a salty, creamy component)
- 1 small Red Onion (Thinly sliced)
- 1/2 cup Walnuts (Chopped for crunch)
Dressing
- 1/4 cup Olive Oil (Extra virgin for richness)
- 2 tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar (Adds tangy sweetness)
- 1 tablespoon Honey (Enhances the dressing’s sweetness)
- Salt and Pepper (To taste)
Instructions
- Prepare Spinach: Wash the spinach thoroughly under cold water and spin dry to remove excess moisture, ensuring the leaves are clean and crisp.
- Prepare Strawberries: Hull and slice the strawberries into thin pieces and set them aside for the salad.
- Prepare Onion: Thinly slice the red onion. Optionally, soak the slices in cold water to mellow the flavor if desired.
- Chop Walnuts: Chop the walnuts into smaller pieces to add a crunchy texture to the salad.
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper until the mixture emulsifies into a smooth dressing.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the spinach, sliced strawberries, red onion, crumbled feta, and chopped walnuts. Toss gently to mix evenly.
- Add Dressing: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad and toss gently again to coat all ingredients thoroughly.
- Final Seasoning and Serve: Taste the salad and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if necessary. Serve immediately to enjoy the freshness of the ingredients.
Notes
- Soaking onion slices in cold water reduces their sharpness and makes the salad milder.
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor and sweetness.
- Walnuts can be toasted lightly for added flavor and crunch.
- This salad is best served immediately after dressing to prevent the spinach from wilting.
- You can substitute walnuts with pecans or almonds depending on preference or availability.
