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Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe Easy Homemade with Sweet Balsamic Glaze

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A fresh and vibrant salad combining sweet strawberries, crisp spinach, tangy feta, and toasted nuts, all brought together with a sweet balsamic glaze. Perfect for quick meals, potlucks, or a healthy snack.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups fresh baby spinach leaves (about 180 grams)
  • 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced (about 300 grams)
  • ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced (about 40 grams)
  • ½ cup crumbled feta cheese (about 75 grams)
  • ½ cup toasted pecans or walnuts, chopped (about 50 grams)
  • ¼ cup sweet balsamic glaze (about 60 ml)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (about 30 ml)
  • 1 teaspoon honey (optional, about 7 grams)
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Wash and dry spinach: Rinse the baby spinach leaves under cold water, then spin dry or pat gently with a kitchen towel to keep the salad crisp and fresh (about 5 minutes).
  2. Slice strawberries: Remove the green tops, then slice each strawberry into thin pieces, roughly ¼ inch thick (about 6 mm).
  3. Thinly slice red onion: Cut into fine half-moons. If raw onion is too sharp, soak slices briefly in cold water to mellow the bite.
  4. Toast the nuts: In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast pecans or walnuts for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly browned. Let cool before adding.
  5. Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, sweet balsamic glaze, honey (if using), a pinch of salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Taste and adjust sweetness or acidity as desired.
  6. Combine salad ingredients: In a large bowl, gently toss the spinach, strawberries, and onion slices. Add the crumbled feta and toasted nuts last to keep their texture.
  7. Dress the salad: Drizzle the balsamic dressing over the salad and toss lightly to coat everything evenly, being gentle to avoid crushing the berries or wilting the spinach.
  8. Serve immediately for the freshest experience. If prepping ahead, keep the dressing separate and add just before serving.

Notes

Use fresh, ripe strawberries for best flavor. Toast nuts carefully to avoid burning. Keep dressing light and add gradually to prevent sogginess. Store salad and dressing separately if prepping ahead. Frozen strawberries can be used if thawed and drained well. Substitute feta with goat cheese or dairy-free cheese for dairy-free option. Nuts can be replaced with pumpkin seeds or omitted for allergies.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry spinach salad, balsamic glaze salad, fresh salad recipe, easy salad, healthy salad, summer salad, quick salad

Find it online: https://blingbite.com/fresh-strawberry-spinach-salad-recipe-easy-homemade-with-sweet-balsamic-glaze/