Considered one of my absolute FAVORITE wholesome salads to make through the summer season is that this strawberry spinach salad. It was one of many first salads that my husband Tony ate with out ranch dressing and truly LOVED!
I created this recipe a number of years again and are available again to it each single summer season. It’s completely candy with hits of creaminess and crunch that make it further particular. Toss it with a simple home made balsamic French dressing (see beneath for a enjoyable berry possibility!) and serve it up as the right facet at your subsequent BBQ.
Every time we grill up burgers or hen sausages, I at all times be sure that to have these strawberry spinach salad elements available so I can whip up our very favourite.
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Components on this strawberry spinach salad
This finest ever strawberry spinach salad is full of contemporary elements to maintain it shiny, flavorful, wholesome and enjoyable to eat. You’ll want:
- Spinach: there’s one thing about strawberries and spinach collectively on this salad that simply is sensible. Be at liberty to do half arugula and half spinach for slightly extra zing when you’d like!
- Contemporary strawberries: seize a case of tremendous juicy, ripe strawberries so as to add pure sweetness to this salad.
- Avocado: you’ll love the creaminess that avocado provides to each chew. I’d advocate selecting an avocado that isn’t too ripe in order that it’s simpler to chop and add to your salad. It ought to have simply the tiniest little bit of squeeze.
- Feta: the creamy, salty taste feta offers to the salad is out of this world. You can even use goat cheese for slightly extra tang, and even gorgonzola or blue cheese crumbles.
- Purple onion: for slightly zing to go together with the creamy feta and candy strawberries. Should you’re delicate to the onion taste, merely soak the slices in water beforehand or omit out of your salad.
- Roasted pistachios: for the right, nutty crunch. Or simply use extra almonds!
- Toasted sliced almonds: the feel of sliced almonds pairs completely properly along with the pistachios.
- Do-it-yourself strawberry balsamic French dressing: an excellent straightforward dressing made with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, dijon mustard, strawberry jam, salt & pepper (or be happy to attempt my yummy tangy and candy raspberry balsamic French dressing!).
Lastly, my choice is to make use of natural spinach and natural strawberries as a result of I feel they pack extra taste and vitamins, however the selection is at all times yours.
Searching for a protein increase?
This strawberry salad recipe is scrumptious by itself or together with your favourite proteins. Right here’s what I recommend:
- 1 cup of chickpeas or cooked quinoa to maintain it vegetarian
- Grilled hen (use the strawberry balsamic French dressing as a marinade!)
- Grilled salmon
Find out how to toast almonds
You may simply toast your individual almonds proper at residence, and there are two methods to do it: on the stovetop or within the oven!
- Stovetop methodology: Add sliced almonds to a pan and place over medium warmth, stirring often for 2-5 minutes till almonds are barely golden brown. Take away from warmth and permit to chill earlier than including them to the salad.
- Oven methodology: Preheat the oven to 350 levels F. Place sliced almonds on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for six to eight minutes till aromatic and golden brown, stirring as soon as midway via baking. Watch fastidiously in order that nuts don’t burn!
Ideas for making the very best strawberry spinach salad
- Use agency avocados: firmer avocados are finest on this salad as a result of they’ll maintain their form. Try precisely the best way to minimize an avocado safely right here!
- Combine and match nuts: the roasted pistachios and toasted almonds deliver two totally different distinct nutty flavors and crunch to this spinach salad, which I admire, however when you desire you’ll be able to at all times sub toasted walnuts, pecans and even candied pecans! The choices are infinite.
- Use a distinct fruit: if strawberries aren’t obtainable, attempt blueberries, peaches, raspberries or blackberries. They’ll all be scrumptious.
- Make your individual DIY fruity balsamic French dressing: I’m in love with this dressing as a result of you should utilize any fruit jam you want to essentially make it your individual. Attempt raspberry, strawberry, blackberry or one thing else for a enjoyable twist!
What to pair this strawberry salad with
The choices are actually infinite when pairing this superb strawberry salad. It’s the right facet for events, potlucks or easy summer season dinners. I like to recommend:
It’s additionally excellent with cooked quinoa, barley, farro or couscous blended in.
Make it forward of time
Be at liberty to arrange the entire elements for the strawberry spinach salad forward of time, however save the dressing till you’re able to take pleasure in. Spinach can have a tendency to absorb plenty of moisture, so it’s finest to benefit from the dressed salad the day-of or sooner or later later.
The avocado ought to keep contemporary for a few days with assist from the acidity from the balsamic. You can even add a squeeze of lemon juice when you plan on storing the strawberry spinach salad earlier than dressing and serving it.
Find out how to retailer this strawberry spinach salad
Retailer this strawberry spinach salad in an hermetic container within the fridge, with out the dressing, for as much as 4-5 days. The dressing will keep good in a container within the fridge for as much as one week as properly.
Extra scrumptious salads to attempt
Get all of our superb salad recipes right here!
Should you make this summer season strawberry spinach salad recipe, make sure you tag #ambitiouskitchen on Instagram. We’d additionally love when you would depart a remark beneath and charge the recipe. We admire you! xo.
The
Formidable Kitchen
Cookbook
125 Ridiculously Good For You, Generally Indulgent, and Completely By no means Boring Recipes for Each Meal of the Day
Summer time Strawberry Spinach Salad with Avocado
Attractive summer season strawberry spinach salad topped with avocado, feta, crimson onion, toasted almonds, pistachios and drizzled with a flavorful strawberry balsamic French dressing. The most effective ever strawberry salad recipe that is candy, tangy, crunchy, creamy and the right lunch or straightforward facet dish!
Components
- For the salad:
- 1 package deal (5 ounces) natural spinach
- 8 ounces strawberries, halved (about 2 cups halved strawberries)
- 1 giant avocado, sliced
- ½ small crimson onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup feta crumbles
- â…“ cup uncooked sliced almonds
- ¼ cup chopped shelled roasted pistachios
- For the balsamic strawberry French dressing:
- 3 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, grated or finely minced
- ½ teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1/2 tablespoon strawberry jam (or jam of selection)
- Freshly floor salt and pepper, to style
Directions
-
In a mason jar or small bowl, add the entire dressing elements. Shake or combine properly to mix. Style and add extra salt/pepper, if essential.
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Toast the almonds on the stovetop: add the almonds to a pan and place over medium warmth, stirring often for 2-5 minutes till almonds are barely golden brown. Take away from warmth and permit to chill.
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Add spinach to a big bowl, layer on the strawberries, avocado slices, crimson onion, feta, toasted almonds, and chopped pistachios. Be at liberty so as to add dressing now or set it out for particular person servings. High salad bowls with further toasted almonds and drizzle every bowl with 1/4 of the dressing. Serves 4.
Recipe Notes
Use a distinct fruit: if strawberries aren’t obtainable, attempt blueberries, peaches, raspberries or blackberries. They’re going to all be scrumptious.
Make your individual DIY fruity balsamic French dressing: I am in love with this dressing as a result of you should utilize any fruit jam you want to essentially make it your individual. Attempt raspberry, strawberry, blackberry or one thing else for a enjoyable twist.
Diet
Serving: 1serving (1/4 of recipe)Energy: 340calCarbohydrates: 17.2gProtein: 8.5gFats: 28.7gSaturated Fats: 6gFiber: 6.9gSugar: 5.4g
Recipe by: Monique Volz // Formidable Kitchen | Images by:Â Eat Love Eats
This put up was initially printed on Could twenty third, 2019, republished on Could twenty third, 2021, and republished on June twenty first, 2023.
