Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe

Spinach: Fresh spinach leaves are the base of this salad, adding a mild, slightly sweet flavor and lots of nutrients.

Strawberries: Sliced strawberries bring a juicy sweetness and bright color that make the salad pop.

Toasted sliced almonds: These add a crunchy texture and a nutty flavor that balances the softness of the spinach and strawberries.

Feta cheese: Crumbled feta adds a creamy, salty touch that complements the sweetness of the fruit.

Balsamic vinaigrette: This dressing ties everything together with its tangy and slightly sweet taste.

When you’re ready to mix your spinach, strawberries, toasted sliced almonds, and crumbled feta cheese together, the trick is to toss everything gently. Here’s how you can do it step by step:

1. Hold the bowl with one hand to keep it steady.
2. With your other hand, use a big spoon or salad tongs to scoop from the bottom of the bowl.
3. Lift the ingredients up and over, turning them gently instead of stirring hard.
4. Repeat this motion a few times until the balsamic vinaigrette is spread evenly over the salad.

Tossing gently helps keep the spinach leaves from getting bruised or mushy. It also stops the strawberries from breaking apart and turning the whole salad into a soggy mess. Plus, it makes sure every bite has a little bit of everything, so you get that perfect mix of flavors and textures.

When I first made this salad, I was a little too rough with the tossing and ended up with a pile of smashed strawberries and wilted spinach. It didn’t look or taste as fresh as I wanted. Now, I remind myself to be gentle, and it really makes a difference. Also, I like to add the balsamic vinaigrette slowly, so I can control how much coats the salad without making it soggy.

Give gentle tossing a try next time you make this Strawberry Spinach Salad. It’s a simple move that keeps your salad fresh, colorful, and delicious!

• fresh spinach - Substitute with arugula: Arugula offers a peppery flavor that complements the sweetness of the strawberries and provides a similar leafy texture.

• fresh spinach - Substitute with kale: Kale is a hearty green that adds a slightly bitter taste and a robust texture, making it a good alternative to spinach.

• sliced strawberries - Substitute with sliced peaches: Peaches provide a sweet and juicy alternative that pairs well with the other salad ingredients.

• sliced strawberries - Substitute with sliced apples: Apples add a crisp texture and a sweet-tart flavor that can enhance the salad.

• toasted sliced almonds - Substitute with toasted walnuts: Walnuts offer a rich, buttery flavor and a similar crunchy texture to almonds.

• toasted sliced almonds - Substitute with sunflower seeds: Sunflower seeds provide a nutty taste and a crunchy texture, making them a good nut-free alternative.

• crumbled feta cheese - Substitute with goat cheese: Goat cheese has a creamy texture and tangy flavor that can replace feta in the salad.

• crumbled feta cheese - Substitute with blue cheese: Blue cheese offers a bold, tangy flavor that can add depth to the salad.

• balsamic vinaigrette - Substitute with lemon vinaigrette: Lemon vinaigrette provides a bright, citrusy flavor that complements the salad ingredients.

• balsamic vinaigrette - Substitute with honey mustard dressing: Honey mustard dressing adds a sweet and tangy flavor that pairs well with the salad's components.

• To keep your strawberry spinach salad fresh and vibrant, store it in an airtight container. This will help maintain the crispness of the spinach and the juiciness of the strawberries.

• If you plan to enjoy the salad later, consider storing the balsamic vinaigrette separately. This prevents the spinach from wilting and keeps the almonds crunchy.

• For optimal freshness, consume the salad within 1-2 days. The strawberries may release some juice, so give it a gentle toss before serving.

• If you wish to prepare the salad ahead of time, you can pre-slice the strawberries and toast the almonds. Store them separately in small containers or resealable bags.

• Freezing the salad is not recommended, as the texture of the spinach and strawberries will change upon thawing, resulting in a less appealing dish.

• However, if you must freeze components, consider freezing only the toasted almonds. They can be stored in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Simply thaw and add them to the salad when ready to serve.

• To refresh the salad, add a sprinkle of fresh feta cheese and a dash of balsamic vinaigrette just before serving. This will enhance the flavors and bring the salad back to life.

• Gently warm the toasted sliced almonds in a dry skillet over low heat. This will refresh their crunch without burning them. Add them back to the salad just before serving.

• If you prefer a slightly warm salad, lightly sauté the fresh spinach in a pan with a touch of olive oil until just wilted. Combine with the rest of the ingredients afterward.

• For a unique twist, consider warming the balsamic vinaigrette slightly in a saucepan. Drizzle it over the salad to add a comforting warmth that enhances the flavors.

• Avoid microwaving the entire salad as it can wilt the spinach and make the strawberries mushy. Instead, focus on warming individual components as needed.

• If you have leftover feta cheese, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften slightly, enhancing its creamy texture when mixed back into the salad.

• Mixing bowl: A large bowl used to combine the spinach, strawberries, almonds, and feta cheese, allowing for easy tossing of the salad ingredients.

• Salad tongs: Useful for gently tossing the salad to ensure the balsamic vinaigrette coats all ingredients evenly without bruising the spinach.

• Measuring cups: Essential for accurately measuring the spinach, strawberries, almonds, and feta cheese to maintain the balance of flavors in the salad.

• Measuring spoons: Used to measure the precise amount of balsamic vinaigrette to drizzle over the salad.

• Chef's knife: Ideal for slicing the strawberries into even pieces, ensuring they are the right size for the salad.

• Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for slicing strawberries and any other ingredients that may need preparation.

Pre-wash and dry: Wash and dry the spinach and strawberries in advance. Store them in airtight containers to keep them fresh.

Batch toast almonds: Toast a larger batch of sliced almonds and store them in a jar. This saves time for future salads.

Pre-make vinaigrette: Mix a larger quantity of balsamic vinaigrette and refrigerate. This allows you to quickly dress salads without measuring each time.

Use pre-crumbled cheese: Buy crumbled feta cheese to skip the step of crumbling it yourself.

Assemble in layers: Layer ingredients in a container for easy transport and quick assembly at serving time.