Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad (Printable Version)

Vibrant blend of strawberries, spinach, feta, and toasted almonds in a light dressing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad

01 - 5 oz baby spinach, washed and dried
02 - 8 oz fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
03 - 3.5 oz feta cheese, crumbled
04 - 0.5 cup sliced almonds
05 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced

→ Dressing

06 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
08 - 1 tablespoon honey
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - Heat sliced almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant. Transfer to a plate and allow to cool completely.
02 - Whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until well emulsified.
03 - Combine baby spinach, sliced strawberries, crumbled feta, and red onion in a large salad bowl.
04 - Drizzle dressing over salad and toss gently to distribute evenly without bruising the strawberries or spinach.
05 - Sprinkle toasted almonds over the salad immediately before serving to maintain their crunch.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in twenty minutes, no cooking required except for five minutes of toasting almonds.
  • The contrast between sweet strawberries, tangy feta, and crunchy almonds makes every bite interesting.
  • It actually tastes even better when you use whatever fresh produce you have on hand rather than following it exactly.
02 -
  • Don't dress the salad more than fifteen minutes before serving or the spinach will start to wilt and become too soft.
  • The almonds really do need to be toasted separately—raw or pre-toasted ones won't have that same roasted depth that makes the whole thing feel complete.
03 -
  • Make the dressing the night before and let it sit in the fridge—the flavors meld together and taste even better the next day.
  • If you're making this for a crowd, toast extra almonds because they're always the first thing people eat out of the bowl.
Go Back