Nothing beats the fresh, vibrant taste of a perfectly balanced walnut strawberry spinach salad when you're craving something light yet satisfying for breakfast or any meal of the day. This colorful breakfast salad combines the earthy richness of baby spinach, the natural sweetness of ripe strawberries, and the satisfying crunch of toasted walnuts in every single bite.
I've been making this walnut strawberry spinach salad for years, and it never fails to impress guests at spring breakfast gatherings or provide a quick, nutritious meal when I'm short on time. The beauty of this walnut strawberry spinach salad lies in its simplicity; you can have this gorgeous dish ready in just 10 minutes with ingredients you probably already have on hand.
Why This Fresh Spinach Salad Recipe Stands Out
This particular walnut strawberry spinach salad recipe has become my go-to for several reasons. First, the combination of sweet and savory flavors creates a perfect harmony that satisfies both your taste buds and nutritional needs. The fresh strawberry slices provide natural sweetness and vitamin C, while the toasted walnuts add heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and protein.
What makes this walnut strawberry spinach salad truly special is how each ingredient complements the others without overpowering the delicate baby spinach leaves. The balsamic vinaigrette ties everything together with its tangy-sweet profile, creating a restaurant-quality salad you can easily make at home. This walnut strawberry spinach salad works perfectly as a light lunch, dinner side dish, or even an elegant starter for dinner parties.
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Ingredients
For the Salad Base:
- Fresh baby spinach leaves
- Ripe strawberries, hulled and sliced
- Toasted walnuts, roughly chopped
- Crumbled goat cheese or feta cheese (optional)
- Red onion, thinly sliced
For the Balsamic Vinaigrette:
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar
- Honey
- Dijon mustard
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Optional Add-ins:
- Dried cranberries
- Sunflower seeds
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Prepare Your Ingredients
- Wash the baby spinach leaves thoroughly in cold water and pat completely dry with paper towels or use a salad spinner.
- Hull and slice the strawberries into ¼-inch thick pieces; set aside in a large bowl.
- Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden.
- Thinly slice the red onion and soak in cold water for 5 minutes to reduce sharpness.
Make the Balsamic Dressing
- In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard until well combined.
- Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking continuously to create an emulsion.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Set the dressing aside; it will keep at room temperature while you assemble the salad.
Assemble the Salad
- Place the clean, dry spinach leaves in a large serving bowl as your base layer.
- Arrange the sliced strawberries evenly over the spinach leaves.
- Sprinkle the toasted walnuts and drained red onion slices on top.
- Add crumbled goat cheese if using, distributing it evenly across the walnut strawberry spinach salad.
Dress and Serve
- Just before serving, drizzle the balsamic vinaigrette over the entire salad.
- Gently toss all ingredients together using salad tongs or clean hands.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or honey as needed.
- Serve immediately while the spinach leaves are still crisp and fresh.
- Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Wash, slice, and prep all ingredients.
- Step 2: Make the Balsamic Dressing
Whisk balsamic vinaigrette ingredients together.
- Step 3: Assemble the Salad
Layer spinach, strawberries, walnuts, and cheese.
- Step 4: Dress and Serve
Drizzle dressing, toss, and serve immediately.
Expert Cooking Tips
Creating the perfect walnut strawberry spinach salad requires attention to a few key details that make all the difference. Here are my tried-and-tested tips for success:
Ingredient Preparation Secrets:
- Always dry your spinach completely after washing; excess water will dilute the dressing and make your salad soggy
- Toast walnuts just until fragrant; over-toasting creates bitterness that competes with the sweet strawberries
- Choose strawberries that are firm but ripe; they should give slightly to gentle pressure but not be mushy
Assembly and Serving Tips:
- Add the dressing just before serving to prevent the spinach from wilting
- If preparing ahead, keep all components separate and assemble at the last minute
- Chill your serving bowl in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before assembling for an extra-fresh presentation
- Cut strawberries uniform size for even distribution and professional appearance
Recipe Variations & Substitutions
This versatile walnut strawberry spinach salad adapts beautifully to different dietary preferences and seasonal ingredient availability. Here are some delicious variations to try:
Protein Additions:
- Add 4 oz grilled chicken breast, sliced thin, for a complete meal
- Include ½ cup cooked quinoa for plant-based protein and fiber
- Top with 2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced, for additional protein and richness
Cheese Substitutions:
- Swap goat cheese for crumbled blue cheese for a stronger flavor profile
- Use fresh mozzarella pearls for a milder taste
- Try aged cheddar, cubed small, for a sharper contrast to the sweet strawberries
Seasonal Fruit Variations:
- Replace strawberries with fresh blueberries or blackberries in summer
- Use sliced pears or apples during fall months
- Add dried cranberries or pomegranate seeds in winter when fresh berries are expensive
Nut and Seed Options:
- Substitute pecans or almonds for walnuts
- Use sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for nut-free versions
- Try candied walnuts for extra sweetness and crunch
Equipment Recommendations
Making this walnut strawberry spinach salad requires minimal equipment, but having the right tools makes the process smoother and more enjoyable:
- Large mixing bowl: Choose one that's big enough to toss all ingredients without spilling
- Salad spinner: Essential for properly drying spinach leaves; a paper towel method works as backup
- Sharp paring knife: For hulling strawberries and slicing them evenly
- Small whisk: Perfect for creating a smooth, emulsified balsamic vinaigrette
- Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures proper ingredient ratios for consistent results
- Large serving bowl: Glass or ceramic bowls showcase the colorful ingredients beautifully
- Salad tongs: Makes tossing and serving much easier than using forks
Storage & Meal Prep Tips
While this walnut strawberry spinach salad tastes best when served immediately, you can prepare components ahead for quick assembly later.
Make-Ahead Components:
- Wash and dry spinach leaves up to 2 days ahead; store in refrigerator wrapped in paper towels
- Toast walnuts up to 1 week ahead; store in airtight container at room temperature
- Prepare balsamic vinaigrette up to 3 days ahead; store in refrigerator and bring to room temperature before using
Assembly and Storage Guidelines:
- Never dress the entire salad ahead of time; the acid in the dressing will wilt the spinach
- If you must store dressed salad, consume within 2 hours for best quality
- Store leftover undressed components separately in refrigerator for up to 2 days
- Slice strawberries no more than 4 hours ahead to prevent them from becoming too soft
Meal Prep Strategy: Prepare individual mason jar salads by layering dressing on bottom, then sturdy ingredients like walnuts and cheese, followed by strawberries, and spinach on top. When ready to eat, shake and pour into a bowl.
The Secret That Changed Everything
After years of making various spinach salads, I discovered two game-changing secrets that transformed my walnut strawberry spinach salad from good to absolutely incredible. The first secret involves the strawberries themselves; instead of simply slicing them, I lightly macerate a portion of the strawberries with a pinch of sugar for about 10 minutes before adding them to the salad.
This technique releases the natural strawberry juices, which then mingle with the balsamic dressing to create an intensely fruity vinaigrette that coats every leaf. The second secret is temperature contrast; I serve the walnut strawberry spinach salad with slightly warm toasted walnuts on top of the chilled spinach and strawberries. This temperature difference creates an amazing sensory experience that elevates the entire dish.
FAQ
What dressing goes on spinach and strawberry salad?
A balsamic vinaigrette works perfectly with walnut strawberry spinach salad because its tangy-sweet flavor complements both the earthy spinach and sweet strawberries. The acidity balances the richness of walnuts while highlighting the natural fruit flavors.
What salad dressing goes well with strawberries?
Besides balsamic vinaigrette, strawberries pair beautifully with poppy seed dressing, honey mustard vinaigrette, or a simple lemon olive oil dressing. The key is choosing dressings that won't overpower the delicate strawberry flavor.
What is a good dressing for a spinach salad?
Spinach leaves work well with warm bacon dressing, balsamic vinaigrette, or citrus-based dressings. For this walnut strawberry spinach salad, balsamic vinaigrette is ideal because it complements all the ingredients without masking their individual flavors.
Can you eat strawberries and spinach together?
Absolutely! Strawberries and spinach create a perfect nutritional partnership, providing vitamin C, folate, iron, and antioxidants. This combination has been popular in salads for decades and offers both great taste and excellent health benefits.
Perfect Pairings for Your Next Meal
This vibrant walnut strawberry spinach salad pairs wonderfully with other fresh, healthy recipes that complement its light, refreshing nature. The natural sweetness and crisp texture make it an ideal companion for protein-rich dishes or other nutrient-dense salads.
Consider serving this walnut strawberry spinach salad alongside a Chickpea Feta Avocado Salad Recipe for a complete plant-based meal that provides protein, healthy fats, and plenty of fiber. The Mediterranean flavors in the chickpea salad create a beautiful contrast to the sweet-tart profile of the walnut strawberry spinach salad. Alternatively, pair it with a Lemon Garlic Kale Salad Recipe for a double-dose of leafy greens that offers different textures and complementary flavors, making your meal both satisfying and incredibly nutritious.
Ashley Morgan
"Sharing fresh, simple, and happy flavors from my kitchen to yours."
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Walnut Strawberry Spinach Salad
Equipment
- 1 Large mixing bowl
- 1 Small whisk
- 1 Salad spinner or paper towels
- 1 Paring knife
- 1 Cutting board
Ingredients
Salad Base
- 6 cups fresh baby spinach leaves thoroughly washed and dried
- 1 ½ cups ripe strawberries hulled and sliced
- 0.75 cup toasted walnuts roughly chopped
- ½ cup crumbled goat cheese or feta cheese optional
- ¼ medium red onion thinly sliced
Balsamic Vinaigrette
- 3 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Optional Add-ins
- 2 tablespoon dried cranberries
- ¼ cup sunflower seeds
- fresh mint leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Prep all salad ingredients: wash and dry spinach, hull and slice strawberries, chop walnuts, and slice red onion.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, and season with salt and pepper.
- In a large mixing bowl, layer spinach, strawberries, walnuts, cheese, and onion.
- Drizzle with dressing just before serving and toss gently to combine.
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