15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe
This refreshing 15-minute strawberry spinach salad features a vibrant mix of fresh baby spinach, juicy strawberries, and blueberries, all tossed together with crumbled feta cheese and toasted pecans. The salad is beautifully finished with a homemade balsamic glaze dressing that adds a sweet and tangy flavor, making it a perfect light meal or side dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Dressing – Balsamic Glaze
- 1 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup honey (or brown sugar)
Salad
- 10 oz baby spinach (fresh)
- 3 cups strawberries (cleaned, hulled, sliced)
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1/3 cup feta cheese (crumbled)
- 1 cup pecans (toasted, some chopped)
Instructions
- Prepare the Balsamic Glaze: In a small saucepan, heat 1 cup balsamic vinegar with 1/4 cup honey over medium heat until it begins to boil gently.
- Simmer the Glaze: Reduce heat to low and simmer the mixture, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and reduces by about half, approximately 10 minutes.
- Cool the Glaze: Remove the saucepan from heat and transfer the glaze to a heat-proof bowl to cool. The glaze will thicken further as it cools. Ensure the consistency is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon but not overly thick.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, toss together 10 oz fresh baby spinach, 3 cups sliced strawberries, 1 cup blueberries, and 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese.
- Portion the Salad: Divide the mixed salad equally into individual serving bowls.
- Garnish and Dress: Top each serving with toasted pecans (some whole, some chopped), then drizzle the balsamic glaze over each salad portion to serve.
Notes
- The balsamic glaze can be made a day ahead and refrigerated. Reheat gently before serving if it becomes too thick.
- For a vegan option, substitute honey with maple syrup and omit feta cheese or use a vegan alternative.
- To toast pecans: spread them on a baking sheet and toast at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes or until fragrant.
- Adjust sweetness of the glaze according to taste by varying the amount of honey or brown sugar.
- This salad is best served fresh to preserve the texture of the spinach and fruit.
Keywords: strawberry spinach salad, balsamic glaze, fresh salad, healthy salad, quick salad recipe, vegetarian salad, fruit and spinach salad
