This Spinach Salad with Strawberries Recipe is perfect for those summer months when it’s too hot to turn on the oven or you don’t feel like cooking! It’s fast, fresh, flavourful, and the perfect homemade poppy seed dressing sends it over the top!
We all have those summer days. You know, the ones? When it’s too dang hot and sticky to even think about turning on the oven. Heck, it’s too hot and sticky to even remotely feel like cooking and just the thought of it makes you want to jump in an ice bath. Yeah. *Those* days.
Well it’s time to say hellllllo to this perfect-for-summer spinach salad with strawberries. I mean, just that alone sounds so fresh, refreshing and just screams summer. Am I right? Add some spicy toasted pecans and slivered almonds, crumbled goat cheese, crisp red onion, and fresh chopped basil and you know we’ve got a winner on our hands. I don’t even have to mention the quick and easy homemade lemon poppy seed dressing, now do I?
You guys already knnnnow I’m a self-proclaimed salad queen. Not only do I love eating salads but I love making them (on the reg!). It’s not rare for me to serve a salad and only a salad for lunch or dinner. And for the record, my grown man of a boyfriend never has a single complaint.
I’m not even lying when I tell you that my favourite food as a kid growing up was legitimately salad. Ok, and maybe tacos. But salad has always had a special place in my heart… even since the beginning of time!
Yes, this spinach salad with strawberries might have summer written all over it. But that doesn’t mean I don’t gulp it down any time of year! It’s hard not to when something is as quick to make and delicious as this! 😉 And did I mention that it just so happens to be Keto friendly. Now we’re talkin’…
WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE THIS SPINACH SALAD WITH STRAWBERRIES RECIPE
This delicious strawberry spinach salad is packed and loaded with fresh, healthy, and wholesome ingredients! Let’s get into them in a little bit more detail down below:
- Spinach: The base of this fresh, summer salad. Fresh baby spinach works best in this recipe. However, if you don’t like spinach or don’t have any on hand, feel free to switch it up. Arugula, kale, lettuce, or mixed baby greens all make great alternatives.
- Strawberries: The star of the show in this spinach salad recipe! They add a natural sweetness and juicy freshness to the salad that is perfect for those hot summer months. For best results, make sure your strawberries are ripe, fresh and juicy! If you’re looking to switch things up a bit, try replacing the strawberries with blueberries, mandarin oranges, mango, or dried cranberries.
- Goat Cheese: Adds a soft, tangy creaminess to this spinach salad with strawberries. IMHO, it’s the perfect pairing for the pecans and strawberries. However, if you don’t have any goat cheese on hand, try using a different kind of cheese. Blue cheese or gorgonzola, parmesan, and feta all make great options for this spinach strawberry salad.
- Red Onion: Adds crispness, freshness, and the perfect oniony bite to the salad. White onion will also work great in this recipe. If you’re sensitive to the flavour of onions or are worried about it overpowering the salad, simply soak the slices in water beforehand or omit them from your salad completely.
- Pecans and Slivered Almonds: Add a nice crunchy texture and spicy bite to the salad. They’re coated in butter and doused in cayenne, cinnamon, and salt for an extra boost of flavour. Trust me, toasting the pecans makes all the difference! You can always switch up the type of nut, if you prefer. Walnuts, peanuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or pistachios are great alternatives. But whatever you do, be sure to toast them!
- Basil: Adds a herby freshness to the salad that balances out the flavour of the rest of the ingredients. Basil and strawberries are like a match made in heaven (IYKYK). Therefore, fresh basil is best in this recipe.
- Poppy Seed Dressing: Homemade, of course. 10 minutes and simple ingredients take this spinach salad with strawberries recipe over the top! Check out my recipe for the simple lemon poppy seed dressing.
HOW TO MAKE SPINACH SALAD WITH STRAWBERRIES (KEY TIPS)
You can find full instructions for how to make this healthy spinach salad with strawberries in the recipe card down below, but here are a few quick tips to keep in mind for this recipe:
- Use fresh ingredients. Freshness definitely matters when it comes to salads as most of the time the ingredients are kept raw. Fresh is best and will absolutely make a difference in your overall salad!
- Keep a close eye on the nuts while they’re toasting to ensure they don’t burn. Nuts can go from good to burnt in no time at all so keep stirring and check on them frequently. Once they start to brown, remove them from the heat.
- Spread the ingredients out over top of the spinach for best results. I like to sprinkle them on in layers, so to speak. That way, you have a better chance of getting all of the ingredients in one bite. EXTRA TIP: When eating the salad, be sure to give it a thorough mix so all the ingredients are evenly distributed and coated in the dressing before enjoying.
- Don’t put the dressing on too soon or you’ll run the risk of the salad losing it’s freshness and wilting. Instead, top the salad with the lemon poppy seed dressing just before serving or eating. EXTRA TIP: If you anticipate leftovers, don’t dress the entire salad all at once and store the dressing and salad in separate containers until ready to eat again.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
This homemade lemon poppy seed dressing is honestly the perfect pairing for this spinach strawberry salad! It adds the perfect citrusy notes, freshness, and texture to the salad. It’s so easy to make with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand and it’s ready in just 10 minutes!
However, if you’re feeling something a little different try it with this creamy roasted sesame dressing, creamy blue cheese dressing or this healthy Greek yogurt ranch dressing instead!
If you’re looking to make this salad an even more hearty meal, try adding some protein on top before serving. Grilled chicken or air fried chicken breasts, chickpeas, quinoa, parmesan crusted fish, pork skewers, or hard boiled eggs are always great additions to any meal. A light soup such as this Keto cauliflower soup or 5 minute egg drop soup also pair really well with this salad.
Because we’re using fresh ingredients, this salad is best if consumed immediately. However, if you have leftovers store them in an airtight container separate from the dressing. Keep them in the fridge and eat within a day as the juiciness of the strawberries and creaminess of the goat cheese will also contribute to the salad turning soggy over time.
PRO TIP: If you anticipate leftovers, don’t dress the entire salad at once as the dressing will make the salad soggy the longer it sits. Instead, only dress what you’re going to eat and then store the leftover dressing and salad in separate containers to preserve freshness.
LOVE SPINACH SALADS? Then you have to try my spinach salad with pears, walnuts, and blue cheese next!
MORE TASTY SUMMER SALAD RECIPES
KETO FRIENDLY CAULIFLOWER “POTATO” SALAD
LOADED BROCCOLI AND BACON SALAD
HOMEMADE CAESAR SALAD FROM SCRATCH
PF CHANG’S CHICKEN LETTUCE WRAP SALAD
FRESH CUCUMBER SALAD WITH DILL
EASY GRILLED CHICKEN SALADS (TWO WAYS)
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SPINACH SALAD WITH STRAWBERRIES RECIPE
Ingredients
FOR THE SALAD
- 8 oz. (~8 cups) Baby Spinach
- 1 cup Strawberries
- ½ cup Goat Cheese crumbled
- â…“ cup Red Onion sliced
- â…“ cup Fresh Basil chopped
- Desired Amount of Homemade Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing
FOR THE SPICY TOASTED NUTS
- â…“ cup Pecans
- ¼ cup Slivered Almonds
- 1 tbsp Butter
- ¼ tsp Cinnamon
- ¼ tsp Cayenne
- ¼ Salt
Instructions
- Wash, dry, hull, and thinly slice your strawberries.
- In a small pan over medium heat, add the butter.
- Once frothy and melted, add the pecans, slivered almonds, cinnamon, cayenne, and salt.
- Stir to combine.
- Cook, stirring frequently, until nice and toasted, about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool until ready to use.
- Divide the spinach amongst two large bowls. Top with sliced strawberries, spicy toasted nuts, goat cheese, red onions, basil, and desired amount of homemade lemon poppy seed dressing. Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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