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Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe Easy Homemade with Zesty Balsamic Vinaigrette

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A light and refreshing salad combining sweet strawberries, fresh baby spinach, and a zesty homemade balsamic vinaigrette. Perfect for quick lunches, side dishes, or potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups fresh baby spinach (about 180g)
  • 1 pint fresh strawberries (about 300g), sliced
  • 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (75g) (substitute goat cheese or omit for dairy-free)
  • 1/4 cup slivered almonds (30g), toasted
  • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (45ml)
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (60ml)
  • 1 tablespoon honey (15ml) (use maple syrup for vegan version)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (5ml)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Rinse 6 cups (180g) of baby spinach thoroughly under cold water. Use a salad spinner or pat dry with a clean towel. The leaves should be crisp, not wet.
  2. Rinse 1 pint (300g) of strawberries, remove the green tops, and slice thinly.
  3. Thinly slice 1/4 of a small red onion. If sensitive to raw onion, soak slices in cold water for 5 minutes, then drain.
  4. Toast 1/4 cup (30g) slivered almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Stir constantly to avoid burning. Remove from heat and let cool.
  5. In a small bowl or mason jar, combine 3 tablespoons (45ml) balsamic vinegar, 1/4 cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon (15ml) honey, 1 teaspoon (5ml) Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk vigorously or shake with lid until emulsified and slightly thickened.
  6. In a large bowl, combine the spinach, sliced strawberries, red onion, and crumbled feta cheese. Drizzle the vinaigrette over top and toss gently to coat without bruising the spinach.
  7. Sprinkle the toasted slivered almonds on top for crunch and serve immediately.

Notes

Do not overdress the salad to avoid wilting spinach. Use ripe but firm strawberries for best texture. Toast almonds carefully to prevent burning. Chill serving bowl for a refreshing salad. Prepare vinaigrette just before serving or store refrigerated and shake well before use. For vegan version, replace honey with maple syrup and omit or substitute feta cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry spinach salad, balsamic vinaigrette, fresh salad, easy salad recipe, healthy salad, quick lunch, vegetarian salad, gluten-free salad

Find it online: https://evabakery.com/fresh-strawberry-spinach-salad-recipe-easy-homemade-with-zesty-balsamic-vinaigrette/