Strawberry Walnut Spinach Salad (Printable)

Bright blend of strawberries, crunchy walnuts, and baby spinach tossed with tangy balsamic vinaigrette.

# What You Need:

→ Salad Components

01 - 6 cups fresh baby spinach, washed and thoroughly dried
02 - 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and thinly sliced
03 - ½ cup walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped
04 - ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced into rings
05 - ⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional, omit for vegan)

→ Balsamic Vinaigrette

06 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
07 - 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
08 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
09 - 1 teaspoon honey or pure maple syrup
10 - ¼ teaspoon sea salt
11 - ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# How-To:

01 - In a small mixing bowl, combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and black pepper. Whisk vigorously until fully emulsified and slightly thickened. Set aside at room temperature.
02 - Place washed and dried baby spinach in a large salad bowl, creating a generous bed of greens. Arrange sliced strawberries, toasted walnuts, red onion rings, and crumbled feta cheese (if using) evenly across the spinach.
03 - Drizzle the prepared balsamic vinaigrette over the salad, distributing it evenly. Using salad servers or large spoons, gently toss the ingredients to coat all leaves without bruising the spinach.
04 - Transfer to individual serving plates or serve family-style from the bowl. Garnish with additional toasted walnuts or fresh strawberry slices if desired. Enjoy promptly while the walnuts remain crunchy.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The homemade vinaigrette comes together in seconds but tastes like something from a restaurant
  • Perfect for those nights when you want something elegant but absolutely no cooking
02 -
  • Skip the feta for a completely dairy free version, the salad stands on its own
  • Add walnuts at the last minute so they stay crunchy
03 -
  • Dry your spinach thoroughly with a salad spinner or towels so the dressing actually sticks
  • Taste the strawberries first and adjust the honey in your dressing accordingly

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