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The Best Strawberry Spinach Salad

Raw ingredients laid out to make a summer spinach salad with fruit, including fresh baby spinach, bright red strawberries, pecans, feta cheese, and balsamic vinegar.
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Ingredients

  • For the Salad:

    • 8 oz fresh baby spinach, washed and completely dried

    • 1 lb fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

    • 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled (or goat cheese)

    • 1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped and lightly toasted

    • 1/4 cup red onion, very thinly sliced

  • For the Balsamic Vinaigrette:

    • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

    • 3 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar

    • 1 Tablespoon honey or maple syrup

    • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

    • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

    • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  • Toast the Nuts: Place the chopped pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat. Toast for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool.

  • Make the Dressing: In a small mason jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Shake vigorously until the dressing is thick and emulsified.

  • Assemble the Salad: In a large, wide serving bowl, create a bed of fresh baby spinach.

  • Layer: Top the spinach evenly with the sliced strawberries, thinly sliced red onion, crumbled feta cheese, and toasted pecans.

  • Dress and Serve: Right before serving, drizzle the desired amount of balsamic dressing over the salad. Gently toss to combine and serve immediately!

Notes

Make-Ahead: Do not add the dressing until the exact moment you are ready to eat, or the spinach will wilt!

Find it online: https://www.endrecipes.com/strawberry-spinach-salad/