If you’re from the midwest, you know that summer is a cherished time. We wait all year for the temps to hit 70, and then enjoy all the patios for happy hour. Oh and don’t forget all the potlucks and parties where eat a ton of coleslaw, weird potato salads and if we’re lucky, some deliciously sweet lemon bars.
One of my absolute FAVORITE healthy salads to make during the summer is this strawberry spinach salad. It was one of the first salads that my husband Tony ate without ranch dressing and actually LOVED! Now each time we grill up burgers or chicken sausages, I always make sure to have these strawberry spinach salad ingredients on hand so I can whip up our very favorite.
Ingredients in strawberry spinach salad
This strawberry salad is packed with spinach, juicy strawberries, creamy avocado, tangy feta, roasted pistachios, toasted sliced almonds and an easy homemade strawberry balsamic vinaigrette (or feel free to try my yummy tangy and sweet raspberry balsamic vinaigrette!).
Lastly, my preference is to use organic spinach and organic strawberries because I think they pack more flavor and nutrients, but the choice is always yours.
Tips for making this healthy strawberry spinach salad:
Use firm avocados: firmer avocados are best in this salad because they’ll keep their shape.
Mix and match nuts: the roasted pistachios and toasted almonds bring two different distinct nutty flavors to this spinach salad, which I appreciate, but if you prefer you can always sub toasted walnuts, pecans or even candied pecans! The options are endless.
Use a different fruit: if strawberries aren’t available, try blueberries, peaches, raspberries or blackberries. They’ll all be delicious.
Make your own DIY fruity balsamic vinaigrette: I’m in love with this dressing because you can use any fruit jam you like to really make it your own. Try raspberry, strawberry, blackberry or something else for a fun twist!
What to pair this strawberry salad with
Pair this strawberry salad with grilled chicken (try these healthy chicken marinades), salmon or even black bean burgers. It’s also perfect with cooked quinoa, barley or couscous mixed in.
See how to make the strawberry spinach salad:
More delicious salad recipes to try:
Summer Peach Spinach Salad with Avocado, Toasted Almonds + Goat Cheese
Cashew Crunch Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad
Everything Spring Green Salad with Lemon Basil Vinaigrette
The Easiest Chopped Greek Chickpea Salad
Vegan Curried Broccoli Chickpea Salad
Summer Avocado Strawberry Spinach Salad
Ingredients
- For the salad:
- 1 package (5 ounces) organic spinach
- 8 ounces strawberries, halved (about 2 cups halved strawberries)
- 1 large avocado, sliced
- ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup feta crumbles
- ⅓ cup raw sliced almonds
- ¼ cup chopped shelled roasted pistachios
- For the balsamic strawberry vinaigrette:
- 3 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ½ teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1/2 tablespoon strawberry jam
- Freshly ground salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
-
In a mason jar or small bowl, add all of the dressing ingredients. Shake or mix well to combine. Taste and add additional salt/pepper, if necessary.
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Toast the almonds on the stovetop: add the almonds to a pan and place over medium heat, stirring occasionally for 2-5 minutes until almonds are slightly golden brown. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
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Add spinach to a large bowl, layer on the strawberries, avocado slices, red onion, feta, toasted almonds, and chopped pistachios. Add to bowls and serve with extra toasted almonds. Serves 4.
Recipe Notes
This salad is best enjoyed the same day you make it to keep things nice and fresh, but will also be delicious the next day too.
Use a different fruit: if strawberries aren't available, try blueberries, peaches, raspberries or blackberries. They'll all be delicious.
Make your own DIY fruity balsamic vinaigrette: I'm in love with this dressing because you can use any fruit jam you like to really make it your own. Try raspberry, strawberry, blackberry or something else for a fun twist.
27 comments
This was delicious and the dressing is so easy to make. This will be on repeat all summer!
Thanks for another great recipe!
Whoo hoo! So glad you liked it!
Looks delicious! Can’t wait to try!
Another pairing that I love is mango, avocado and feta!!
Hope you love this one! And that combo sounds delicious – will have to try next time 🙂
Loved this salad! Added grilled chicken for a complete meal.
Delicious!!!
I note your nutritional information does not include sodium levels and with feta cheese there will no doubt be sodium. This is important for those who have kidney disease.
Hi Bev, you are more than welcome to calculate the nutrition yourself if it is important to you. Sodium levels different per brand so that’s why we do not include it.
Love this salad
So happy to hear that!
Delicious, easy, and perfect for nights when it’s too hot to heat up the kitchen!
Absolutely! This one’s super refreshing 🙂
Can hardly wait to make this
For my family.
Hope they love it!!
I love this salad, thank you for sharing.
benefits of eating salad everyday
You used feta cheese in the salad recipe, you should have put sodium 0/0 for feta. If people change the cheese that is on them and they can then figure up the sodium 0/0 themselves. If you are going to post recipes, then post everything pertaining to that certain recipe.
I don’t typically include sodium in the nutrition information as different brands of certain ingredients can greatly vary in sodium content.