This summer fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad is tossed with crumbled goat or feta cheese, slivered almonds, and a sweet and flavorful balsamic dressing. A vibrant, beautiful summer salad that’s simple, healthy, and so easy to put together!
A pretty salad for the 4th of July and all summer long while strawberries are at their peak.
I’ve been on a crazy salad kick lately. For some reason, I just can’t get enough of them. And, the darker and leafier the greens, the better.
That is exactly why this salad came to mind a few days ago. The Strawberry Spinach Salad concept has been around for awhile but we’re beginning to see it pop up in some unexpected places. Even Panera has one on their menu now and low and behold, it has become a favorite of my husband. Our business is less than a mile from Panera so it’s a frequent choice for us at lunch so I am beyond thrilled that they have added so many healthy choices to their menu. Thank you, Panera!
There are a few things, however, that set my Strawberry Spinach Salad recipe apart from the rest.
If you’ve ever had goat or feta cheese paired with honey you’ll know why this dressing is perfection on this salad. In addition to that lovely combo, the balsamic tang adds a great element and accent to the sweetness of the strawberries. Pure love.
Ingredient Notes
- Baby spinach and fresh strawberries: Look for super fresh baby spinach and bright red strawberries.
- Cheese: Crumbled goat cheese is my first choice for this salad but crumbled feta cheese is a close second. Use what you love!
- Nuts: Slivered almonds are my top choice but chopped toasted walnuts are also a natural fit with these ingredients. For more sweetness, you could use my Easy Glazed Nuts.
- Dressing: A bold and delicious Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette is the perfect way to bring all the flavors in this salad together. It consists of extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, a little Dijon mustard, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
How to Make Strawberry Spinach Salad
- Prepare the dressing.
- Place the spinach and sliced strawberries in a large bowl and toss with as much dressing as desired.
- Top with the cheese and slivered almonds.
My favorite way to quickly make up a batch of salad dressing is to combine all the ingredients in a small jar or any other small container with a tight-fitting lid and then give it a good shake until the ingredients are combined. You can do this well ahead of time and refrigerate it until you need it.
Serving Suggestions
Make it a meal by adding one of the following proteins to your menu.
- Chicken marinated in the BEST Grilled Chicken Marinade
- Blackened Mahi Mahi
- Smoked Pork Tenderloin
- Margarita Chicken
- Chipotle Maple Grilled Chicken
- Sirloin Steak (Stove to Oven Method)
More Summer Salad Recipes
Browse my always growing collection of salad recipes for more ideas!
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Strawberry Spinach Salad
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 6 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 pint strawberries, rinsed, hulled, and sliced
- 3 ounces goat cheese or feta cheese, crumbled
- ⅓ cup slivered almonds
- ⅓ cup Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette, or as much as desired
Instructions
- Place spinach and sliced strawberries in a large serving bowl. Add as much dressing as desired and toss to combine. Top with the cheese and slivered almond and serve.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated using generic ingredients, and is an estimate not a guarantee. For more accurate results, please refer to the labels on your ingredients at home.
Made this delicious salad to go with our dinner tonight. Easy to make and so beautiful. I elected to use goat cheese; otherwise made just as directed. I’m so glad that strawberries are available year round — can’t wait to make this salad again soon.
What a lovely light salad! I just love fruity salads – so fresh and give the ol’ salad an extra zing. Thanks for the recipe.
Thank you, Jessica!
I like the small jar (that jar is so cute too!) trick! I have a dressing container but it’s tall and hard to wash… Your idea is handy and works great! I must try this recipe. I haven’t had this combination of salad yet (where’s my nearest Panera?!), will try this at home!
I’m so jealous you live close to Panera! We don’t have them here :0( But at least I can make this salad for myself now! Perfect for lightening things up this summer! Love!
Hi Julie! Panera is a great option for us when we need a quick, healthy lunch. We have them all over the place in California.