Strawberry Spinach Spring Salad (Print Version)

Bright spring salad of strawberries, baby spinach, goat cheese and toasted nuts, finished with a honey-balsamic vinaigrette.

# Components:

→ Salad

01 - 6 cups baby spinach, washed and thoroughly dried
02 - 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
03 - 1/3 cup crumbled goat cheese
04 - 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
05 - 1/3 cup toasted pecans or sliced almonds

→ Balsamic Dressing

06 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
08 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - In a small bowl or jar, combine the extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Whisk or shake vigorously until the dressing is emulsified and glossy. Taste and adjust seasoning.
02 - If your pecans or almonds are not pre-toasted, warm a dry skillet over medium heat and add the nuts. Toast, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool completely.
03 - Place the baby spinach in a large salad bowl. Add the sliced strawberries and thinly sliced red onion, then scatter the cooled toasted nuts over the greens.
04 - Drizzle the prepared balsamic dressing evenly over the salad. Using salad tongs, toss gently to coat the spinach and fruit without bruising the berries.
05 - Crumble the goat cheese over the dressed salad just before serving to preserve texture. Serve immediately for best freshness.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You can make it in fifteen minutes flat and still impress your guests or your own taste buds.
  • The contrast of sweet-tart strawberries and creamy goat cheese is nothing short of addictive.
02 -
  • If you overdress the salad, the spinach wilts instantly—I learned to drizzle lightly and serve extra vinaigrette on the side.
  • Toasting the nuts takes just a couple of minutes, but walking away guarantees burnt bits that ruin the crunch.
03 -
  • Let your strawberries come to room temperature before slicing—they’ll taste sweeter and juicier.
  • Scatter a pinch of flaky salt on top just before serving for an extra burst of flavor.
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