Spinach Strawberry Feta Salad

$- 4 cups fresh baby spinach, washed and dried - 1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced - 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced - 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese - 1/4 cup sliced almonds (toasted, if desired) - 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 1 tablespoon honey - Salt and pepper to taste To make a great Spinach Strawberry Feta Salad, you need fresh, vibrant ingredients. The base is young baby spinach. It is mild and tender. You want to wash and dry it well. Next, you add juicy strawberries. They should be sweet and ripe. Slice them thin for a nice look and feel. The red onion adds a bit of sharpness. Slice it very thin to keep the taste balanced. Now, let’s talk about cheese and nuts. Crumbled feta cheese brings a creamy, tangy flavor. You can also use goat cheese if you like. Sliced almonds add crunch. Toasting them gives a warm, nutty flavor, but it is optional. For the dressing, balsamic vinegar is key. It adds sweetness and tang. Olive oil helps to blend the flavors. Honey gives an extra hint of sweetness. Salt and pepper bring everything together. You can find the full recipe above. With these ingredients, you create a salad that is tasty and fresh. - Combine baby spinach and sliced strawberries in a large salad bowl. - Add feta cheese, almonds, and red onion to the bowl. Now, let's dive into the fun of prepping this salad! Start with fresh baby spinach. It gives the salad a vibrant color and a crisp texture. Next, slice the strawberries. Their sweetness pairs well with spinach. The juicy strawberries provide a refreshing taste. Toss these together in your bowl. Then, crumble some feta cheese. Feta adds a nice creamy touch. The salty flavor contrasts perfectly with the sweet strawberries. Next, grab some almonds. If you like them toasted, pop them in a pan for a few minutes. Toasted almonds bring out a rich flavor. Finally, thinly slice the red onion. It adds a little zing to the mix. - Whisk together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. For the dressing, take a small bowl and whisk together balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Balsamic adds depth while olive oil gives a smooth base. Add a tablespoon of honey for sweetness. This balances the tanginess of the vinegar. Don't forget a pinch of salt and some pepper. This seasoning enhances the flavors. Whisk until everything is well combined. - Drizzle dressing over salad mixture and gently toss. - Taste and adjust seasoning before serving. Now, it’s time for the final assembly! Drizzle the dressing over your salad mixture. Gently toss everything together. Make sure the spinach and strawberries are well coated. This helps each bite burst with flavor. After tossing, take a quick taste. Adjust the seasoning if needed. You can add more salt or pepper if you like. Now your Spinach Strawberry Feta Salad is ready to shine! For the full recipe, check out the details provided. For a great look, serve your salad on a large platter. Place whole strawberries on top. Add crumbled feta cheese for a colorful pop. This simple touch makes your salad more appealing. You can adjust the sweetness or sourness of your salad. Try changing the honey in the dressing. If you want it sweeter, add more honey. For a tangy kick, increase the balsamic vinegar. Taste as you mix to find your perfect balance. Serve your salad right after mixing. This helps keep the spinach crisp and fresh. If you wait too long, the greens may wilt. Enjoy it right away for the best taste and texture. {{image_2}} You can easily swap fruits in this salad. Try using blueberries or raspberries instead of strawberries. These fruits add their own sweet and tart notes. You can also mix in some sliced peaches or apples when they are in season. When it comes to cheese, feta is great, but goat cheese or mozzarella can be fun too. Goat cheese adds a tangy flavor, while mozzarella gives a creamier texture. Both options make the salad unique. Want to make your salad heartier? Add grilled chicken for protein. It pairs well with the sweet strawberries. Quinoa is another fantastic choice. It adds a nice crunch and makes the salad more filling. Chickpeas work too and bring a nutty flavor. These options turn your salad into a full meal. The dressing can change your salad's taste. While balsamic is tasty, try a lemon vinaigrette for a fresh twist. The lemon adds brightness and zing. Poppy seed dressing is also a fun option. It gives a sweet and nutty flavor that complements the salad well. Don't be afraid to experiment! For the full recipe, check out the Spinach Strawberry Feta Salad. To keep your leftover spinach strawberry feta salad fresh, store it in the fridge. Use an airtight container to prevent the salad from wilting. Make sure to eat it within two days for the best taste and texture. If you plan to save it, keep the dressing separate. This helps avoid sogginess. To maintain the freshness of spinach and strawberries, buy them as close to use as possible. Store spinach in a damp paper towel inside a bag, which keeps it crisp. Place strawberries in the fridge unwashed. Rinse them only right before you eat. This keeps their flavor intact and prevents mold. Salads are usually best served cold. If your salad has protein, like grilled chicken, reheat that separately. Warm the protein in a pan or microwave. If you added dressing, store it on the side. This keeps the salad fresh and prevents it from getting soggy. Enjoy your salad cold for the best experience! To make this salad in advance, prep the ingredients but hold off on mixing them. Wash and dry the spinach ahead of time. Slice the strawberries and onions, then store them in airtight containers. Keep the feta cheese and almonds separate to maintain their texture. Just before serving, combine all the ingredients in a bowl. Drizzle with dressing and toss gently. This way, your salad stays fresh and crisp. You can use frozen strawberries, but fresh ones are best. Frozen strawberries lose some texture when thawed. They might be mushy and less vibrant. If you do use frozen, let them thaw completely. Pat them dry to avoid a watery salad. Fresh strawberries offer a bright flavor and crunch. They make your salad more appealing and tasty. Yes, this salad is very healthy. Spinach is full of vitamins and minerals. It has iron, calcium, and vitamins A and C. Strawberries add antioxidants and fiber, which are great for your body. Feta cheese provides protein and calcium, while almonds add healthy fats. Olive oil in the dressing is a good fat. All these ingredients work together to boost your health, making this salad a smart choice. This blog post highlights how to create a fresh and tasty Spinach Strawberry Feta Salad. You learned about the key ingredients, easy steps for preparation, and tips for serving. I shared a few variations and storage advice to keep your salad fresh. In short, this salad is colorful, nutritious, and versatile. You can customize it to your liking. Enjoy making this refreshing salad and impress guests with its flavors!$

Spinach Strawberry Feta Salad

Indulge in a delightful Spinach Strawberry Feta Salad that's perfect for any occasion! This vibrant salad combines fresh baby spinach, sweet strawberries, creamy feta, and crunchy almonds, all topped with a homemade balsamic dressing. Ready in just 10 minutes, it's a quick and healthy option for lunch or dinner.

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Ingredients

4 cups fresh baby spinach, washed and dried

1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced

1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

1/4 cup sliced almonds (toasted, if desired)

1/4 red onion, thinly sliced

3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon honey

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

In a large salad bowl, combine the fresh baby spinach and sliced strawberries.

Add the crumbled feta cheese, sliced almonds, and red onion to the bowl.

In a separate small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper until well combined.

Drizzle the dressing over the salad mixture.

Gently toss the salad to ensure even distribution of ingredients and dressing.

Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding more salt and pepper as desired.

Serve immediately for optimal freshness.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 10 minutes | Servings: 4

- Presentation Tips: Serve on a large platter, garnished with a few whole strawberries and a sprinkle of feta on top for a colorful and appealing look.