Strawberry-Spinach Salad

A fresh strawberry and spinach salad opens a world of possibilities. Served with grilled chicken, a pork tenderloin, or boiled shrimp, a strawberry and spinach salad is a light and easy way to add fruit and vegetables to your menu. It's also a great side dish for a holiday spread when you need something fresh and special among all the casseroles.

A homemade dressing with onion, white balsamic vinegar, mayonnaise, and mustard adds a flavorful kick to the salad, balancing the pungent flavor of blue cheese and the sweetness of ripe, fresh strawberries. Candied pecans add additional sweetness to the salad, along with a nutty crunch for a textural contrast to take this delicious side to the next level.

Learn how to make strawberry-spinach salad, and add it to your upcoming spring menus.

Celebrate Strawberry Season

Spring is strawberry season and, since it is way too short, head to the farmers' markets and buy these juicy jewels by the pound to incorporate into your favorite strawberry desserts and dishes.

It's tempting to buy a box of the huge berries that flood the produce aisle of grocery stores during winter. But while the out-of-season picks may look good, they just don't deliver on taste. Strawberries harvested before they ripen might turn a bit more red after they are picked, but they will never get any sweeter. The key to the fruit's deliciousness? Give them time under the sun in the fields to ripen—from cap to tip—and develop its unmistakable scent.

When selecting berries, aroma, not color, is a sure sign of good flavor, so follow your nose to find the cream of the crop. If you don't use all the berries immediately, it is a good idea to freeze strawberries so you can enjoy a taste of spring in the middle of winter. Just before freezing, gently wash berries in cool water, and pat them dry with paper towels. Remove and discard stems, leaves, and any underripe or damaged fruit.

For a quick freeze, place whole berries in a single layer on a jelly-roll pan and freeze until firm. Pack into zip-top plastic freezer bags, leaving 1-inch headspace. Squeeze out excess air; seal and freeze for up to 8 months.

Ingredients for Strawberry-Spinach Salad

A creamy homemade dressing coats fresh strawberries and spinach for a crave-worthy salad you'll want to make on repeat. To make strawberry-spinach salad, you'll need:

• Vidalia onion: Adds an aromatic, oniony flavor to the dressing.
• Light olive oil: For a dressing with a smooth texture and subtle, fruity flavor.
• White balsamic vinegar: Adds acidity and tanginess to the dressing without affecting the color.
• Granulated sugar: Lightly sweetens the dressing to balance the flavors.
• Mayonnaise: Adds a creamy texture and body to the dressing.
• Dijon mustard: For a hint of tanginess and to help emulsify the dressing.
• Kosher salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dressing.
• Fresh spinach: The green base of the salad. Swap with other greens, including a spring mix, kale, or arugula, if preferred.
• Fresh strawberries: Adds a pop of color and sweetness to the salad.
• Blue cheese: A rich, pungent cheese that adds depth and flavor. Swap with crumbled goat, feta, or other cheeses, if preferred.
• Candied pecans: For a nutty, crunchy garnish that elevates the salad.

How To Make Strawberry-Spinach Salad

Pull out the blender for a quick dressing that's ready in seconds, and in minutes, this fresh, fruity salad will be ready to serve. Full instructions are below, but here's a brief recap before you get started:

• Step 1. Make the dressing: Blend onion, oil, vinegar, sugar, mayonnaise, mustard, and salt until smooth.
• Step 2. Arrange salad: Place remaining ingredients on a large platter and drizzle with dressing.

Strawberry-Spinach Salad Variations

To switch up this strawberry-spinach salad to suit your preferences or what you have on hand, consider these variations:

• Greens: Swap the spinach with a spring mix, arugula, kale, butter lettuce, or any preferred greens.
• Dressing: Swap the dressing with a balsamic, lemon, or honey vinaigrette, poppy seed dressing, or maple-Dijon dressing, whether homemade or store-bought.
• Berries: Change up the flavor of the salad by replacing all or part of the strawberries with raspberries, blackberries, orange segments, grapes, peaches, or other ripe fruits.
• Cheese: If you just aren't a fan of blue cheese, opt for goat, feta, or Brie instead.
• Crunch: Replace the candied pecans with candied walnuts or almonds, or opt for toasted nuts in their place. For a nut-free version, use toasted pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, or croutons for crunch.
• Veggies: For even more color and flavor, add thinly sliced radishes, red onion, avocado, or cucumbers to the mix.
  
• Protein: Turn this salad into a main course by topping with grilled chicken, shrimp, salmon, or steak.

What To Serve with Strawberry-Spinach Salad

Whether serving this salad for brunch, lunch, or dinner, pair with quiche, grilled fish, chicken, steak, pork tenderloin, boiled shrimp, or other favorite proteins. Pair with a side of rice, pasta, or roasted potatoes for a hearty meal.

Can I Make Strawberry-Spinach Salad Ahead?

While this salad is best assembled right before serving, there are a few components you can make in advance.

Prepare the dressing up to 4 days ahead. Refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to serve. The candied pecans can be made up to 1 week ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature, or frozen for up to 1 month so you'll always have them on hand when needed. Assemble the fresh salad ingredients and top with dressing right before serving.

How To Store Leftover Strawberry-Spinach Salad

Refrigerate leftover salad in an airtight container, storing the dressing and pecans separately if possible. Serve within 2 days for the freshest flavor.

Why This Recipe Gets Rave Reviews

This bright and tasty salad is a great way to celebrate the season, with fresh ingredients that feature as a refreshing side dish to just about any protein. For that reason, it's no wonder that it garners rave reviews.

One Southern Living community member commented, "This made for a delicious easy quick dinner."

Another said, "I made it tonight to have with some baked salmon. it was easy, light and delicious. Especially with current in season fresh strawberries. I did not have pecans so used slivered almonds. Definitely going to my Keeper File."

More Seasonal Salad Recipes You'll Love

There's no better way to feature seasonal produce than by incorporating it into delicious entrées and side dishes. These salads are light, bright, and good for the body:

• Sugar Snap Pea Salad
• Citrus-Avocado Salad with Grapefruit Vinaigrette
• Southern Shrimp Pasta Salad
• Grilled Baby Zucchini-and-Tomato Salad
• Romaine Salad with Oranges and Radishes
• Spring Salad with Berries and Bacon
• Radish, Avocado, and Citrus Salad
• Lemony White Bean Salad with Broccoli

Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse.