Spinach Strawberry Pecan Salad (Printable)
Fresh spinach tossed with sweet strawberries, crunchy pecans, and tangy balsamic dressing for a light summer dish.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Salad
01 - 6 cups fresh baby spinach leaves, washed and dried
02 - 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
03 - 1/2 cup pecan halves, toasted
04 - 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
05 - 1/3 cup crumbled goat cheese or feta (optional)
→ Balsamic Vinaigrette
06 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
08 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# How To Make It:
01 - In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey (or maple syrup), Dijon mustard, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until the dressing is fully emulsified and no oil separation remains.
02 - In a large salad bowl, combine the washed baby spinach leaves, sliced strawberries, thinly sliced red onion, and toasted pecan halves.
03 - Drizzle the balsamic vinaigrette over the salad ingredients and toss gently with clean hands or salad tongs until every component is evenly coated.
04 - Scatter crumbled goat cheese or feta over the top of the salad if desired, and serve immediately to preserve freshness and texture.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It comes together in fifteen minutes flat with zero cooking, which means your kitchen stays cool on the hottest days.
- The balsamic honey dressing doubles beautifully as a quick marinade for chicken or a drizzle over roasted vegetables later in the week.
02 -
- Dress the salad right before serving because spinach wilts fast once the acid in the vinaigrette hits it, and you will end up with a soggy pile instead of something vibrant.
- Toasting pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for two to three minutes makes a bigger flavor difference than almost anything else in this recipe, so do not skip it.
03 -
- Slice the strawberries no more than an hour ahead or they will weep juice and water down your dressing.
- A pinch of flaky sea salt over the finished salad right before serving elevates every single flavor.