Description
5-Ingredient Summer Strawberry Salad is a quick and refreshing healthy salad made with sweet strawberries, fresh spinach, creamy feta cheese, crunchy almonds, and red onion tossed in a simple honey balsamic dressing. Perfect for summer lunches, barbecues, or light dinners.
Ingredients
- 5 cups fresh baby spinach or mixed greens
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds or chopped pecans
- 1/4 small red onion, very thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- Pinch sea salt
- Pinch black pepper
- 1/2 avocado, sliced (optional)
- 1 tablespoon sunflower seeds (optional)
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds (optional)
- 1/4 cup blueberries (optional)
- Grilled chicken strips (optional)
Instructions
1. Rinse the baby spinach or mixed greens under cool water and dry thoroughly using a salad spinner or kitchen towel.
2. Place the greens in a large salad bowl and gently fluff the leaves.
3. Wash the strawberries, remove the green tops, and slice them into halves or quarters.
4. Scatter the sliced strawberries over the greens.
5. Thinly slice the red onion. For a milder flavor, soak the slices in cold water for five minutes then drain.
6. Add the red onion slices to the salad bowl.
7. Sprinkle crumbled feta or goat cheese evenly over the salad.
8. Add sliced almonds or chopped pecans for crunch.
9. In a small bowl combine balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, salt, and black pepper.
10. Whisk until the dressing becomes smooth and slightly thickened.
11. Taste the dressing and adjust sweetness or tanginess if desired.
12. Drizzle the dressing lightly over the salad.
13. Gently toss the salad until the ingredients are evenly coated.
14. Fold in optional ingredients like avocado slices or seeds if using.
15. Transfer to a serving bowl, garnish with extra strawberries or nuts, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use ripe sweet strawberries for the best flavor.
- Baby spinach provides a tender texture but arugula or spring mix also work well.
- Toast nuts lightly in a dry skillet for extra flavor.
- If preparing ahead, keep dressing separate and add just before serving.
- For a vegan version, omit cheese or use a plant-based alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 10mg