Name: Strawberry Spinach Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 2 min
Total time: 22 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 package (5 ounces) organic spinach; 8 ounces strawberries, halved (about 2 cups halved strawberries); 1 large avocado, sliced; ½ small red onion, thinly sliced; ½ cup feta crumbles; ⅓ cup raw sliced almonds; ¼ cup chopped shelled roasted pistachios; 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar; ¼ cup olive oil; 1 garlic clove, grated or finely minced; ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard; ½ tablespoon strawberry jam (or jam of choice); Freshly ground salt and pepper, to taste

Jump to Recipe· 4.3 from 11 reviews

I am so excited to share with you my absolute favorite Strawberry Spinach Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe. This salad is a celebration of fresh, vibrant flavors that perfectly balance sweetness, creaminess, crunch, and tang, making it one of those dishes that feels like a little gift to your taste buds. I love how the strawberries and balsamic vinaigrette bring such a bright pop of flavor to tender spinach, combined with rich avocado, salty feta, and toasted nuts for texture — it truly hits all the right notes in every bite.

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Spinach Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe

When it comes to flavor, I just can’t get enough of this combination. The sweetness of fresh strawberries paired with the tangy, slightly sweet strawberry balsamic vinaigrette feels incredibly fresh and vibrant, while the creamy avocado and crumbly feta add luxurious, mellow richness. The crunchy toasted almonds and pistachios bring a toasty depth that contrasts beautifully with the softness of the greens and fruit. Eating it feels like a refreshing treat that’s both satisfying and light.

One of the things I adore about this recipe is how quick and easy it is to pull together. You don’t have to be a culinary whiz to get it right — just toss your ingredients, quickly toast your nuts on the stove, shake up the dressing, and you’re done. It’s perfect for a healthy lunch when you want something fresh and colorful but don’t have much time, or as a gorgeous side dish for a summer gathering or holiday meal. Every time I make it, it stands out on the table and gets compliments — it feels special while still being effortless.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A white bowl sits on a white marbled surface, filled with a colorful fresh salad. The base layer is made of large, dark green spinach leaves spread evenly inside the bowl. On top, there is a layer of bright red, halved strawberries placed in the bottom left area. To the top left of the strawberries are small chopped green pistachios. Thin, curved slices of purple-red onion are positioned near the middle left. At the top center, there is a pile of white, crumbly cheese. To the right of the cheese, there is a small mound of toasted, light brown almond slices. Finally, on the right side, thinly sliced layers of creamy light green avocado with black pepper sprinkled on top are fanned out over the spinach. The image shows a clean and fresh look, photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The beauty of this salad lies in its simple but thoughtfully chosen ingredients. Each one plays an important role, from the nutrient-packed spinach to the luscious avocado, sweet strawberries, and crunchy nuts. The dressing ingredients combine to make that unforgettable strawberry balsamic vinaigrette which ties everything together with a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity.

Organic spinach (5 ounces): This leafy green is the fresh, tender base that carries all the delicious flavors.
Fresh strawberries (8 ounces): Halved strawberries add natural sweetness and a juicy pop that makes the salad sing.
Large avocado: Sliced avocado brings a creamy, buttery texture that complements the crisp spinach.
Red onion (½ small): Thinly sliced, it adds a subtle bite and sharpness that balances the sweet fruit.
Feta cheese (½ cup crumbles): Salty and tangy, it enriches the salad with a savory depth.
Raw sliced almonds (⅓ cup): Toasted to golden perfection for a crunchy, nutty contrast.
Chopped roasted pistachios (¼ cup): Adds a unique texture and delicate nuttiness.
Balsamic vinegar (3 tablespoons): The acid backbone for the dressing, lending brightness and depth.
Olive oil (¼ cup): Creates a smooth, rich vinaigrette that coats the salad beautifully.
Garlic clove (1, grated): Adds subtle savory warmth to the dressing without overpowering it.
Dijon mustard (½ teaspoon): Provides gentle tang and helps emulsify the dressing.
Strawberry jam (½ tablespoon): Infuses the dressing with extra fruity sweetness and color.
Salt and freshly ground pepper: Enhances all the flavors perfectly, to taste.

Directions

Step 1: In a mason jar or small bowl, add the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, grated garlic, Dijon mustard, strawberry jam, salt, and freshly ground pepper. Shake or whisk everything together thoroughly until the dressing is smooth and emulsified. Give it a taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed.

Step 2: Next, toast the sliced almonds on the stovetop. Place a dry skillet over medium heat and add the almonds, stirring frequently for about 2-5 minutes. Look for them to turn a lovely golden brown and smell toasty. Once done, transfer them to a plate to cool and avoid over-toasting.

Step 3: In a large bowl, add the fresh spinach as the base. Layer the halved strawberries evenly over the greens, then arrange the sliced avocado on top, followed by the thinly sliced red onion and feta crumbles.

Step 4: Sprinkle the toasted almonds and chopped pistachios over the salad. You can either toss everything gently with the dressing now or serve the dressing on the side so everyone can add as much as they prefer.

Step 5: If serving immediately, drizzle about ¼ of the dressing over each portion. Garnish with some extra toasted almonds or a few whole sliced strawberries for a beautiful presentation. Enjoy your bright, fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe right away!

Servings and Timing

This vibrant salad comfortably serves 4 people. It takes about 20 minutes to prepare primarily because of the toasting and slicing steps, and the cook time is minimal—just a couple of minutes to toast nuts. Overall, the total time to make this Strawberry Spinach Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe is around 22 minutes. There’s no resting or cooling time required, but I recommend serving it as fresh as possible to enjoy the crisp textures and bright flavors.

How to Serve This Strawberry Spinach Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe

A white bowl filled with a fresh salad showing three main layers. The bottom layer is bright green spinach leaves spread evenly. On top, there are ripe red strawberry halves placed around the bowl, along with slices of pale green avocado fanned out on one side. The salad is sprinkled with white crumbly cheese, thin purple onion slices, and small brown almond slivers scattered evenly. A thick dark brown dressing is being poured from a light gray ceramic cup onto the center of the salad. The whole scene is set on a white marbled surface with another salad bowl partially visible in the background, photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

When I serve this salad, I like to keep it as the bright star of the meal. It pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken or salmon for a light yet satisfying lunch or dinner. I also enjoy serving it alongside a hearty sandwich or a grain bowl for added contrast. If it’s a party or holiday dinner, it adds a gorgeous pop of color and freshness on the buffet table.

For garnishing, I love adding a few extra strawberries, a sprinkle of chopped fresh herbs like basil or mint, or even some edible flowers for that “wow” effect. Presentation is so fun with this salad since its natural colors are already stunning — using clear glass bowls or white plates really lets the reds and greens pop beautifully.

As for beverages, you can’t go wrong with a chilled sauvignon blanc or a rosé to complement the sweet and tangy vinaigrette. For non-alcoholic options, a sparkling strawberry lemonade or iced green tea works perfectly to refresh the palate. I serve this salad chilled or at room temperature, which enhances the juicy freshness of the strawberries and keeps the spinach tender but crisp. Portions are generous enough to make it a main for four or a side salad for six to eight, depending on your appetite.

Variations

I love how flexible the Strawberry Spinach Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe is, so I often play around with different ingredients. For a dairy-free or vegan version, I simply skip the feta or replace it with a plant-based cheese alternative or even toasted chickpeas for crunch. If you want less fat, swap the avocado for cucumber or extra strawberries — the salad still tastes divine.

When strawberries are out of season, I substitute with other fruits like blueberries, peaches, raspberries, or blackberries, which all complement spinach beautifully and provide varied sweetness and texture. Feel free to experiment with different nut combinations too; walnuts or pecans make wonderful alternatives to almonds and pistachios.

If you’re in the mood for a slightly different twist, try grilling your strawberries lightly before adding them for a smoky caramelized flavor or add some fresh herbs like mint or tarragon into the vinaigrette to brighten the dressing even more. I sometimes drizzle a little honey into the dressing or swap out the strawberry jam for raspberry or blackberry jam to switch things up while keeping that signature fruity flair.

Storage and Reheating

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have leftovers, the best way to store them is in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Because the avocado and dressing can make the spinach soggy, I usually keep the salad components separate from the dressing and nuts if possible, combining them right before serving again. Stored this way, the salad will keep fresh and tasty for up to 24 hours.

Freezing

Since this salad relies on fresh ingredients, especially delicate spinach and avocado, I would not recommend freezing it. Freezing would ruin the texture and freshness of the fruits, greens, and creamy avocado, and the vinaigrette might separate or alter in flavor. It’s best enjoyed fresh or within a day of making.

Reheating

This salad is meant to be served chilled or at room temperature, so reheating is not necessary and I would advise against it. The texture of the fresh ingredients and the crispness of the nuts would deteriorate with heat. If you want to enjoy leftovers, simply bring them out of the fridge and allow to come to room temperature briefly before tossing with fresh dressing or nuts.

FAQs

Can I prepare this salad in advance?

You can prep the ingredients ahead of time by washing and slicing the spinach, strawberries, and avocado, and making the dressing. However, I recommend assembling the salad and adding the dressing just before serving to keep everything fresh and crisp.

Is this salad gluten-free?

Yes! All ingredients in this Strawberry Spinach Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe are naturally gluten-free, making it a safe and delicious choice for anyone avoiding gluten.

How long will the strawberry balsamic vinaigrette keep?

The vinaigrette can be stored in an airtight jar or container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Just give it a good shake or stir before using, as the oil and vinegar may separate.

Can I substitute other greens for spinach?

Absolutely! Baby kale, arugula, or mixed spring greens all work well as alternatives and bring their own unique flavors and textures to the salad.

What if I don’t have strawberry jam for the dressing?

No worries! You can use any fruit preserves or jams you have on hand like raspberry or blackberry. You could also add a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup for sweetness if you prefer.

Conclusion

I truly hope you give this Strawberry Spinach Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe a try because it’s one of my all-time favorite salads for a reason. The combination of fresh, fruity flavors, creamy avocado, tangy feta, and crunchy nuts is just unbeatable in my book. It’s a beautiful, healthy dish that’s simple to make but always impresses — perfect for nourishing yourself or sharing with friends and family. Enjoy every vibrant bite!