Strawberry Walnut Spinach Salad (Print Version)

A refreshing mix of strawberries, walnuts, spinach, and balsamic dressing for a light, tasty dish.

# What You Need:

→ Salad Components

01 - 6 cups fresh baby spinach, washed and thoroughly dried
02 - 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced into quarters
03 - ½ cup walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped
04 - ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced into half-moons
05 - ⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)

→ Balsamic Vinaigrette

06 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
07 - 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
08 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
09 - 1 teaspoon honey or pure maple syrup
10 - ¼ teaspoon sea salt
11 - ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# How to Prepare:

01 - In a small mixing bowl, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, sea salt, and black pepper. Continue whisking vigorously until the mixture is fully emulsified and thickened slightly. Set aside at room temperature while preparing the salad components.
02 - Place the washed and dried baby spinach in a large salad bowl as the foundation. Add the sliced strawberries, toasted chopped walnuts, thinly sliced red onion, and crumbled feta cheese (if using) in an even layer over the spinach leaves.
03 - Drizzle the prepared balsamic vinaigrette evenly over the salad. Using salad tongs or large spoons, gently toss the salad to distribute the dressing thoroughly, ensuring all spinach leaves and ingredients are lightly coated without bruising the delicate greens.
04 - Transfer the dressed salad to individual serving plates or serve family-style in the large bowl. For presentation, garnish with additional walnut pieces or fresh strawberry slices if desired. This salad is best enjoyed immediately while the walnuts remain crunchy and the spinach stays crisp.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sweet and salty combination hits every craving at once
  • It comes together in literally 15 minutes with zero cooking
02 -
  • Dress this right before serving or the spinach will turn into a sad wilted situation
  • The walnuts lose their crunch quickly in the dressing, so keep some separate for topping
03 -
  • Dry your spinach thoroughly after washing or the dressing will slide right off
  • Invest in good balsamic vinegar, it makes or breaks this entire recipe

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