15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe
This vibrant and refreshing 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad combines fresh baby spinach, sweet strawberries, juicy blueberries, and tangy feta cheese, all topped with toasted pecans and a homemade balsamic glaze. Perfect as a light lunch or nutritious side, this salad offers a delightful balance of sweet and savory flavors with a luscious balsamic dressing that you can prepare quickly on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Dressing – Balsamic Glaze
- 1 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup honey (or brown sugar)
Salad Ingredients
- 10 oz baby spinach (fresh)
- 3 cups strawberries (cleaned and hulled, sliced)
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1/3 cup feta cheese (crumbled)
- 1 cup pecans (toasted, some chopped)
Instructions
- Prepare the Balsamic Glaze: In a small saucepan, combine the balsamic vinegar and honey. Heat over medium heat until it comes to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low to simmer. Stir occasionally and allow the mixture to thicken and reduce by about half, which should take approximately 10 minutes.
- Cool the Glaze: Remove the saucepan from heat and pour the balsamic reduction into a heat-proof bowl. Let it cool off at room temperature. As it cools, the glaze will thicken further to a consistency thick enough to coat the back of a spoon but not too stiff.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, combine the fresh baby spinach, sliced strawberries, blueberries, and crumbled feta cheese. Toss gently to mix all the ingredients evenly without bruising the berries or spinach.
- Serve: Divide the mixed salad evenly into six individual serving bowls. Top each bowl with a mixture of whole and chopped toasted pecans for added crunch and flavor.
- Drizzle with Balsamic Glaze: Finally, drizzle a generous amount of the cooled balsamic glaze over each serving bowl to finish the salad with a sweet and tangy touch.
Notes
- You can substitute honey with brown sugar if preferred for the glaze.
- Make sure to toast the pecans lightly to bring out their flavor but avoid burning them.
- The balsamic glaze can be made ahead and refrigerated; just warm slightly before using.
- For added texture, consider adding sliced almonds or walnuts in place of pecans.
- This salad is best served fresh to maintain the crispness of spinach and freshness of berries.
Keywords: Strawberry spinach salad, balsamic glaze, fresh berry salad, healthy salad recipe, easy summer salad
