Strawberry Spinach Salad

This Strawberry Spinach Salad will become your new go-to recipe for summer, it’s made with simple, flavorful ingredients like goat cheese, almonds, poppyseeds, strawberries, mandarins, and spinach, and you can make it family or party-sized!

 

Every year around this time, I start adding lots of salads into my meal rotations. The mix of seasonal produce is fresh, nutritious, and light (plus I get to avoid the stove!).

The only problem is, after a while, a simple garden salad can get a little — well — boring. That’s why I love this recipe for Strawberry Spinach Salad, which mixes sweet and savory flavors, as well as a tantalizing variety of textures.

I always keep my eye out for new salad inspiration, especially if it features seasonal fruits and veggies. I go strawberry picking every year, and this Strawberry Spinach Salad highlights one of the summer’s best fruits!

The sweet red berries pop against crispy spinach and a citrusy burst of juicy mandarin slices. It’s all topped with creamy goat cheese and a zesty homemade dressing, plus a sprinkle of almonds and poppy seeds add a delicious crunch.

I’ve made this salad so many times, I’ve given it a few tweaks to make it absolutely perfect. Originally, I used minced onion, but I prefer onion powder for a milder taste, plus a touch of garlic salt for an extra kick. And if you prefer a little more tang, switch out feta for goat cheese, which pairs just as well but lends a slightly bolder flavor.

Strawberry Spinach Salad is easy to make. It only takes 10-15 minutes to put together, but plan for prep to be about an hour because it takes 45 minutes to chill. Sometimes I make a batch of dressing ahead of time to make the process even simpler. The dressing keeps well in the fridge for a few days and can be used on other types salads, especially ones with fruit in them.

If I’m hosting a dinner or attending a potluck, I double the recipe to make a “party-sized” portion, and it’s always a hit. (People are especially impressed when I tell them that the dressing is homemade. It’s also a healthy dish to serve at summer barbecues alongside burgers, hotdogs, corn, and potato salad. Who’s ready to fire up the grill?

Whether you’re looking for a refreshing summer meal or a sweet and savory side dish, this Strawberry Spinach Salad will be one of your favorite go-to recipes. After all, what better way to enjoy some of this seasons’ star produce? If you’re looking for other delicious summer salads, try my Sweet Broccoli Salad and my Crunchy Ramen Noodle Salad.