Looking for the ultimate fresh, sweet, and savory salad that can brighten any meal? Meet your new favorite: the Strawberry Feta Spinach Salad. This colorful bowl brings together juicy strawberries, creamy feta, crisp baby spinach, and crunchy nuts—all dressed in a tangy balsamic vinaigrette that ties every bite together. It’s a delicious way to celebrate seasonal produce while still keeping things light and nutritious.
Perfect as a main course or a side, this salad checks all the boxes: quick to make, bursting with flavor, visually stunning, and packed with nutrients. Whether you’re serving it up on a warm summer night, prepping lunches for the week, or adding color to your holiday table, this feta salad recipe is a crowd-pleaser through and through.
🌿 Why This Salad Works
This salad isn’t just pretty—it’s perfectly balanced in taste and texture. Here’s why it’s so satisfying:
- Sweetness from fresh strawberries
- Creaminess from feta cheese and avocado (if using)
- Crunch from toasted nuts
- Earthy freshness from spinach
- Zing from red onions and balsamic dressing
Together, these ingredients make a stunning dish that’s satisfying without being heavy. It’s no surprise that this is one of the best salad recipes you’ll find for spring and summer.
🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need
Salad Base:
- 6 cups baby spinach, washed and dried
- 1½ cups strawberries, hulled and sliced
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ½ cup toasted walnuts or pecans
- ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 avocado, peeled and diced (optional, for extra creaminess)
Balsamic Vinaigrette:
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 teaspoons honey (or maple syrup for a vegan option)
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder or 1 small clove garlic, finely minced
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
⏱️ Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Vinaigrette
In a small bowl or mason jar, whisk together balsamic vinegar, honey, mustard, and garlic. While whisking, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside or refrigerate until ready to use.
💡 Expert Tip: For a thicker, glossier vinaigrette, use aged balsamic vinegar or reduce regular balsamic in a saucepan until syrupy.
Step 2: Toast the Nuts
Place the walnuts or pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat. Stir occasionally for 3–5 minutes, or until lightly golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and let them cool.
🥜 Why toast? Toasting nuts enhances their natural oils, giving them a richer, more intense flavor that complements the creamy feta and sweet strawberries.
Step 3: Assemble the Salad
In a large serving bowl, gently layer the spinach, sliced strawberries, avocado chunks, and red onion. Sprinkle the crumbled feta and cooled nuts over the top.
Step 4: Dress and Serve
Drizzle your homemade balsamic vinaigrette over the salad just before serving. Toss lightly to combine, or serve the dressing on the side for a make-your-own experience.
🥗 Serving suggestion: Plate the salad in a shallow bowl or large platter to show off its colorful ingredients—presentation matters!
🧬 Nutritional Benefits
One of the reasons this strawberry feta spinach salad is so popular—beyond taste—is its stellar nutritional profile.
✔️ Spinach
A nutrient powerhouse, spinach is low in calories and high in vitamins A, C, and K. It’s also a great source of plant-based iron, magnesium, and folate.
✔️ Strawberries
Rich in antioxidants, strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C and fiber. They help boost immunity, improve skin health, and promote digestion.
✔️ Feta Cheese
Though it’s a cheese, feta is lower in fat and calories than many other options. It adds a tangy contrast and provides calcium and protein.
✔️ Nuts
Walnuts and pecans are full of healthy fats, protein, and antioxidants. They support heart and brain health and help keep you full longer.
✔️ Olive Oil
A staple of the Mediterranean diet, olive oil contains monounsaturated fats and powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
This recipe is perfect for anyone seeking healthy salad recipes that are delicious and nourishing at the same time.
🥄 Make It a Meal: Add-Ons & Customizations
This salad is incredibly versatile. Here are a few ways to take it from a light side dish to a full meal:
🐔 Add Protein
- Grilled chicken breast
- Pan-seared salmon
- Grilled shrimp
- Chickpeas or white beans (for a plant-based option)
🧀 Change the Cheese
- Goat cheese for a milder, creamy twist
- Blue cheese if you like it bold
- Vegan feta for a dairy-free version
🥬 Switch the Greens
- Baby arugula (peppery)
- Romaine lettuce (crisp)
- Mixed greens or spring mix (delicate)
🍊 Add Fruit
- Mandarin oranges
- Pomegranate seeds
- Diced apples or pears
🌾 Add Grains
- Cooked quinoa
- Farro
- Couscous
These additions help transform this simple spinach salad recipe into something heartier and suitable for lunch or dinner.
🧺 Meal Prep & Storage Tips
This salad is ideal for meal prepping, picnics, or entertaining. Here’s how to make it ahead and keep it fresh:
- Wash and dry spinach thoroughly, then store in a paper towel-lined container.
- Slice strawberries and store them in a separate sealed container.
- Make the vinaigrette and refrigerate in a jar for up to 7 days.
- Toast nuts and store in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Assemble just before serving to prevent wilting and sogginess.
❄️ Leftovers? Store undressed salad in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. If already dressed, try to consume it within 24 hours.
🍽️ Ideal Occasions for Strawberry Feta Spinach Salad
This salad is a showstopper and a true seasonal staple, perfect for:
- Brunch gatherings
- Summer potlucks
- Mother’s Day or Easter brunch
- Holiday starters (like Thanksgiving or Christmas)
- Weeknight dinners
- Romantic date nights or picnics
Its vibrant colors and fresh flavors always wow guests and add elegance to any meal.
🧑🍳 Resep Salad: International Appeal
This recipe isn’t just popular in Western kitchens—it’s gaining attention globally as a go-to resep salad for modern, health-conscious cooks. The universal appeal of strawberries and feta crosses cultures, making it a welcome dish in many cuisines. Add a little Mediterranean flair with kalamata olives or Middle Eastern flair with za’atar-spiced nuts.
🥇 Expert Tips for Success
- Use ripe, sweet strawberries – Local or organic ones have the best flavor.
- Dry your greens thoroughly – Wet spinach will dilute the dressing and make your salad soggy.
- Layer instead of tossing aggressively – Especially with soft ingredients like avocado and strawberries.
- Salt lightly – The feta adds saltiness, so taste before seasoning more.
- Use high-quality olive oil – It makes all the difference in a vinaigrette.
🌟 Final Thoughts
When it comes to salads that are light yet satisfying, this Strawberry Feta Spinach Salad hits the mark. It’s an effortless way to showcase seasonal ingredients while maintaining a perfect balance of flavors and textures. With just a handful of fresh, healthy ingredients, you’ll create a dish that’s both nourishing and beautiful.
Whether you’re eating clean, meal prepping, or throwing a backyard gathering, this is one of those spinach salad recipes you’ll want to make again and again. Bookmark this page, print the recipe card, and give it a try. You won’t be disappointed.
