When you’re craving something vibrantly fresh, impossibly easy, and downright beautiful, my Berry Spinach Salad is the answer. This salad brings together juicy berries, tender baby spinach, crunchy pecans, creamy feta, and a drizzle of homemade honey balsamic dressing—each bite is a perfect harmony of sweet, tart, and savory!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Gorgeous Color and Freshness: Every bowl bursts with vibrant greens, ruby strawberries, and sapphire blueberries for a salad that’s as pretty as it is delicious.
- Incredible Flavor Balance: The sweet berries, tangy feta, crunchy pecans, and sticky-sweet honey balsamic create a medley that keeps you coming back for just one more bite.
- Effortless to Make: You can toss this Berry Spinach Salad together in about 15 minutes—there’s zero fuss, but the payoff is huge.
- Crowd-Pleasing and Versatile: It’s just as perfect for weeknight dinners as it is for festive gatherings or summertime potlucks.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Berry Spinach Salad truly shines because of its handful of wholesome, colorful ingredients. Each component plays a specific role in taste and texture, so don’t skip a thing—together, they’re magic in a bowl!
- Fresh Spinach: Baby spinach is tender, mild, and forms a gorgeous, nutritious base for the salad.
- Blueberries: Plump and juicy, they add sweet-tart pops of flavor and beautiful color contrast.
- Strawberries: Slice them for best distribution—each bite gets a juicy, fragrant highlight.
- Pecans: When toasted, they add a warm, buttery crunch that pairs perfectly with fresh greens.
- Crumbled Feta Cheese: Both creamy and salty, feta brings out the brightness of the berries and adds a satisfying richness.
- Olive Oil: A good-quality olive oil forms the base of your honey balsamic dressing for extra flavor and silkiness.
- Honey Balsamic Vinegar: This combo is tangy, sweet, and the secret weapon for an addictive drizzle.
- Fresh Garlic: One little clove adds just enough bite to elevate the whole dressing—don’t skip it!
Variations
Half the fun of this Berry Spinach Salad is how endlessly customizable it is—change it up based on what you’ve got in the fridge or to match your dietary needs. Here are a few of my favorite spins:
- Swap the Nuts: Try toasted walnuts, sliced almonds, or even roasted sunflower seeds for different flavors and textures.
- Change the Cheese: Goat cheese or blue cheese crumbles make a lovely twist if feta isn’t your thing.
- Add Avocado: Sliced avocado makes the salad creamier and adds healthy fats for extra satiety.
- Protein Boost: Top with grilled chicken, salmon, or crispy tofu to turn this salad into a hearty main dish.
How to Make Berry Spinach Salad
Step 1: Toast the Pecans
Start by heating a skillet over medium-low and add the pecans. Toast them gently, stirring often, until they’re golden and fragrant. You’ll know they’re ready when you can barely resist eating one warm, straight from the pan—set them aside to cool while you prep the rest.
Step 2: Assemble the Salad Base
Add fresh spinach, blueberries, sliced strawberries, cooled toasted pecans, and crumbled feta to a large mixing bowl. The layers of color and texture already look irresistible even before the dressing makes its entrance.
Step 3: Whisk the Honey Balsamic Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, honey balsamic vinegar, and freshly minced garlic. The aroma will be mouthwatering! This dressing pulls all the flavors together with the perfect amount of shine and tang.
Step 4: Toss and Serve
Just before serving, pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss until all leaves and berries are beautifully coated. Serve immediately, so everyone gets to enjoy that perfect mix of crisp, juicy, and creamy textures at their freshest.
Pro Tips for Making Berry Spinach Salad
- Berry Freshness Matters: Use the ripest, juiciest berries you can find for the most flavorful salad. If your berries need a little help, macerate sliced strawberries with a sprinkle of sugar for 5 minutes.
- Don’t Skimp on Toasting: Toasting pecans is a small step with a big payoff—it deepens their flavor and adds irresistible crunch.
- Serve Immediately After Tossing: Once the dressing hits the spinach, the clock is ticking on that dreamy crispness, so toss just before eating.
- Dress It Up, Not Down: For a flavor explosion, drizzle half the dressing, toss, then taste and add more if needed—you want the salad glistening but not soggy.
How to Serve Berry Spinach Salad
Garnishes
Take your Berry Spinach Salad over the top with a light sprinkle of extra feta, a handful of microgreens, or even a zesting of lemon on top—the little touches make it look and taste restaurant-worthy!
Side Dishes
This salad plays well with just about anything. I love it alongside grilled chicken, salmon fillets, simple quiches, or grain bowls. It’s a cheerful, refreshing side that brightens up even classic comfort foods.
Creative Ways to Present
For an eye-catching presentation, serve the salad layered in glass bowls, or arrange it on a large platter with stripes of berries and cheese for a mosaic effect. Individual salad jars also make it perfect for picnics or meal-prep lunches!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftovers, store the undressed components in an airtight container for up to 2 days. If already dressed, enjoy as soon as possible—the spinach may wilt, but the flavors will still be delicious!
Freezing
Berry Spinach Salad is best enjoyed fresh, as freezing will compromise the texture of both the greens and the berries. For meal prep, just prep your ingredients ahead and assemble before serving.
Reheating
This salad doesn’t require reheating—simply give any leftover salad a gentle toss before eating to redistribute the dressing. If the pecans have lost their crunch, you can toast a fresh batch to add on top.
FAQs
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Can I make Berry Spinach Salad ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prep all the ingredients in advance—just keep the dressing and pecans separate. Toss everything together right before serving for the freshest result and best texture.
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What can I use instead of pecans?
Walnuts, slivered almonds, or even pistachios work beautifully. You can also go nut-free by using roasted pumpkin or sunflower seeds for added crunch and flavor.
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Can I use frozen berries?
Fresh is best for Berry Spinach Salad, but in a pinch, you can use frozen berries—just thaw and drain them well to prevent excess moisture and mushiness in the salad.
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How long will the dressing last in the fridge?
The homemade honey balsamic dressing will keep in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to one week. Just give it a good whisk or shake before using again.
Final Thoughts
This Berry Spinach Salad is one of my all-time favorite ways to celebrate the flavors of the season—you get bold color, lively taste, and pure feel-good freshness in every bowl. I truly hope you’ll give it a try and make it your own. Snap a photo and let me know how it turns out for you!
Print
Berry Spinach Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Tossing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This refreshing Berry Spinach Salad is a delightful mix of fresh spinach, sweet blueberries, juicy strawberries, crunchy pecans, and tangy feta cheese, all tossed in a light balsamic vinaigrette. It’s a perfect blend of flavors and textures that make for a satisfying and healthy meal.
Ingredients
Spinach
- 6 cups
Blueberries
- 1 cup
Strawberries
- 1 cup
Pecans
- 1/2 cup, toasted
Feta Cheese
- 1/2 cup, crumbled
Olive Oil
- 1/3 cup
Honey Balsamic Vinegar
- 1/4 cup
Garlic Clove
- 1 clove, minced
Instructions
- Toast Pecans: In a skillet over medium-low heat, toast the pecans until golden and fragrant. Set aside to cool.
- Prepare Salad: Combine spinach, blueberries, strawberries, pecans, and feta cheese in a large bowl.
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and garlic.
- Toss and Serve: Drizzle the dressing over the salad, toss to coat evenly, and serve immediately.
Notes
- You can customize this salad by adding grilled chicken or avocado for extra protein and flavor.
- This salad is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for a day.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
