Strawberry Spinach Salad
User Reviews
5
Strawberry Spinach Salad
Description
Strawberry Spinach Salad features a balance of fresh greens, ripe strawberries, sharp red onion, and creamy feta cheese. The homemade balsamic vinaigrette provides tanginess with hints of honey and Dijon mustard, while minced garlic and dried basil add subtle depth. The candied pecans introduce a sweet crunch from brown sugar and butter cooking into the nuts until glossy and evenly coated.
The salad offers a mix of textures: tender spinach leaves, juicy strawberries, crisp onion slices, and the crunchy pecans all tossed with the smooth, tangy vinaigrette. It's well suited for a light lunch or a side dish accompanying grilled proteins.
The dressing should be shaken or whisked well to evenly combine the ingredients. Allow candied pecans to cool completely on parchment to set their coating before adding to the salad, ensuring a non-sticky texture.
Ingredients
Balsamic Vinaigrette
- 1/3 cup olive oil $1.10
- 3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar $0.45
- 2 Tbsp honey $0.50
- 1/2 Tbsp Dijon mustard $0.09
- 1 garlic $0.08, clove, minced
- 1/2 tsp basil $0.05, dried
- 1/4 tsp salt $0.01
- 1/4 tsp black pepper $0.02, freshly cracked
Candied Pecans
- 1/2 Tbsp butter $0.07
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar $0.08
- 1 pinch salt $0.01
- 1/2 cup pecans $1.15, chopped
Salad
- 8 oz baby spinach $1.83
- 1/2 lb strawberry $1.25, sliced
- 1/4 red onion $0.21, thinly sliced
- 2 oz feta cheese $1.82, crumbled
Instructions
- Start by making the homemade balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Add the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic clove, dried basil, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper to a jar, bowl, or blender. Close the jar and shake the ingredients together, whisk in a bowl, or blend until the dressing is evenly combined. Set the dressing aside.
- Next make the candied pecans. Add the butter, brown sugar and a pinch of salt to a small non-stick skillet. Heat over medium heat while stirring.
- Once the butter and brown sugar begins to melt add the chopped pecans to the skillet and stir with the brown sugar mixture. Continue to cook over medium heat, stirring every 10-15 seconds until the brown sugar fully melts (looks glossy instead of grainy) and completely coats the pecans.
- Remove the skillet from the heat immediately and transfer the candied pecans to a parchment lined baking sheet. Spread the pecans out evenly in a flat layer and allow them to cool for 10 minutes while the candied coating fully hardens.
- Now prep the strawberries, red onion and feta cheese. Remove the stems and slice the strawberries, thinly slice the red onion, and crumble the feta. Set these ingredients to the side.
- Divide the spinach between four plates. Drizzle 2 Tbsp of balsamic vinaigrette on top of each bed of spinach.
- Add sliced strawberries, red onions, a tablespoon or two of candied pecans, and a tablespoon of feta cheese to each salad. Feel free to drizzle a little more balsamic vinaigrette over the top of each and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4side salads
Amount Per Serving
Calories 405 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 405kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 27g | 9% |
| Protein | 6g | 12% |
| Fat | 33g | 51% |
| Sodium | 400mg | 17% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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