You ever stumble onto a recipe that accidentally becomes “your thing?” Like, that one dish you end up bringing to every potluck because everyone keeps asking for it? That’s exactly what happened with this Spinach Strawberry Salad. I swear, I made it once on a hot June afternoon, and now my friends act like I invented spinach or something.

Honestly, I can’t blame them. This salad tastes like spring jumped into your bowl, gave you a hug, and whispered, “Hey, you deserve something fresh today.”

Now, before you think this is another one of those Pinterest-prettified-but-secretly-bland salads… nope. This one hits differently. It’s sweet, tangy, crunchy, and juicy all at the same time — and IMO, that’s the kind of chaos we need in life.

Ever wondered why some salads feel like a sad side dish while others feel like a mini celebration? Let’s get into the good stuff. 🙂

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Why This Spinach Strawberry Salad Just Works

Fresh baby spinach. Sweet strawberries. Tangy dressing. Crunchy pecans. A little creamy cheese. Tell me that doesn’t already sound like a vibe?

But here’s what actually makes this version ridiculously addictive:

⭐ 1. Sweet + Tangy + Crunchy = Perfection

Every bite hits all the right notes — sweet strawberries, crisp spinach, candied nuts, and a zingy homemade vinaigrette.

⭐ 2. It Comes Together in 10 Minutes

Unless you’re slicing strawberries at the speed of a sloth… then maybe 12.

⭐ 3. It’s Crowd-Friendly

Kids like it. Adults inhale it. Even the “I don’t eat fruit in salads” people usually cave after one bite.

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My Personal Spinach Strawberry Salad Story

Quick rant: I used to think salads needed 20 ingredients to be impressive. Then I started making this one. One afternoon, I threw it together because I had leftover strawberries and a huge box of spinach starting to look tired. I whisked a quick dressing, tossed in candied pecans from a snack bag (yes, really), and… magic happened.

My partner walked past, stole a forkful, and said, “Why is this actually amazing?”

Now we make it so often that I keep backup strawberries in the fridge like we’re preparing for a fruit shortage.

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Let’s Talk Ingredients (and My Favorite Amazon Tools)

I don’t love clutter in my kitchen, so I only buy tools that I use all the time. These are the ones I actually used (and continue using) for this salad:

✔ Salad Spinner

I love this thing more than I probably should. It gets spinach dry in seconds.

OXO Good Grips Large Salad Spinner

✔Salad Dressing Shaker

No leaks, mixes dressing smoothly, dishwasher safe. Perfect for homemade vinaigrettes.
OXO Dressing Shaker

✔ Freeze-Dried Strawberries (for winter backup)

When strawberries aren’t in season, these save the day.
Augason Freeze-Dried Strawberries

Buying these is totally optional, but they make salad life easier.

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Ingredients You Need

(And yes, use fresh, ripe strawberries — the sad watery ones won’t cut it.)

For the Salad

• 6 cups fresh baby spinach
• 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
• ½ cup candied pecans (or toasted almonds)
• ¼ cup sliced red onion
• ½ cup crumbled feta or goat cheese
• 1 avocado, diced (optional but highly recommended)

For the Dressing

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• Salt + black pepper to taste

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How to Make Spinach Strawberry Salad (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Prep the Spinach

Rinse and dry your spinach thoroughly.
If you’re using the OXO salad spinner, this is the moment it shines.

Step 2: Slice the Strawberries

Cut them into thin slices so you get strawberry in every bite. Nobody wants a strawberry hogging all the attention in one spot.

Step 3: Make the Dressing

Whisk everything in a small bowl or shake it in your dressing shaker.
Taste it. If it tastes good, you’re golden. If it tastes “meh,” add a little more honey or vinegar until it sings.

Step 4: Assemble

In a big bowl, toss:

• Spinach
• Strawberries
• Red onion
• Pecans
• Feta/goat cheese
• Avocado

Step 5: Dress It Up

Pour the dressing right before serving.
Give it a gentle toss so everything gets coated but not drenched.

Cue angels singing. Your salad is ready.

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Tips & Tricks No One Tells You

✨ Use goat cheese if you want creamy heaven

Feta gives a salty punch, but goat cheese makes the whole salad taste silky and fancy.

✨ Add grilled chicken for a full meal

Great for lunch meal prep.

✨ Freeze your pecans for extra crunch

I learned this accidentally. Trust me — life-changing.

✨ If your strawberries lack sweetness, drizzle honey directly on them

Instant upgrade.

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Variations You Might Love

1. Strawberry Spinach Poppy Seed Salad

Add 1 tbsp poppy seeds to the dressing.

2. Berry Explosion Salad

Toss in blueberries + raspberries.

3. Tropical Twist

Add mango or pineapple chunks.
Yes, it sounds weird. Yes, it works.