Best Spinach Strawberry Salad (Homemade Dressing) + Video

This Spinach Strawberry Salad will rock your world! Combine fresh spinach, sweet berries, avocado, and candied nuts into the best salad ever. This is my go-to summer salad that I make for every family dinner. I can’t get over those fresh strawberries! 

Salads are especially delicious in the warmer months, but it’s also a fun way to add extra flavor to any meal. 

I love this strawberry mozzarella salad with balsamic vinaigrette. 

The best part about making this delicious strawberry spinach salad is that you can use juicy strawberries that are in season.

Sweet strawberries this time of year are the best – and there’s nothing like in-season, fresh ingredients. 

Not only does this make a beautiful salad, but it creates one that is loaded with the sweetness of the ripe strawberries paired with the salty feta cheese. 

For me, this is the perfect salad because of all the different ways that you can layer and enjoy it. 

During summer is the perfect time of year to make this fresh salad because the simple ingredients used are ripe and in-season. 

This is also a great addition to a Mother’s Day meal and the perfect side dish for a family gathering or party. 

This easy spinach salad has the best flavor and is one of my favorite salads when I want to eat a little lighter. 

Grab a large salad bowl and load with fresh baby spinach, ripe strawberries, and the rest of the simple ingredients listed on the recipe card below! 

Spinach Strawberry Salad

This divine strawberry spinach salad recipe starts with baby spinach, fresh berries, and thinly sliced red onion. 

Buttery avocado and tangy blue cheese crumbles add so much incredible flavor.

Finish it all off with a Dijon mustard dressing — I dare you not to go back for seconds!

The candied pecans are especially tasty. I usually make a double batch and save half for later. They’re great for snacking or sprinkling over homemade ice cream.

Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Hull berries easily. Use this handy tool to save some time (and your fingers)! You can also push a large straw through the bottom of each berry to remove the stem and leaves in one go.
  
• Add some protein! Grill and slice up some chicken breasts to turn this spinach strawberry salad into a full meal!
  
• Not a fan of blue cheese? Mozzarella, feta, or goat cheese are all fantastic substitutions.
  
• Reduce the sugar. Swap the candied nuts with plain pecans or walnuts. You can also eliminate the sugar from the dressing for strawberry spinach salad.
  
• Try a different oil. I love the mild flavor of extra light-tasting olive oil, but extra virgin tastes just as great. Avocado or sunflower oil are great options as well.

You can even add some creamy avocado to the salad, or some sunflower seeds for an added crunch. The great thing about making this strawberry salad recipe is that you can alter the salad ingredients as you see fit.

Make it a fun and delicious colorful salad that adds a bright pop of color to your dinner table! It’s sure to be a real crowd-pleaser no matter how you decide to make and serve this healthy salad. 

Best Dressing for Strawberry Spinach Salad

I think a tangy dressing complements the sweetness of spinach strawberry salad best!

My homemade recipe includes olive oil, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and garlic — plus salt, pepper, and paprika for flavor and a touch of heat.

Other popular options included poppyseed dressing, balsamic vinaigrette, or raspberry vinaigrette. There are no wrong choices here!

Serving Suggestions

Serve strawberry salad with spinach alongside grilled steak or chicken for a simple, delicious meal.

It also tastes great with any holiday meal and is a lighter option to more popular side dishes.

Strawberry Spinach Salad FAQ‌

How do you mellow out red onions? 
 

The vinegar in the dressing for strawberry spinach salad will help draw out the onion’s natural sweetness. 

You could also soak the slices in ice water for 20 to 30 minutes first. Be sure to pat them dry before adding them to the strawberry salad.

  Can I make this strawberry spinach salad recipe ahead of time? 
 

While strawberry spinach salad is best served fresh, you could certainly prep the ingredients in advance! Then, throw it all together before taking it to the table.

Candy the nuts, then cool and store them at room temp in an airtight container. 

The berries and sliced onions can be refrigerated in separate containers, along with the jar of dressing.

I do recommend slicing the avocado at the last minute so it doesn’t brown. If the dressing has solidified, just give it a good shake!

Enjoy!

With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.

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Other Easy Salad Recipes

Originally published May 2016, updated and republished April 2025

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