15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe
A fresh and vibrant 15-minute strawberry spinach salad featuring sweet berries, tangy balsamic glaze, toasted pecans, and creamy feta cheese. This delightful salad balancing sweet, savory, and crunchy textures makes a perfect light meal or side dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Dressing – Balsamic Glaze
- 1 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup honey (or brown sugar)
Salad
- 10 oz baby spinach (fresh)
- 3 cups strawberries (cleaned, hulled, and sliced)
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1/3 cup feta cheese (crumbled)
- 1 cup pecans (toasted, some chopped)
Instructions
- Make the Balsamic Glaze: In a small saucepan, combine the balsamic vinegar and honey over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Stir occasionally as it cooks until it thickens and reduces by about half, which usually takes around 10 minutes.
- Cool the Glaze: Remove the saucepan from heat and transfer the balsamic glaze to a heat-proof bowl to cool. The glaze will thicken further as it cools, achieving a consistency thick enough to coat the back of a spoon but not overly thick.
- Prepare the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the baby spinach, sliced strawberries, blueberries, and crumbled feta cheese. Toss everything gently to mix the ingredients evenly.
- Plate the Salad: Divide the salad mixture into individual serving bowls or plates to create separate portions.
- Add Pecans and Glaze: Top each serving with both whole and chopped toasted pecans for added crunch. Finally, drizzle the balsamic glaze over each salad to finish.
Notes
- To toast pecans, place them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- The balsamic glaze can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to one week; bring to room temperature before using.
- Feel free to substitute honey with brown sugar in the glaze depending on your sweetness preference.
- This salad is best served fresh to enjoy the crispness of the spinach and freshness of the berries.
Keywords: Strawberry spinach salad, balsamic glaze, fresh salad, healthy salad, quick salad recipe, berry salad, pecan salad, feta cheese salad
