15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad

OMG, 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad? YES, PLEASE!

Ever just want something fresh and vibrant that’s super easy to whip up? Like, you’re just staring at the fridge going, “What can I throw together in, like, 15 minutes?” Well, this salad is seriously your best friend. I mean, strawberries in a salad? Heck yeah!

Okay, let’s dive into what makes this salad pop.

Okay, Let’s Talk Ingredients

So, picture this: you’re in the grocery store, and you’re on a mission. You grab:

– 1 cup balsamic vinegar (the good stuff, trust me)
– Honey (or brown sugar if you’re feeling lazy, I won’t judge) —about 1/4 cup.
– 10 oz of fresh baby spinach. (I always end up with extra because I eat it like popcorn.)
– 3 cups strawberries (gotta wash and hull them, but it’s worth it promise!)
– 1 cup blueberries (like, don’t skip these, they’re the surprise gem!)
– 1/3 cup feta cheese (crumbled, obviously. It’s like magic!)
– And finally, 1 cup pecans—toast them for that crunch, or just go with what you have.

So Here’s Why I Make This Constantly

Okay, picture this: I had a bunch of friends over for a picnic (totally thought it was gonna be a disaster, but it was actually great). I needed something quick that looked fancy but didn’t require a degree in culinary arts. So, I threw this salad together. I was like, “Guys, I’m a chef!” (Spoiler: I’m really not). They inhaled it! Like, no joke, it was gone in seconds.

Every time I make it, I think of that sunny day and the laughter, and woo hoo, it’s just good vibes in a bowl. Plus, it’s so colorful—it’s like art, but edible!

The One Trick That Changes Everything

So, here’s the secret sauce (literally) — the balsamic dressing. Just mix that vinegar with honey (or sugar), whisk it up, and that’s it! It brings everything together and makes each bite just sing. I’ve made dressing that’s gone rogue before—too much vinegar, too little honey—so just taste as you go, okay?

Don’t Mess This Up (My Top Tips)

1. Fresh spinach is key: Don’t even think about using that sad, wilted stuff from the back of the fridge. It ruins the whole vibe.

2. Strawberries: Don’t skimp on these! The riper, the better. If they’re not sweet enough, the salad’s not gonna shine.

3. Balsamic dressing: Don’t drown your salad! Just a drizzle is perfect. You can always add more if you need it, but too much can turn this beauty into a soggy mess. Ugh.

4. Serve it right away!: It’s best fresh. If it sits too long, the spinach gets all wilty and sad.

How to Keep Them From Disappearing (Or, How to Store Them)

Okay, so, you probably won’t have leftovers (like, ever) but if you do, keep the dressing separate. Toss everything together right before serving. Otherwise, that poor spinach is gonna look like it had a rough day.

If You Liked This, You’ll Probably Like These Too

If you love this salad, you’ve gotta try my Mango Avocado Salad (it’s like summer in a bowl) or maybe the Quinoa Black Bean Salad (so filling and yum!). Seriously, just go for it!

So, what’s your go-to salad recipe? Have you tried playing with ingredients? I wanna know! 💚🍓