Strawberry Spinach Spring Salad
A bright, fresh salad with strawberry balsamic and lemon olive oil
When spring arrives, salads finally start to feel exciting again. Fresh berries appear, greens taste brighter, and simple vinaigrettes suddenly make everything shine.
This Strawberry Spinach Spring Salad is one of those effortless dishes that feels a little special without requiring much work. Sweet strawberries, creamy goat cheese, and toasted nuts come together with a simple vinaigrette made from strawberry balsamic and lemon olive oil.
The result is a salad that’s vibrant, balanced, and perfect for spring gatherings, Easter brunch, or an easy weeknight dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Salad
• Fresh spring flavors – sweet berries and bright citrus oil
• Quick to prepare – ready in about 10 minutes
• Beautiful presentation – perfect for entertaining
• Naturally balanced – sweet, tangy, creamy, and crunchy in every bite
It’s also incredibly versatile and pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, roasted salmon, or a simple spring dinner.
Ingredients
Salad
4 cups fresh baby spinach
1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
¼ cup goat cheese, crumbled
¼ cup toasted pecans or almonds
2 tablespoons thinly sliced red onion
Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette
2 tablespoons strawberry balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons lemon fused olive oil
pinch of sea salt
freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
Prepare the dressing
In a small bowl or jar, whisk together strawberry balsamic and lemon olive oil. Add a pinch of sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper.Assemble the salad
In a large bowl, combine spinach, sliced strawberries, red onion, and toasted nuts.Dress the salad
Drizzle the vinaigrette lightly over the salad and toss gently to coat.Finish and serve
Top with crumbled goat cheese and an additional drizzle of balsamic if desired.
Serve immediately.
Tips for the Best Strawberry Spinach Salad
Use ripe strawberries
The sweetness of the berries balances the tang of balsamic beautifully.
Toast the nuts
Lightly toasting pecans or almonds adds warmth and enhances their flavor.
Dress lightly
Start with a small amount of vinaigrette—you can always add more.
Add cheese last
This keeps the goat cheese from disappearing into the dressing.
Easy Variations
This salad is easy to customize depending on what you have on hand.
Try adding:
• grilled chicken for a light meal
• avocado slices for extra creaminess
• feta instead of goat cheese
• blueberries or raspberries for a mixed berry version
Perfect Pairings
This salad works beautifully with:
• roasted chicken
• grilled salmon
• quiche or brunch dishes
• Easter ham
It’s also lovely as part of a spring entertaining spread with bread, olives, and a few simple appetizers.
