Strawberry Spinach Salad with Feta and Toasted Pecans
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Welcoming spring and summer with this fresh and easy Strawberry Spinach Salad with feta and toasted pecans. It’s a rite of the warmer season with fresh, sweet strawberries, crunchy pecans, and savory feta, drizzled with a sweet poppy seed dressing– A taste of sunny days in every bite.
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email, and we’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get delicious new recipes from us every Friday!
And when that elusive sun begins to shine, nothing tastes better in the world than a salad filled with fresh, seasonal yumminess. Crunchy greens and sweet berries. A match made in heaven.
How to Make Summer’s Best Strawberry Spinach Salad
I never think of this Strawberry Spinach Salad as a recipe. It ebbs and flows with the season, choosing the best greens (which is usually spinach) and the choicest berries (which is usually strawberries, but I’ve been known to add raspberries too).
But these are the basic ingredients in making this salad summer’s best.
Spinach. Any greens work well with this recipe but spinach and strawberries are classically delicious. But as the season goes along, choose the freshest greens you can find.
Strawberries. Choose juicy, ripe strawberries for this salad. I like to quarter the strawberries, but sliced or even halved is delicious too.
Toasted Pecans. This is the crunch that makes the salad out of this world delicious. Be sure to take the extra step to toast the pecans in a dry skillet before adding them to the salad. A nice change of pace is toasted sliced almonds.
Feta. And for the creamy, savory element, feta is my favorite cheese in this salad. Although goat cheese works deliciously well too. Buy crumbled feta (light if you prefer) for an easy salad addition.
Sweet Poppy Seed Dressing
Is there a more perfect union than Strawberry Spinach Salad drizzled with a Sweet Poppy Seed Dressing? I’m not sure I can think of one. Let me know if you can!
While it’s easier to reach for a ready-made, store-bought dressing, you’ll be incredibly glad you didn’t when you see how easy it is to whisk this dressing together. And delicious? Well, you’ll just have to find out for yourself. Believe me… it’s worth it.
Strawberry Spinach Salad Ingredients:
Olive oil is my favorite, but vegetable oil works too.
Vinegar. I like it made with white vinegar but white wine, red wine, apple cider, and balsamic vinegar are awesome too.
Sugar — yes, it is essential. But if you prefer honey, drizzle that in as a sub.
Poppy seeds give this dressing extra texture and deliciousness.
Mustard — I prefer Dijon mustard for that rich and savory tang, but a tiny squirt of yellow mustard works too.
More Recipes You Will Also Enjoy
SAVE THIS AND PIN IT FOR LATER!
If you are not already, you can follow me on Pinterest and keep up with me on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. If you make this recipe, I would love it if you would tag me in your photos and leave a star rating below!
To be notified of new recipes, subscribe to my e-mail list. It’s free, and you’ll also receive a free e-book of our reader’s favorite recipes.
Strawberry Spinach Salad with Feta and Toasted Pecans
Ingredients
Salad:
- 12 ounces baby spinach
- 16 ounces strawberries quartered
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/2 cup toasted pecans
Dressing:
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup vinegar white, red, apple cider, balsamic
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Sweet Poppy Seed Dressing and set aside.
- In a salad bowl, combine the spinach, strawberries, crumbled feta, and toasted pecans. Pour the salad over the greens and toss until evenly coated.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Excellent hit of the party light and refreshing
Hi Dennise! You made my day! Thank you for trying the recipe — and for letting me know. So glad everyone enjoyed it!
This is such a fresh idea, loved it! Thanks!