15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe
A fresh and vibrant 15-minute strawberry spinach salad featuring a homemade balsamic glaze dressing, juicy berries, crumbled feta, and toasted pecans for a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and crunchy flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 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, sliced)
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1/3 cup feta cheese (crumbled)
- 1 cup pecans (toasted, some chopped)
Instructions
- Make the Salad Dressing – Balsamic Glaze: In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup balsamic vinegar and 1/4 cup honey over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Simmer and Reduce: Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and reduces by about half, which takes approximately 10 minutes.
- Cool the Glaze: Remove the saucepan from heat and pour the balsamic glaze into a heat-proof bowl to cool. The glaze will thicken further as it cools to a consistency thick enough to coat the back of a spoon without being overly thick.
- Prepare the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the 10 oz fresh baby spinach, 3 cups sliced strawberries, 1 cup blueberries, and 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese. Toss gently to mix all ingredients evenly.
- Serve and Garnish: Divide the salad into individual serving bowls. Top each bowl with a combination of whole and chopped toasted pecans.
- Dress the Salad: Drizzle the balsamic glaze over each serving just before serving to add a sweet and tangy finish.
Notes
- For a nut-free version, omit pecans or substitute with seeds like pumpkin or sunflower.
- Use fresh seasonal berries for best flavor and texture.
- The balsamic glaze can be made in advance and refrigerated; warm slightly before using for easier drizzling.
- Toast pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- Honey can be substituted with brown sugar to adjust sweetness and flavor.
Keywords: Strawberry spinach salad, balsamic glaze, quick salad, healthy salad, feta cheese salad, pecan salad, summer salad, berry salad
