Description
A fresh, sweet, and nutritious Spinach Salad with Berries combining tender baby spinach, mixed berries, crumbled feta cheese, toasted nuts, and thinly sliced red onions, all tossed in a simple balsamic vinaigrette. This vibrant salad is quick to prepare, packed with vitamins and antioxidants, and perfect for any season as a light meal or side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh baby spinach leaves, rinsed and dried
- 1 cup mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries), washed and dried
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/3 cup toasted nuts (pecans or almonds)
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
Dressing Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Rinse and thoroughly dry the baby spinach leaves to avoid sogginess. Wash the mixed berries carefully and pat them dry to retain their shape. Thinly slice the red onion. Lightly toast the chosen nuts in a skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until fragrant and crunchy, then set aside to cool.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard until well emulsified. Taste and adjust the sweetness or acidity to your preference.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the fresh baby spinach, mixed berries, and red onion slices. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Add Cheese and Nuts: Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese and toasted nuts on top just before serving to maintain their distinct textures and flavors.
Notes
- Dry your greens well to keep the salad crisp and prevent dressing dilution.
- Choose ripe, fresh berries for maximum sweetness and vibrant flavor.
- Toast nuts carefully to avoid burning and to achieve perfect crunch.
- Dress the salad just before serving to retain freshness and texture.
- Adjust the dressing ingredients to balance sweetness and tanginess according to your taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: spinach salad, berry salad, healthy salad, fresh salad, quick salad, vegetarian salad, gluten free salad