Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe

Spinach: Fresh and vibrant, spinach serves as the base of the salad, providing a nutritious and leafy green foundation.

Strawberries: Sweet and juicy, strawberries add a burst of flavor and a touch of natural sweetness to the salad.

Toasted sliced almonds: These add a delightful crunch and a nutty flavor that complements the other ingredients.

Feta cheese: Crumbled feta cheese offers a tangy and creamy contrast to the sweetness of the strawberries.

Balsamic vinaigrette: A drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette ties all the flavors together, adding a touch of acidity and sweetness.

When preparing the spinach for this salad, make sure to wash and dry it thoroughly. Excess moisture can dilute the balsamic vinaigrette and make the salad soggy. Use a salad spinner to remove as much water as possible, ensuring the spinach leaves are crisp and ready to absorb the flavors of the dressing.

• fresh spinach - Substitute with kale: Kale has a similar texture and nutritional profile, making it a great alternative to spinach in salads.

• strawberries - Substitute with raspberries: Raspberries provide a similar sweet and tart flavor, adding a refreshing taste to the salad.

• toasted sliced almonds - Substitute with toasted sunflower seeds: Sunflower seeds offer a similar crunch and nutty flavor, making them a good replacement for almonds.

• crumbled feta cheese - Substitute with goat cheese: Goat cheese has a similar creamy texture and tangy flavor, which complements the other ingredients well.

• balsamic vinaigrette - Substitute with honey mustard dressing: Honey mustard dressing provides a sweet and tangy flavor that pairs nicely with the salad components.

• To keep your strawberry spinach salad fresh, store it in an airtight container. This will help maintain the crispness of the spinach and the juiciness of the strawberries.
• If you plan to enjoy the salad over a few days, store the dressing separately. This prevents the spinach from becoming soggy. Simply add the balsamic vinaigrette just before serving.
• For an extra layer of freshness, place a paper towel at the bottom of the container. This will absorb any excess moisture and keep the salad crisp.
• If you need to prepare the salad in advance, consider storing the almonds and feta cheese separately as well. This ensures they maintain their texture and don't soften from the moisture of the spinach and strawberries.
• When freezing, note that spinach and strawberries don't freeze well in a mixed salad. Instead, freeze the spinach and strawberries separately. Lay the spinach leaves flat in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. For the strawberries, slice and freeze them in a similar manner.
• To use frozen spinach and strawberries, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight. Note that the texture may change slightly, but they will still be delicious in your salad.
• Avoid freezing the almonds and feta cheese. These ingredients are best added fresh to maintain their crunch and creaminess.
• When ready to serve, simply combine the thawed spinach and strawberries with fresh almonds and feta cheese, then drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette and toss gently.

• Method 1: Room Temperature Revival

  1. Remove the strawberry spinach salad from the refrigerator.
  2. Let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes.
  3. Gently toss the salad to redistribute the balsamic vinaigrette and ensure even flavor.

• Method 2: Quick Microwave Refresh

  1. Place the salad in a microwave-safe bowl.
  2. Microwave on medium power for 10-15 seconds, just enough to take the chill off without wilting the spinach.
  3. Toss gently to mix the ingredients and serve immediately.

• Method 3: Oven Warm-Up

  1. Preheat your oven to 200°F (93°C).
  2. Spread the salad on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  3. Warm in the oven for about 5 minutes, keeping an eye on the spinach to prevent it from wilting.
  4. Remove from the oven, toss gently, and serve.

• Method 4: Stovetop Sauté

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over low heat.
  2. Add the salad to the skillet and stir gently for 1-2 minutes.
  3. Ensure the spinach and strawberries are warmed through but not cooked.
  4. Transfer to a serving bowl and enjoy immediately.

• Method 5: Warm Water Bath

  1. Fill a large bowl with warm (not hot) water.
  2. Place the container of salad (sealed) into the warm water for about 5 minutes.
  3. Remove the container, open it, and give the salad a gentle toss before serving.

• Large mixing bowl: To combine the spinach, strawberries, almonds, and feta cheese.

• Salad tongs: To toss the salad gently with the balsamic vinaigrette.

• Measuring cups: To measure out the spinach, strawberries, and almonds accurately.

• Measuring spoons: To measure the exact amount of balsamic vinaigrette.

• Cutting board: To slice the strawberries.

• Chef's knife: To slice the strawberries efficiently and safely.

• Toaster or skillet: To toast the sliced almonds to bring out their flavor.

• Serving bowl: To present the salad beautifully when serving.

Pre-wash and dry spinach: Save time by pre-washing and drying spinach in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge.

Use pre-sliced strawberries: Purchase pre-sliced strawberries or slice them the night before to save prep time.

Toast almonds ahead: Toast almonds in bulk and store them in an airtight container. They’ll be ready whenever you need them.

Pre-crumbled feta: Buy pre-crumbled feta cheese to skip the crumbling step.

Ready-made vinaigrette: Use a store-bought balsamic vinaigrette to eliminate the need for making your own dressing.