Strawberry Spinach Salad

This strawberry spinach salad is fresh, colorful and has a tasty 5 ingredient dressing. It's a simple 15 minute recipe that adds a burst of flavour and 'wow' to your table. The easy dressing brings together the beautiful flavours of balsamic, maple syrup and fragrant toasted seeds. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten free.

This is one of my favourite salads. And I LOVE salads so that's saying a lot.

There is just something so special when strawberries and spinach come together. The sweet fruit really balances the earthy green leaves. The crunch of the fragrant walnuts just adds to the wonder of this super salad. All those nutrients and goodness just make you feel awesome when you eat it!

To really bring out the flavours in the spinach strawberry walnut salad, I've added a really great dressing. 5 simple ingredients come together as something really special here.

Toasting the seeds brings out their flavour. I've then paired them with balsamic vinegar for acidity in the dressing, maple syrup for sweetness and a little paprika for a bit of WOW flavour.

I love eating spinach raw, but whenever I have leftover I usually just cook it on the stovetop for an easy hit of iron and goodness.

Be sure to also check out these 28 Tasty Healthy Salad Recipes!

Adaptations

There are many ways you can adapt this simple spinach salad! Try adding some of these ingredients:

• Swap the walnuts for other nuts, such as pecans, pistachios, almonds etc...
• Try different types of seeds in the dressing. Toasting them makes them fragrant and delicious. 
• If strawberries aren't in season, try using raspberries, blueberries, blackberries etc instead.
• Swap half of the spinach for other types of lettuce. 
• For vegetarians, try adding a little crumbled gorgonzola, blue cheese or feta.
• Veggies could also try adding a few sliced boiled eggs.
• If you're serving this salad for dinner, why not try Vanilla Spinach Cake for dessert!

If you're looking for more salad recipes, try these!
Shaved Sprout Salad (vegan)
Broccoli Salad (vegan)
Brazilian Gaucho Potato Salad (vegetarian)
Creamy Pea Salad (vegetarian)
Vegan Caesar Salad (vegan)
Fruit Salad (vegan)
Green Salad with Pepita Dressing

Why this is the BEST spinach salad

• This is a sugar free dressing. Many spinach salad recipes call for a lot of sugar in the dressing, but I've used just a little maple syrup so the flavour of the spinach and strawberries shines through.
• This is a fresh and colorful salad.
• It's easy to make in just 15 minutes.
• It's perfect for a party, picnic or potluck! Just bring the spinach salad dressing in a jar and add it before serving.
• This recipe makes the most of spring and summer's best produce.
• It's an easy spinach salad - seriously, just toast the seeds, add the other ingredients and stir. Then toss the salad ingredients, pour on the dressing and presto! It's ready. 
• The tasty toasted seed dressing has balsamic, maple syrup, red onion, seeds and a little paprika. It's bursting with flavours that compliment the spinach, strawberries and walnuts.
• This is a vegan spinach salad with a dairy free dressing.  
• This simple spinach salad tastes AMAZING. 

Spinach Salad Dressing

This dressing is easy but full of flavour and perfect for the spinach strawberry salad. Many spinach salad dressings are full of sugar, but this is my refined sugar free version, using a little maple syrup for sweetness.

To make it, just toast the seeds lightly in a dry frying pan to really bring out their flavour.

Then add them to a bowl with very finely chopped red onion as well as the maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, oil and a little paprika (optional).

Stir it together and it's ready to dress the salad!

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Thanks for checking out my recipe. I love hearing from my readers. You all allow me to do what I love and write this UK food blog, sharing vegetarian and vegan recipes, vegetable cake recipes, vegan cake and also easy vegan desserts.
Kate x

📖 Recipe

Strawberry Spinach Salad

Kate Hackworthy | Veggie Desserts

This strawberry spinach salad is fresh, colorful and has a tasty 5 ingredient dressing. It's a simple 15 minute recipe that adds a burst of flavour and 'wow' to your table.

5 from 17 votes

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Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 5 mins

Total Time 15 mins

Course Salad

Cuisine American, gluten-free, Vegan, Vegetarian, Western

Servings 6

Calories 118 kcal

Ingredients

 

• 2 tablespoon seeds I used a mix of sesame, flax, sunflower and pumpkin
• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• ⅛ teaspoon paprika optional
• ¼ red onion very finely diced
• Salt and pepper
• 2 cups (250g) fresh spinach, rinsed and dried
• 1 cup (250g) strawberries, halved, quartered or sliced depending on their size
• ¼ cup (30g) walnuts roughly chopped

Instructions

 

For the spinach salad dressing

• Heat a dry frying pan and add the seeds. Toast them by tossing gently in the hot pan until they begin to turn golden and fragrant.
• Add the toasted sesame seeds to a bowl with the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, paprika and onion. Season with salt and pepper. Chill until ready to serve.

For the spinach salad

• In a large serving bowl, add the spinach (if the leaves are very large, chop them slightly) and gently toss with the strawberries and walnuts. Drizzle with the dressing and serve.

Notes

• Don’t add the dressing until serving.
• Keep the dressing in the fridge until ready to dress the salad and serve.

Adaptations: 

• Swap the walnuts for other nuts, such as pecans, pistachios, almonds etc...
• Try different types of seeds in the dressing. Toasting them makes them fragrant and delicious. 
• If strawberries aren't in season, try using raspberries, blueberries, blackberries etc instead.
• Swap half of the spinach for other types of lettuce. 

Nutrition

Calories: 118kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 2gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 10mgPotassium: 134mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 960IUVitamin C: 17.2mgCalcium: 22mgIron: 0.6mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

Tried this recipe?Mention @kateveggiedesserts or tag #veggiedesserts! I love seeing your recreations.