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    Home » Recipes » Salads

    Strawberry Spinach Salad

    Published: Apr 9, 2019 · Modified: Aug 10, 2022 by Kate Hackworthy · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Jump to Recipe

    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.

    A bowl of colorful tasty strawberry spinach salad with walnuts and a 5 ingredient toasted seed dressing with balsamic and maple syrup. Vegan recipe.

    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!

    Jump to:
    • Adaptations
    • Why this is the BEST spinach salad
    • Spinach Salad Dressing
    • Get the Spinach Salad Recipe
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments
    Salad on a table next to serving dish of salad.

    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

    Close up of a plate of salad on a table.

    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. 
    A bowl of vegan salad dressing with toasted seeds, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup and paprika.

    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!

    Serving dish of spinach salad.

    Get the Spinach Salad Recipe

    Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out for you!
    Leave a comment and star rating below and share a picture with the hashtag #veggiedesserts. I love seeing your recreations of my vegetarian and vegan recipes and cakes.

    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

    A bowl of colorful tasty strawberry spinach salad with walnuts and a 5 ingredient toasted seed dressing with balsamic and maple syrup. Vegan 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.

    More Salad Recipes

    • Quinoa and Black Beans
    • Zucchini Halloumi Couscous
    • Caprese Pasta Salad
    • Broad Bean Salad
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jennifer Gladwin

      June 22, 2021 at 6:52 am

      5 stars
      I would never have thought of putting spinach and strawberries together! I love them both though so we made it for dinner last night, with grilled chicken. SOOOOO good!

      Reply
    2. Sarah Bailer

      June 19, 2021 at 10:08 pm

      5 stars
      Made it. Really good. Added grilled salmon to the top for protein.

      Reply
    3. Jenni

      June 13, 2021 at 2:29 pm

      5 stars
      Oh yes this was a perfect salad. Made it for a neighbourhood party and everyone loved it! Making it again this weel for the family.

      Reply
    4. Neli Howard

      June 09, 2021 at 1:07 pm

      5 stars
      Ohmygosh. This salad has my name all over it. I love the combination of textures with the strawberries and spinach. And the dressing? Pure heaven. I am eating a giant bowl of leftovers for my lunch right now.

      Reply
    5. Rebec

      August 10, 2020 at 3:17 pm

      5 stars
      I love the combo of strawberries and spinach, but everything else you've added just makes it even better - we all loved this!

      Reply
    6. Emma

      April 19, 2020 at 8:28 pm

      5 stars
      Made it and love it. This is going straight into my regular spring lunch rotation - it was scrumptious!

      Reply
    7. Ashleigh Dougherty

      April 17, 2020 at 4:17 pm

      5 stars
      I would never normally add strawberries to a salad, but I do love them so I had to give it a try! We all loved this salad! Great way to use them up when they are sitting in the fridge.

      Reply
    8. Laura Dove

      July 11, 2019 at 5:43 pm

      5 stars
      This was really tasty and so lovely and colourful too! I love fruit in salads, especially in the summer. Will make this again!

      Reply
    9. Olivia J

      July 01, 2019 at 11:39 pm

      5 stars
      This was actually a really interesting and incredible combination. I've made it three times this month! Tried it with walnuts and pecans too.

      Reply
    10. Toni

      June 01, 2019 at 1:46 pm

      5 stars
      I loved it! Such an amazing salad!!

      Reply
    11. Karly

      April 17, 2019 at 7:05 pm

      5 stars
      Love this salad!! So easy and it was delicious.

      Reply
    12. Rhian westbury

      April 11, 2019 at 7:22 am

      I would never have thought about adding fruit especially a berry into a salad, I've only ever heard of apple before. But I bet you're right the balance between sweet and savoury must be lovely x

      Reply
    13. Treasure Every Moment

      April 10, 2019 at 2:44 pm

      Oo this sounds really interesting! I've not tried strawberries in something savoury before, but can imagine the sweetness really works 🙂

      Reply
    14. Micaela Levachyov

      April 09, 2019 at 4:40 pm

      5 stars
      I have to admit that I am not a fan of fruit in a salad but my family seem to love the idea so I am out voted!!

      Reply
    15. Kelly Anthony

      April 09, 2019 at 1:57 pm

      5 stars
      One of my favorite salad combinations is strawberries and spinach. It is just so good. I also like your simple and healthy dressing that brings the whole salad together.

      Reply
    16. kim

      April 09, 2019 at 1:31 pm

      5 stars
      Such a delicious recipe! Love this for springtime brunches!

      Reply
    17. Danielle Wolter

      April 09, 2019 at 1:14 pm

      5 stars
      i love a good spinach salad. there is something about spinach and strawberries that is just so great together. Def awesome for the warmer months coming up!

      Reply

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    Kate Hackworthy in the kitchen

    Hi, I'm Kate, a journalist, author and multi-award-winning food blogger. I hope you enjoy my vegetarian and vegan recipes. About Me

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    My cookbook

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    Check out my Veggie Desserts Cookbook, full of tasty desserts with vegetables!

    Kate Hackworthy in the kitchen

    Hi, I'm Kate, a journalist, author and multi-award-winning food blogger. I hope you enjoy my vegetarian and vegan recipes. About Me

    Collage of press logos.

    Popular recipes

    • The BEST Easy Red Lentil Dahl
    • Easy Naan Bread Recipe (yeast-free)
    • Mini Baked Potatoes
    • Easy Lentil Soup

    Healthy Recipes

    • Butternut Squash Salad
    • Easy Healthy Cabbage Soup
    • Easy Vegan Ramen (15 minutes)
    • Rajma Masala (Kidney Bean Curry)

    My cookbook

    Veggie Desserts and Cakes Cookbook cover.

    Check out my Veggie Desserts Cookbook, full of tasty desserts with vegetables!

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