This Strawberry Feta Spinach Salad is refreshing and full of delicious flavor. Sweet, tangy, and crunchy, it’s the perfect dish for a light lunch or side at dinner.
If you love spinach salads, then you should try this Spinach Pomegranate Salad and Smoked Salmon Spinach Salad.
Table Of Contents
Recipe Details
I love this Strawberry Feta Spinach Salad because it’s the perfect meal on a hot summer day. This simple salad has just the right flavor to refresh you.
- TASTE: Sweet, tart, nutty, and cheesy, this salad has so much great flavor. It’s just what you’ve been craving this season.
- TEXTURE: Tender spinach leaves are paired with crunchy candied pecans and creamy feta cheese for a combo you can’t resist.
- TIME: This salad takes only 5 minutes.
- EASE: This is quick and easy. You can whip up this great dish in minutes.
What You’ll Need
Ingredient Notes
- Butter– Salted butter will add more flavor.
- Brown Sugar– This has a richer flavor than regular white sugar.
- Pecans– Raw or salted is fine.
- Feta cheese- Use a block of feta that you crumble yourself for a more creamy texture.
- Berries- Fresh strawberries and blueberries. Only use fresh, as frozen and thawed berries are soggy.
- Baby Spinach- You can also use Spring Salad Mix in its place.
- Poppyseed Salad Dressing– This dressing is creamy and tangy, perfect for this Strawberry Feta Spinach Salad.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Substitute another dressing- You can make this salad with any dressing you like, such as this Greek Salad Dressing, Easy Cilantro Lime Dressing, or balsamic vinegar.
- Add other fruit- Try this salad with an assortment of fruit, including raspberries, kiwi, apple, pomegranate, or pear.
- Substitute different nuts- Make this salad with candied walnuts, pistachios, cashews, or almonds.
- Use other cheeses- Gorgonzola, bleu cheese, goat cheese, or Parmesan cheese are also great salad additions.
How to Make Strawberry Feta Spinach Salad
- Caramelize the pecans. First, roast the chopped pecans in a small saucepan over medium-high heat for about 3 minutes. Then melt in the butter and add the brown sugar, letting them caramelize for no more than 5 minutes.
- Cool the pecans. Transfer the pecans to parchment paper to let them cool.
Pro Tip: Make sure to scatter the cooling pecans so they don’t set as one big clump.
- Assemble the salad. Cut the strawberries into slices. Then fill a bowl with the salad mix and arrange the feta, strawberries, blueberries, and pecans on top. Drizzle on the poppyseed dressing. Serve as is or toss first.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t roast the nuts too long- The pecans can take on a bitter, burnt taste if they are roasted for too long, so only heat them for about 3 minutes.
- Don’t burn the sugar- Let the sugar and butter caramelize for no more than 5 minutes to avoid the sugar burning.
- Separate the pecans- These can cool into one big clump, so make sure to scatter them across the parchment paper while they’re still hot so they cool separately.
- Use block feta cheese over crumbles- The crumbles use anti-caking agents that give it a dry and somewhat hard texture. Block feta that you crumble yourself is creamier.
FAQs
You should cut your strawberries into slices. This makes them easy to eat with the rest of the salad ingredients. You could also cut them in halves if they’re on the small side.
Yes, you can prepare this Spinach Salad ahead of time by making the candied pecans and assembling the salad. Don’t dress the salad until you are ready to serve so that the spinach doesn’t wilt.
Serving Suggestions
This Strawberry Feta Spinach Salad is a versatile summer salad that makes a yummy lunch or serves as a side dish for dinner. Enjoy it at your next get-together or barbecue.
- Meats: Serve this with Smoked Chicken Thighs, Air Fryer Pork Chops (VIDEO), Smoked Beef Brisket, or Garlic Butter Steak Bites.
- Sandwiches: Enjoy it alongside a Brisket Sandwich, Turkey Croissant Sandwich, Caprese Sandwich, or Classic BLT Sandwich.
- Soups: Make it into a soup-and-salad combo with a bowl of Potato Leek Soup, Tortellini Soup, Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup, or Easy French Onion Soup.
- Bread: Serve some toasted bread and butter with this delicious salad. Try this Focaccia Bread, Multigrain Harvest Bread, or Sourdough Bread.
Make This Recipe in Advance
Make ahead: You can prep this salad by candying the pecans and then cutting the strawberries. Assemble the salad without dressing, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate.
Storing: This Strawberry Feta Spinach Salad without dressing will last for about 2-3 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If you have added dressing, it should be eaten within a day as it will get soggy.
Freeze: You can freeze the candied pecans in an airtight ziplock bag for up to 6 months. The rest of the salad ingredients should not be frozen.
More Delicious Salads!
- Spinach Pomegranate Salad
- Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad
- Cucumber Radish Salad
- Chicken Salad With Grapes
Full Recipe Instructions
Strawberry Feta Spinach Salad
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 cup pecans chopped or in halves
- 1/4 cup crumbled traditional feta cheese
- 1 1/2 cup strawberries
- 3/4 cup blueberries
- 5 oz spring salad mix
- Poppy seed dressing
Instructions
- Roast the chopped pecans in a small saucepan over medium-high heat for about 3 minutes.
- Add in the butter. Once it's melted, add in the brown sugar. Let the sugar and butter caramelize for no more than 5 minutes.
- Transfer the pecans onto parchment paper to let them cool. Make sure to scatter them so they don't set as one big clump.
- Cut the strawberries into slices. Then fill a bowl with the spiny salad mix and arrange the feta, strawberries, blueberries, and pecans on top. Drizzle the poppyseed dressing and enjoy.
Notes
- Don’t roast the nuts too long- The pecans can take on a bitter, burnt taste if they are roasted for too long, so only heat them for about 3 minutes.
- Don’t burn the sugar- Let the sugar and butter caramelize for no more than 5 minutes to avoid the sugar burning.
- Separate the pecans- These can cool into one big clump, so make sure to scatter them across the parchment paper while they’re still hot so they cool separately.
- Use block feta cheese over crumbles- The crumbles use anti-caking agents that give it a dry and somewhat hard texture. Block feta that you crumble yourself is creamier.
Nutrition
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Dawn says
I LOVE THIS RECIPE. You will never bring any home with you when serving at an outing. I loved your suggestions about the cooking time for the pecans and using the block feta cheese as I wasn’t aware of either one.
Dina says
Thank you Dawn! I am so glad that you enjoyed this salad so much!
Anna says
Have not been brave enough to try fruits in salad yet! Maybe some day LOL
simplyhomecooked says
If you visit Lilya Shudrya’s house when you come down to Washington, I’m sure she will make this salad 🙂
Valentina says
I make something similar.. I don’t add any feta I just add regular pecans, canned mandarins, grilled chicken, and I make my own dressing using
1/2 cup mayo
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup milk
1/8 cup vinegar
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
simplyhomecooked says
That sounds so yummy! I will have to try your recipe 🙂
Katy | Her Cup of Joy says
I love salads with fruit! They are absolutely delicious, and those pecans look like they add some much flavor to the salad, yum!
simplyhomecooked says
The candied pecans are so good. I always make extra to snack on 😉