Name: 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 1 cup balsamic vinegar; ¼ cup honey or brown sugar; 10 oz baby spinach, fresh; 3 cups strawberries, cleaned, hulled, and sliced; 1 cup blueberries; ⅓ cup feta cheese, crumbled; 1 cup pecans, toasted, some chopped

If you’re hunting for a salad that is as quick as it is stunning, you’ll absolutely fall for this 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad. This colorful medley of fresh spinach, juicy strawberries, sweet blueberries, toasted pecans, creamy feta, and a glossy homemade balsamic glaze is not only a feast for the eyes but an explosion of flavors and textures. Whether you’re looking for a nutritious weekday side, a potluck showstopper, or something special for a festive table, this recipe will win hearts (and appetites) in no time flat!

15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of the 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad lies in its simplicity: every ingredient is purposeful, contributing to the flavor harmony, tender crunch, or vibrant color that makes this dish so irresistible. Here’s what you’ll need and why each one matters:

Balsamic Vinegar: This forms the tangy backbone of your homemade glaze, weaving sweet and tart flavors throughout each bite.
Honey or Brown Sugar: Adds natural sweetness and richness, balancing the acidity of the balsamic for a glossy, irresistible finishing drizzle.
Baby Spinach (fresh): The lush, tender leaves serve as the salad’s base, providing a fresh green crunch and plenty of nutrients.
Strawberries (cleaned and hulled, sliced): These beauties burst with natural sweetness and color, perfectly complementing the rich glaze.
Blueberries: Their juicy pop and subtle tartness round out the fruity flavors and make the salad extra pretty.
Feta Cheese (crumbled): The creamy, tangy crumbles bring a lovely contrast and help make every forkful a little indulgent.
Pecans (toasted, some chopped): Toasted for extra crunch and warmth, these nuts add a nutty depth and an irresistible toasty aroma.

How to Make 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad

Step 1: Make the Balsamic Glaze

Start by adding balsamic vinegar and honey (or brown sugar) to a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring it to a gentle boil while whisking, then reduce the heat and let it simmer. Keep stirring as it cooks down for about 10 minutes, until you see the glaze thickening and reducing by about half. Remove it from the heat and pour it carefully into a heat-proof bowl—watch as it transforms! Let it cool a bit; it will thicken up more as it cools, eventually reaching that ideal syrupy texture that clings perfectly to a spoon (but shouldn’t turn to jelly).

Step 2: Assemble the Salad Ingredients

While your glaze cools, grab a large mixing bowl and combine the fresh baby spinach, those gorgeous sliced strawberries, juicy blueberries, and crumbled feta. Gently toss everything together, ensuring the delicate greens and fruit stay fresh and perky. Leave the pecans aside for now—they’ll make their entrance as a crispy topping.

Step 3: Serve and Top with Pecans

Divide the salad into your favorite serving bowls. Now bring on the crunch: generously sprinkle each serving with a mix of whole and chopped toasted pecans. Those toasted pieces add not just flavor, but a nutty warmth and earthiness that really ties the salad together.

Step 4: Drizzle with Balsamic Glaze

The grand finale! Grab your cooled balsamic glaze and generously drizzle it over the salads. Watch as the dark syrup glistens atop the greens and fruit, promising a sweet-tart punch in every bite. It’s a finishing touch that feels a little fancy but is oh-so-easy. Now, dig in!

How to Serve 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad

Garnishes

For a truly show-stopping finish, try a scattering of extra feta, a few more toasted pecans, or even a handful of fresh mint or basil leaves. You can also add a twist of freshly ground black pepper or a sprinkle of lemon zest to enhance the freshness and make your 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad pop even more!

Side Dishes

This salad pairs beautifully with a variety of mains. Serve it alongside grilled chicken or fish for an effortlessly elegant meal, or with roasted veggies and grain bowls for a colorful vegetarian spread. It shines as a picnic offering or a fun addition to a brunch buffet, where the vibrant flavors can stand up to almost anything.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn your 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad into a centerpiece by arranging it on a platter in overlapping layers, or build individual jar salads for easy grab-and-go lunches. For parties, you can skewer smaller portions onto appetizer sticks or cap the salad with edible flowers for a truly festive, fresh-from-the-garden look. The possibilities are endless, so let your creativity run wild!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’ve got leftovers, store them promptly in an airtight container in the fridge. The spinach and fruit are at their best within a day, and the flavors often meld beautifully, though the pecans may soften slightly over time. Try to keep the glaze and nuts separate until just before serving for maximum crunch and freshness!

Freezing

While you can freeze the balsamic glaze for up to a month (just thaw and stir before using), the salad itself isn’t freezer-friendly due to the delicate greens and fruit. The texture breaks down after freezing and thawing, so enjoy your 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad fresh whenever possible!

Reheating

Good news: there’s no reheating needed! This salad is all about fresh, crisp, and chilled components. If your glaze was chilled, let it come to room temperature or give it a brief 10-second zap in the microwave if you want it a little runnier for drizzling.

FAQs

Can I use a store-bought balsamic glaze?

Absolutely! If you’re pressed for time, a high-quality store-bought glaze will do the trick and keep things truly five-minute easy. But making your own brings an unmistakable homemade taste and allows you to control the sweetness and thickness.

What can I substitute for pecans?

Try walnuts, sliced almonds, or even pumpkin seeds for a different kind of crunch. Just be sure to toast your nuts or seeds for that delicious, deep flavor the 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad is known for!

Is this salad gluten-free?

Great news for those who need it: yes, as long as you double-check your ingredients (especially any store-bought glaze), this 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad is naturally gluten-free!

How do I make this vegan?

Simply leave out the feta or swap it for a dairy-free alternative, and use maple syrup or another vegan sweetener instead of honey. The salad will still be colorful, vibrant, and just as delicious.

Can I prepare the salad ingredients ahead of time?

You sure can! Prep the spinach, slice the strawberries, crumble the feta, and toast the pecans in advance. Just store each component separately and assemble right before serving to keep everything at its freshest.

Final Thoughts

You truly can’t go wrong with a dish that is this quick, beautiful, and universally loved. The 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad is my go-to for busy nights, big gatherings, or any occasion that deserves a touch of freshness and cheer—give it a try and watch it become a regular star at your table!