Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad: Sometimes you’re just craving a healthy, light, and easy salad for lunch or dinner. If that sounds like you every now and then, you don’t need to suffer a boring plain old bowl of greens. Instead, add a splash of color, freshness, and nutrients with fresh fruit like strawberries. This time of year, I’m always trying to eat more strawberries because it’s one of my favorite fruits. It’s full of vitamin C, antioxidants, and fiber. Plus, it adds a bit of sweetness and tart flavor to this salad for a unique flavor that the entire family will enjoy.
Why You’ll Love this Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad
There’s something seriously amazing about mixing simple salads with fruit, especially when it comes together in just under 15 minutes. Inspired by my absolute love for strawberries, this Strawberry Spinach Salad version is packed with super fresh flavors, cheesy goodness from mozzarella, and crunchy croutons that take it to the next level! Of course, you can mix and match when it comes to the greens, cheese, and garnish like seeds or nuts. The golden rule: make this salad perfect for your tastebuds!
Lately, I’ve been learning a lot about putting my faith into action, especially as it relates to what God has commanded of me personally. I wish that I could say that it gets easier the more and more you become obedient—-but it doesn’t. There will be times where it feels extremely hard or scary, but knowing that the holy Spirit is there to guide us, teach us, and strengthen us is the best thing to lean on. If you haven’t, I recommend reading my post on Faith Without Works Is Dead: Are You Just Believing or Actually Becoming? I dig into the reality of being obedient even when things aren’t aligned or we feel that we can’t hear God every step of the way.
Back to this salad: overall, this strawberry spinach salad is just the right amount of sweetness, freshness, and includes an array of options to make it perfect just for what you’re craving. It’s altogether easy to make—using simple ingredients. It’s a win, win situation—believe me! And It’s not just delicious but also completely packable! So, if you’re on the hunt for a delicious simple lunch or meal prep situation that can keep up with your on-the-go lifestyle or busy moments, look no further!
How To Make Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad
First step? Making the croutons if you’re choosing to make them on your own in stead of store-bought, of course! Then, you whip together the salad in a few quick steps, toss in dressing, add the croutons, and wallah! Here’s what you need:
Ingredients for the Salad
- Spinach. You can purchase baby spinach or other types like savoy (which are more crinkled and curvy). You can also mix in other greens like arugula, romaine, kale, etc.
- Strawberries. Use dark red, organic berries for the most flavor. If strawberries aren’t in season, you can also use dried fruit, such as cranberries or apricots. Other berries are also delicious in this salad, including raspberries and blackberries.
- Croutons. Feel free to use your favorite gluten-free croutons if necessary! You can use store-bought or make your own croutons with a loaf of stale bread.
- Seeds. I used pumpkin seeds in this recipe, however, you can feel free to use other seeds like sunflower seeds or nut like almonds, pecans, walnuts, etc.
- Salad dressing. Use your favorite homemade or store-bought dressing to bring this salad to life! I made my favorite homemade dressing which adds a great bold flavor. See recipe notes for homemade options!
What Makes this Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad The Best
- It’s super easy, fresh, and flavorful.
- Delicious and satisfying in every bite.
- Makes for a great on-the-go lunch or meal prep situation.
- Can be made with a variety of substitutes for the best taste. Your choice!
- Not too simple, but perfectly simple at the same time.
- The classic ingredient combo is EVERYTHING.
Can I Make This Spinach Salad for Meal Prep?
You can prep this hearty spinach salad up to two days ahead of time. The homemade croutons (if making) can be made up to 2 days beforehand and stored in an airtight container and refrigerated. The dressing can be made and refrigerated in a separate airtight container. The salad can be tossed up to 30 minutes before serving.
You may also want to slice the strawberries just before you dig in, as if they’re left to sit too long, they may soften up and release lot of their sweet juice.
Add In Options for Strawberry Spinach Salad
While this Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad is perfect as is—I definitely wanted to give options if you make this more than once and want to switch things up from time to time!
OTHER INGREDIENT IDEAS INCLUDE:
- Roasted chickpeas
- Grilled or shredded chicken for extra protein
- Avocado slices for creaminess
- Candied nuts like pecans
- Chopped red onions
- Olives for a briny bite
- Candied bacon for a little sweetness!
- Prosciutto for a salty, savory touch.
- Sliced apples
- Beans (like White beans, black beans, etc.)
What to Serve with Strawberry Spinach Salad
This Strawberry Spinach Salad not only makes a delightful spring and summer dinner option with its fresh flavors, but it also shines as a beautiful side dish at potlucks and BBQs. Here are some of my favorite accompaniments to serve alongside it:
- Serve warm slices of garlic bread
- Other refreshing salads like quinoa salad, cobb salad or corn salad
- Parmesan Herb Crusted Roasted Potatoes —- Trust me they go with EVERYTHING. Haha.
- Chicken — Whether it be Crispy baked chicken tenders or jamaican jerk chicken!
- With a side of creamy soup like Roasted Carrot Soup or Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Soup or Hearty Cheddar Garlic Herb Potato Soup.
- For a complete feast, serve it with a meat main like steak or lamb or a sandwich/burger.
- And definitely have some Southern Peach Iced Tea or Lemonade on hand to wash it all down!
- Lastly, don’t forget something sweet to end things! This Jamaican Honey Banana Bundt Cake is perfect!
Can I Make This Strawberry Spinach Salad Vegan?
Absolutely! To make this simple salad entirely dairy-free or vegan, simply substitute the fresh mozzarella with dairy-free/vegan parmesan or vegan feta cheese. Lastly, see this Caesar Salad for Vegan Caesar Dressing option or Vegan Ranch Dressing.
Can I Add Other Greens?
If you want to mix things up, feel free to add some greens like Romaine lettuce, Arugula, Mustard Greens, Microgreens, Spinach or Collard Greens to this salad for added flavor + texture.
Great Reads to Enjoy with this Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad!
Everything Up, Starts Down: Book of Ecclesiastes
Going No Contact with Family: What the Bible Really Says
Building With God: How to Work Diligently for the Kingdom of God
Learning to Wait Well: How to Handle the In-Between Seasons with Faith
Daily Devotional: Psalm 27: 13-14
What the Bible Says About Fasting: Spiritual Discipline or Diet Trend?
Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad
Ingredients
SALAD:
- 1 (5 oz.) package baby spinach, organic
- 2 cups organic arugula, optional (You can substitute this with all spinach, if desired)
- 1 ½ cups thinly sliced fresh strawberries
- 4 ounces fresh mozzarella, cubed into medium-chunks (You can also slice it if preferred)
- ½ cup pumpkin seeds (You can substitute with your favorite nuts)
- 1 cup croutons, optional (For homemade croutons, See Notes!)
- 1-2 cups Your favorite dressing (See Recipe Notes for homemade options)
Instructions
TO MAKE THE HOMEMADE CROUTONS:
- If you desire to make your own croutons, see the recipe these Homemade Croutons!
TO MAKE THE SALAD:
- Start by prepping your ingredients: thinly slice strawberries and cube (or slice) fresh mozzarella.
- In a bowl, add the spinach, arugula, strawberries, cubed mozzarella, croutons, and pumpkin seeds, tossing everything together. NOTE: You can add the dressing to the salad when tossing OR set aside until serving, if desired.
- Drizzle with the dressing when ready to serve and toss to combine.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- STORAGE: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- GREENS: If preferred, you can always add greens like Romaine lettuce, Arugula, Mustard Greens, Microgreens, Spinach or Collard Greens to this salad for added flavor + texture.
- VEGAN OPTION: To make this simple salad entirely dairy-free or vegan, simply substitute the fresh mozzarella with dairy-free/vegan parmesan or vegan feta cheese. Lastly, see this Caesar Salad for Vegan Caesar Dressing option or Vegan Ranch Dressing.
- DRESSING OPTIONS: If you like to make your own salad dressings, I recommend trying these for this simple salad: Easy Homemade Italian Dressing, Dairy-free Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing, or Homemade Green Goddess Dressing.
This looks so refreshing!! Memorial Day is coming up and I think I’m going to pair this with some garlic herb croutons. Thank you for the recipe.