Strawberry Spinach Salad

Colorful and refreshing Strawberry Spinach Salad is an easy meal for a hot summer day. Bursting with nutrition from spinach, fresh berries, avocado, nuts, and seeds, it will fill you up without weighing you down. Enjoy it solo or topped with your favorite proteins.

Do you ever struggle with cooking during the hottest part of summer? Turning on the oven isn’t exactly appealing, and equally important, we want our hot-weather meals to taste light and fresh. This Berry-Spinach Salad fits the bill, and it’s become a go-to staple for me.

Instead of the traditional poppy seed vinaigrette, I threw in some extra omega-3s by using chia seeds. This tangy and crunchy salad is satisfying enough to enjoy on its own, but it’s also scrumptious with my Grilled Chicken with Peach BBQ Sauce. Or if you’re wild about avocados, try it with rich and nutritious Avocado Grilled Chicken.

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Spinach Salad

• Savor a flavor explosion in every bite from fresh strawberries and blueberries, creamy avocado, crunchy almonds, and the tangy dressing. 
• With only 10 minutes of prep time, this quick recipe makes it easy to whip up a nutritious and satisfying salad in no time.
• The homemade dressing lasts for a few days in the fridge, so it’s great for meal prep. Double or triple the recipe and have it on hand all week for quick salads.
• This salad will fill you up, thanks to a combination of healthy fats from olive oil and avocado. In addition, the fiber-rich spinach and chia seeds will keep you feeling satisfied and full longer.
• This recipe is naturally gluten-free and vegan, making it a great option for a variety of dietary needs.

What You’ll Need

For Chia Seed Vinaigrette

• Olive Oil – Forms the base for the dressing and adds richness. Choose a high-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor
• Cider Vinegar – This zingy, slightly sweet vinegar adds bright flavor to the vinaigrette.
• Dijon Mustard – Adds tanginess and a hint of spice to the dressing.
• Dried Thyme – Adds a bit of savory, herbaceous flavor.
• Chia Seeds – Adds visual appeal and extra nutrition. You can definitely use poppy seeds if you prefer.
• Salt and Pepper

For The Salad

• Spinach – Fresh spinach makes an easy and nutritious base for this salad.
• Strawberries – Pick the ripest, reddest, and juiciest strawberries you can find to make this salad shine.
• Blueberries – Add sweetness, flavor, and a pleasing pop of juicy texture to this salad.
• Sliced Almonds – Adds nutrition and a nice dose of crunchiness.
• Avocado – Adds a creamy and rich texture and flavor.

How To Make Strawberry Spinach Salad

• Make the chia seed vinaigrette. In a small bowl, whisk together all the vinaigrette ingredients until fully combined. Or combine everything in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake well.
• Build the salad base. Lay out a bed of spinach on a plate and top it with the berries and avocado, then sprinkle it with almonds. 
• Add the dressing. Drizzle the dressing over the top. For each salad, use roughly 2 tablespoons of vinaigrette.

Recipe Tips & Variations

• Use your favorite combination of fresh berries. Feel free to experiment with flavors by adding different types of berries such as raspberries, blackberries, or a combination of your choosing. 
• Toast the almonds for extra flavor. Toasting the sliced almonds in a dry skillet for a few minutes will bring out their natural nutty flavor and add a touch more crunch. 
• Keep the avocado looking its best. To prevent the avocado from browning, toss it in a little lemon or lime juice before adding it to the salad. 
• Experiment with savory toppings. If you want to add some savory flavor accents to this salad, try adding toppings like crumbled feta, diced red onion, or cooked quinoa for extra protein and texture.
• Change up the dressing. You can top this with whatever your favorite dressing. Store bought poppy seed dressing is more of the traditional route. I like this homemade version because it is less sweet. You can also use poppy seeds instead of chia seeds in the dressing.

More Tasty And Filling Salad Recipes

• Big Mac Salad
• Chicken Caesar Salad
• Buffalo Chicken Salad
• Chicken Fajita Salad
• BLT Salad
• Dorito Taco Salad

Continue to Content

Yield: 4

Strawberry Spinach Salad

Print

Strawberry Spinach Salad is an easy meal for a hot summer day. Bursting with nutrition from spinach, fresh berries, avocado, nuts, and seeds, it will fill you up without weighing you down.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

Chia Seed Vinaigrette

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 Tablespoon chia seeds
• salt and pepper to taste

Salad

• 8 cups Baby Spinach
• 1 cup sliced strawberries
• 1/2 cup blueberries
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• 1 avocado, diced

Instructions

1. In a small bowl combine the ingredients for the vinaigrette. Whisk until thoroughly combined. Or place all ingredients in a jar with a tight fitting lid, and shake well.
2. Top a bed of spinach with avocado, strawberries and blueberries. Sprinkle with almonds.
3. Top with dressing to serve.

Notes

Store extra vinaigrette in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Nutrition Information

Yield

4

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 416Total Fat 39gSaturated Fat 5gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 32gCholesterol 0mgSodium 161mgCarbohydrates 16gFiber 8gSugar 5gProtein 5g

Nutrition Disclaimer: All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on dinnersdishesanddesserts.com should only be used as a general guideline.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a picture on social media!

I created a fun group on Facebook, and I would love for you to join us! It’s a place where you can share YOUR favorite recipes, ask questions, and see what’s new at Dinners, Dishes and Desserts (so that you never miss a new recipe)!

Be sure to follow me on Instagram and tag #dinnersdishes so I can see all the wonderful DINNERS, DISHES, AND DESSERTS recipes YOU make!

Be sure to follow me on my social media, so you never miss a post!

Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram 

Did you know there is a Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts SHOP? Lots of different E-Books for sale. Or you can buy me a coffee to say thanks!

• Author
• Recent Posts

Follow me

Erin S

Welcome to Dinners, Dishes, & Desserts where my love of food meets my busy life. My name is Erin and I’m a casual home cook who loves to feed people. On this blog, you’ll find hundreds of quick and easy recipes made mostly from scratch. My days are spent in the kitchen, creating new recipes to share with family and friends.

Follow me

Latest posts by Erin S (see all)

• Sloppy Joes - September 29, 2023
• Rice Krispie Treats - September 27, 2023
• Graveyard Halloween Pudding Cups - September 26, 2023