If you’re looking to brighten up your meals with a salad that bursts with flavor, texture, and color, this Strawberry Spinach Salad with Toasted Pecans, Feta, and Fresh Mint Recipe is a total game-changer. It combines juicy, ripe strawberries, tender baby spinach, crunchy toasted pecans, tangy feta cheese, and aromatic fresh mint with a luscious strawberry vinaigrette that’s simply irresistible. This salad is a beautiful balance of sweet, savory, and fresh notes that make it perfect as a light lunch, a stunning side dish, or even a charming starter for your next dinner party.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe comes together with simple and fresh ingredients that each bring their own unique charm to the final dish. The careful combination of flavors and textures ensures every bite is a delight, from the crunch of the pecans to the creamy feta and the vibrant freshness of mint and strawberries.
- Raw pecans, 1/2 cup: Toasting these brings out a deep, nutty flavor and gives the salad a satisfying crunch.
- Baby spinach, 5 ounces: Provides a fresh, tender green base packed with vitamins and a lovely mild taste.
- Strawberries, 4 cups sliced and 1/2 cup whole: The star fruit, offering natural sweetness and juiciness for both the salad and the dressing.
- Shallots, 2 thinly sliced: Add a subtle onion flavor that is milder and slightly sweet, complementing the fruit.
- Fresh mint, 1/2 cup chopped: Brings a cool brightness that lifts every other component in the salad.
- Feta cheese, 1/2 cup crumbled: Delivers a salty creaminess that balances the sweetness beautifully.
- Red wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon: Offers a tangy acidity that enhances the flavor of the strawberry dressing.
- Honey, 1 tablespoon: Adds natural sweetness to the dressing, balancing the vinegar perfectly.
- Lime juice, 1 tablespoon: Gives a zesty punch and freshness to the strawberry dressing.
- Extra virgin olive oil, 1/2 tablespoon: Smooths the dressing with a pleasant richness and silky texture.
- Sea salt, 1/2 teaspoon: Enhances all the flavors, awakening the sweetness and the savory elements of the salad.
How to Make Strawberry Spinach Salad with Toasted Pecans, Feta, and Fresh Mint Recipe
Step 1: Toast the Pecans
Start by heating a small frying pan over medium heat and carefully toast the raw pecans for about 3 to 4 minutes until they turn a beautiful golden brown. This not only intensifies their natural flavor but adds a wonderful crunch that will contrast perfectly with the soft greens and juicy strawberries.
Step 2: Combine the Salad Base
Grab a large mixing bowl and toss together the baby spinach with half of your sliced strawberries, shallots, chopped fresh mint, crumbled feta, and toasted pecans. This layering of ingredients ensures every forkful will have a bit of everything—a harmony of textures and flavors that sings with freshness.
Step 3: Blend the Strawberry Dressing
Pop the remaining strawberries into a blender or food processor along with the red wine vinegar, honey, lime juice, extra virgin olive oil, and sea salt. Blend until the dressing is smooth, creamy, and vibrant pink. This luscious strawberry dressing is the magic touch that ties the whole salad together, adding a sweet-tart finish that your taste buds will love.
Step 4: Dress and Toss the Salad
Pour the strawberry dressing evenly over your tossed spinach mixture and gently toss to coat every leaf and ingredient. This step ensures that the flavors meld beautifully and that each bite bursts with balanced sweetness, tartness, and savory goodness.
Step 5: Add the Finishing Touches
Transfer your dressed salad to a big, shallow bowl or platter. Garnish creatively with the remaining whole strawberries, pecans, crumbled feta, mint, and shallots on top. This not only adds extra flavor and texture but makes your salad look gorgeous and inviting.
Step 6: Serve Immediately
This salad is best enjoyed fresh, so serve it right away. The spinach remains crisp, and the dressing stays perfectly vibrant without wilting the greens. It’s a true celebration of fresh, seasonal ingredients that delights every guest or family member.
How to Serve Strawberry Spinach Salad with Toasted Pecans, Feta, and Fresh Mint Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a few extra whole pecans and crumbled feta on top for visual appeal and added crunch right before serving. Fresh mint leaves scattered over will enhance aroma and add a burst of color that makes this salad irresistible.
Side Dishes
This salad pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken or fish, giving a refreshing contrast to smoky or savory mains. It’s also a fantastic companion to creamy pasta dishes or placed alongside a warm quiche for a perfect balance of flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve individual portions in clear glass bowls to showcase the vibrant reds and greens, or use hollowed-out strawberries as edible “bowls” for small salad servings at a party. Layered salads in mason jars also bring a charming, portable option that keeps everything fresh until you’re ready to eat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers, store the salad and the dressing separately in airtight containers in the fridge. Mixing them just before eating preserves the crispness of the spinach and the bright flavor of the dressing perfectly.
Freezing
Because this strawberry spinach salad contains fresh greens and a delicate dressing, it is not suitable for freezing. Freezing would damage the texture of the spinach and strawberries, making the salad less enjoyable once thawed.
Reheating
This salad is meant to be enjoyed cold and fresh, so reheating is not recommended. Warm temperatures will wilt the spinach and change the fresh, vibrant flavors you worked so hard to capture.
FAQs
Can I substitute the pecans with another nut?
Absolutely! Walnuts or almonds work great as alternatives and also toast up nicely to provide that satisfying crunch. Just make sure to toast them gently to avoid burning.
Is it possible to make the dressing without a blender?
You can mash the strawberries with a fork or use a whisk to combine the dressing ingredients, but a blender will give you the smoothest, creamiest texture. If you prefer a chunkier dressing, manually mixing works fine.
How long can I keep the salad before it wilts?
For optimum freshness, enjoy the salad within 2 to 4 hours of assembling. The spinach tends to wilt quickly once dressed, so it’s best to toss just before serving.
Can I use baby kale instead of spinach?
Yes, baby kale is a sturdy green that pairs well with the sweet and tangy elements here, though it has a slightly more robust texture and flavor. Try massaging the kale with a bit of olive oil to soften it first.
What if I don’t have fresh mint on hand?
Fresh mint adds a lovely brightness, but if you don’t have any, chopped fresh basil or even a small amount of finely chopped fresh parsley can be a good substitute to keep the herbaceous freshness.
Final Thoughts
This Strawberry Spinach Salad with Toasted Pecans, Feta, and Fresh Mint Recipe is such a joyful way to celebrate fresh, wholesome ingredients with minimal effort. It’s colorful, flavorful, and irresistibly fresh—perfect for any time you want a salad that feels a little special. Trust me, once you’ve tried it, it’s going to be one you reach for again and again.
