If you’re looking for a dish that bursts with freshness, color, and pure joy, then this 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad is the answer to your cravings. Sweet strawberries and blueberries, crisp spinach, tangy feta, and the irresistible crunch of toasted pecans all get a glossy coat of homemade balsamic glaze, making every forkful a celebration of flavor and texture. Whether you’re prepping lunch in a hurry or hoping to impress at a dinner party, this salad will quickly claim regular rotation status in your kitchen.

Ingredients You’ll Need

15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad comes from how each ingredient shines while also playing beautifully together in harmony. You only need a few pantry and fresh staples, but each has a purpose—bringing color, flavor, and irresistible crunch!

Balsamic vinegar: This forms the rich, tangy base for the luscious homemade glaze and adds wonderful depth to the salad.
Honey (or brown sugar): Just a touch balances out the acidity of the balsamic, giving the glaze irresistible sweetness and shine.
Baby spinach (fresh): Tender, mild leaves form the perfect canvas for fruity flavors and silky glaze.
Strawberries (cleaned and hulled, sliced): Juicy berries add a burst of natural sweetness and a pop of cheery red color.
Blueberries: Little bursts of tart flavor and deep blue hue that complement the strawberries beautifully.
Feta cheese (crumbled): Creamy, slightly salty, and tangy, it brings contrast and richness to each bite.
Pecans (toasted, some chopped): Warm and toasty flavors with satisfying crunch—the finishing touch your salad needs!

How to Make 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad

Step 1: Cook the Balsamic Glaze

Start by adding the balsamic vinegar and honey (or brown sugar) to a small saucepan on medium heat. Give it a good stir to combine. The aroma as it heats will have you drooling already!

Step 2: Simmer to Perfection

Once your mixture comes to a gentle boil, reduce the heat and simmer. Continue to stir occasionally for about ten minutes, letting it reduce to around half the original volume. You’re looking for a glossy, syrupy consistency that’s thick enough to coat the back of your spoon—think delicious drizzly glaze, not sticky tar. Remove it from the heat, pour into a heat-proof bowl, and let it cool. As it sits, it’ll thicken even more.

Step 3: Prepare the Salad Base

While your glaze is cooling, grab a big salad bowl and combine the spinach, freshly sliced strawberries, juicy blueberries, and crumbled feta. Give everything a gentle toss so the fruit and cheese mingle with the greens, and admire those colors while you’re at it!

Step 4: Toast and Add the Pecans

Give your pecans a quick toast in a dry pan if they aren’t already toasted—they should smell nutty and develop a little golden color. Chop half and leave the rest whole. Then, top each salad bowl with a generous sprinkle of pecans for that perfect nutty crunch.

Step 5: Finish with Balsamic Glaze

Once the balsamic glaze is cool and pourable, drizzle it generously over every serving. Watch the glossy ribbons cover those berries and greens—it’s seriously irresistible. Serve immediately while everything is ultra-fresh!

How to Serve 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad

Garnishes

One of the best parts about the 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad is how easily you can dress it up! A few extra crumbles of feta, a sprig of mint, or even a sprinkle of microgreens make for a gorgeous finishing touch. Lightly cracked black pepper or an extra scatter of berries will also help your salad look as spectacular as it tastes.

Side Dishes

This salad loves companions! Serve it beside grilled chicken, seared salmon, or lemony shrimp for something heartier, or keep it light with rustic bread. The zippy sweet-and-savory flavors pair incredibly well with creamy soups or grain bowls, making it the ultimate side for a vibrant spring meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For something extra fun, try layering the salad ingredients in clear mason jars for a picnic or meal prep. You can also serve this 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad on a big platter family-style, or arrange it in little lettuce cups for a festive party bite. Let your creativity run wild—the colors alone make an amazing impression!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with leftover 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad (lucky you!), transfer it into an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. The greens may wilt a bit, but the flavors remain fantastic for up to a day. To keep the salad crispier, store the pecans and glaze separately, adding them just before eating.

Freezing

Because this salad is chock-full of fresh fruit and spinach, freezing isn’t the best option—the textures will change and become soggy once thawed. The balsamic glaze, however, does freeze beautifully for future salads—just thaw it at room temperature before using.

Reheating

Salad is best enjoyed cold or at room temperature, so no reheating is required. If your glaze thickens in the fridge, a few seconds in the microwave will loosen it up to drizzle consistency again.

FAQs

Can I make the balsamic glaze in advance?

Absolutely! The glaze is actually even more flavorful after sitting for a day. Simply store it in the fridge in a sealed jar and let it come to room temperature (or microwave briefly) before drizzling it over your salad.

What other nuts can I use instead of pecans?

You can swap the pecans for walnuts, almonds, or even pistachios if you prefer. Toasting them helps bring out the best flavor, so don’t skip that step!

Is this 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad gluten-free?

Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free, as long as you check the labels on your balsamic vinegar and feta to be sure. It’s both allergy-friendly and crowd-pleasing.

How can I make this salad vegan?

Switch out the honey for maple syrup or brown sugar in the glaze, and use a vegan feta or omit the cheese entirely. The salad will still be bright, fresh, and totally delicious!

Can I use frozen berries in this salad?

Fresh berries are best for texture and color in this salad, but in a pinch, you can use thawed, well-drained frozen strawberries or blueberries—just note they’ll be a bit softer and juicier.

Final Thoughts

This 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad is a true celebration of spring and summer on your plate. Once you taste the bright berries, savory feta, and stunning homemade glaze, you’ll want to make it for every occasion—trust me! Don’t wait to give it a try and let it become a new favorite at your table.

15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe

★★★★★

5.3 from 10 reviews

Author: Mariam
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This refreshing 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad is a delightful mix of fresh baby spinach, sweet strawberries, juicy blueberries, tangy feta cheese, and crunchy toasted pecans, all drizzled with a luscious balsamic glaze. Perfect for a quick and healthy meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Dressing – Balsamic Glaze

1 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup honey (or brown sugar)

Salad

10 oz baby spinach (fresh)
3 cups strawberries (cleaned and hulled, sliced)
1 cup blueberries
1/3 cup feta cheese (crumbled)
1 cup pecans (toasted, some of them chopped)

Instructions

Salad Dressing – Balsamic Glaze – In a small saucepan, heat balsamic vinegar and honey over medium heat. Bring to a gentle boil, reduce heat to simmer and cook, stirring, until the mixture thickens and reduces by about half (about 10 or so minutes). Remove from heat and pour the balsamic glaze into a heat-proof bowl to cool off. The glaze will get thicker as it cools off. Consistency should be thick enough to coat the back of the spoon but should not be overly thick.
Salad – In a large bowl, combine all of the salad ingredients, except the pecans. Toss to combine. Divide the salad into individual serving bowls. Top each serving bowl with whole and chopped toasted pecans. Drizzle the top of the salad in each bowl with balsamic glaze.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Mixing, Tossing
Cuisine: American