Spinach Salad With Strawberries and Pecans

Spinach Salad With Strawberries

Diana Rattray. The Spruce Eats, 2006.

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 10 mins
Servings: 4 to 6 servings

This spinach and strawberry salad is a fresh and delicious salad. Fresh baby spinach, pecans, and strawberries make a surprisingly complementary and delightful combination. The pecans give the salad some crunch while the strawberries give it a burst of fresh flavor. For a more substantial salad, add some crumbled blue cheese or goat cheese. Bits of crumbled bacon would be wonderful as well.

For a little extra flavor, toast the pecans. Or, prepare sugared pecans for the salad. You'll find instructions for both along with an alternative Dijon mustard dressing in the tips and variations below the recipe. 

Ingredients

  • For the Salad:
  • 8 ounces fresh torn spinach (or baby spinach)
  • 1 1/2 to 2 cups strawberries (cleaned and sliced)
  • 1/2 cup pecan halves or pieces (lightly toasted)
  • Optional: 2 to 3 ounces crumbled goat cheese (or blue cheese)
  • For the Balsamic Dressing:
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried tarragon
  • 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Dash of dry mustard
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (or walnut oil or another vegetable oil)

Steps to Make It

  1. Toss the spinach with the sliced strawberries, pecans, and cheese, if using. Cover and refrigerate until serving time.

  2. Put the balsamic vinegar, sugar, tarragon, onion and garlic powder, and mustard in a blender. With the blender running, add the vegetable oil in a slow, steady stream. Alternatively, put the dressing ingredients in a jar, cover with a lid, and shake to blend. Taste and adjust seasonings.

  3. When ready to serve, drizzle dressing over the salad and toss lightly.

Tips and Variations

  • Toasted Pecans: Put the pecan halves in a dry skillet over medium heat. Cook, shaking the skillet and turning the pecans until the nuts are lightly browned and aromatic. Remove them to a plate to cool completely before you add them to the salad.
  • Sugared Pecans: Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a small skillet over medium-low heat. Add the pecans and stir to coat them thoroughly. Add 1 tablespoon of sugar and cook, continually stirring, until golden brown and the sugar has dissolved. Remove them to a wax paper or parchment paper-lined plate.
  • Dijon Mustard Vinaigrette: In a jar with a lid, combine 1 heaping tablespoon of Dijon mustard, 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 1/2 tablespoons of white wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, and 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil. Shake vigorously; taste and add salt and freshly ground black pepper, as needed.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
234 Calories
20g Fat
10g Carbs
5g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories 234
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 20g 26%
Saturated Fat 4g 19%
Cholesterol 11mg 4%
Sodium 193mg 8%
Total Carbohydrate 10g 4%
Dietary Fiber 3g 11%
Protein 5g
Calcium 138mg 11%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)