Strawberry Spinach Pecan Salad (Printable)

A vibrant blend of spinach, strawberries, toasted pecans, and balsamic dressing perfect for light meals.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Salad Components

01 - 6 cups baby spinach, washed and thoroughly dried
02 - 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced into quarters
03 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced into half-moons
04 - 3/4 cup pecan halves, toasted
05 - 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)

→ Balsamic Vinaigrette

06 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
08 - 1 tablespoon honey or pure maple syrup
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add pecan halves and toast, stirring frequently, for 3-5 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden. Transfer to a plate to cool completely.
02 - In a small bowl or sealed jar, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey (or maple syrup), Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified and smooth.
03 - Place baby spinach in a large salad bowl. Add sliced strawberries, red onion, and cooled toasted pecans. Toss ingredients gently to distribute evenly.
04 - Drizzle vinaigrette over salad and toss gently to coat leaves lightly. Top with crumbled feta cheese if desired. Serve immediately while pecans remain crunchy.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The toasted pecans bring this incredible warmth that makes it feel like a real meal, not just rabbit food
  • That honey-balsamic dressing hits every single flavor note, and you will want to put it on everything afterward
02 -
  • Hot pecans will steam and wilt the spinach instantly, so let them cool completely on a separate plate while you prep everything else
  • The dressing can be made up to three days ahead and actually tastes better after the flavors have had time to hang out together
03 -
  • If your strawberries are not very sweet, add an extra half teaspoon of honey to the dressing to compensate
  • Massaging the spinach with a tiny bit of olive oil before dressing it makes it feel more luxurious and less tough

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