Pioneer Woman Spinach Strawberry Salad

Pioneer Woman Spinach Strawberry Salad is one of the best and easiest-to-make summer salad recipes with strawberries ever. This simple Spinach Strawberry Salad is made with spinach, strawberries, pecans, onion, feta, and poppy seed dressing. Serve this Spinach Strawberry Salad with grilled chicken or roasted vegetables for a healthy and tasty dinner. Make sure to leave a comment about this tasty Pioneer Woman recipe.

Spinach Strawberry Salad Ingredients

For the Strawberry Spinach Salad:

• 10 ounces fresh baby spinach
• 1-quart strawberries, hulled and quartered (about 1 lb)
• 3/4 cup raw pecans
• 1/2 small red onion, very thinly sliced
• 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

For the Poppy Seed Dressing:

• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 1/2 tablespoons poppy seeds
• 1 1/2 tablespoons honey
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

How To Make A Strawberry Spinach Salad 

1. Toast the Pecan: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Put the pecans on a baking sheet without greasing it. Bake them for 8 to 10 minutes until they smell nice and look tan inside. Be careful not to burn them. Take them out and chop them up roughly.
2. Soak the Onions: Cut the onions into thin slices and put them in a bowl with cold water. Let them sit while you get everything else ready. This makes them taste better.
3. Make The Poppy Seed Dressing: In a small bowl or big cup, mix together all the dressing ingredients such as vinegar, oil, poppy seeds, honey, mustard, salt, and pepper. You can also shake them in a jar with a tight lid.
4. Mix The Salad: Put the spinach in a big bowl. Add the strawberries. Take the onions out of the water and add them too. Pour about half of the dressing on the salad and mix it up. Make sure the leaves are wet but not too wet. Add more dressing if you want. Put in the cheese and pecans. Mix it a little. 
5. Serve The Salad: Serve it right away, and you can have an extra dressing on the side if you like.

How To Slice Strawberries For Spinach Salad 

You should slice strawberries for the salad into two pieces, but if you want the salad to look full of strawberries and showcase their beautiful red color, then slice the strawberries into quarters.

What Dressing Goes On Strawberry Spinach Salad 

Poppy seed dressing is the best dressing for strawberry and spinach salad, the taste of poppy seed dressing goes with the taste of sweet strawberries and fresh spinach.

But you can still use other dressings such as balsamic vinaigrette, honey mustard, raspberry vinaigrette, or a simple lemon and olive oil dressing.

Can You Put Chicken In A Spinach Strawberry Salad 

Yes, sure! If you have leftover rotisserie chicken, you can use it. Simply dice the chicken into small, bite-sized pieces, then add and mix with the spinach, strawberries, pecans, and feta cheese. Then mix the dressing and serve. It adds protein and makes the salad more filling, perfect for a main course.

What To Serve With Strawberry Spinach Salad 

This Spinach Strawberry Salad goes well with grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, fresh bread, and quinoa. You can also serve it as a main with grilled shrimp or steak, or as a side with pasta, sandwiches, or baked Salmon.

Salad Variations and Substitutions

• Use Walnut: You can use about a 3/4 cup of walnuts instead of pecans; just chop them up.
• Add Almond: Add about a 3/4 cup of almonds; just make sure to chop them before adding in.
• Use Balsamic Dressing: Just mix balsamic vinegar with olive oil, then add it to the salad as desired.
• Use Goat Cheese: Use about 3/4 cup of goat cheese instead of feta.
• Add Lettuce: You can add about 1 cup of lettuce to the salad; this will make it crunchy.
• Add Bacon: Add about 4 strips of cooked, crumbled bacon for a smoky flavor.

Make Ahead and Storage Tips

• Make Ahead: You can prepare the salad ingredients ahead of time, such as toasting the pecans, slicing the strawberries, and making the dressing. Keep them separate and assemble them just before serving to keep everything fresh.
• Storage: Keep leftover salad without dressing in the fridge for up to 4 days. Put any extra dressing in a tight jar in the fridge for up to 5 days, then shake it before using. You can have the salad again without it losing its fresh taste.

Spinach Strawberry Salad Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 249kcal
• Carbohydrates: 16g
• Protein: 6g
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Cholesterol: 17mg
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 10g

Try More Salad Recipes:

• Ramen Noodle Salad
• Cornbread Salad
• Broccoli Salad
• Frog Eye Salad
• Pea Salad
• Chicken Salad With Grapes