Oh, this Strawberry Blackberry Spinach Salad with Pecans and Feta is just pure sunshine in a bowl! When those first warm days hit, and all I want is something fresh and vibrant, this is my absolute go-to. I used to think salads had to be boring, but ever since I discovered how amazing sweet berries and tangy cheese are with peppery greens, I’ve been hooked. It reminds me of those farmers’ market hauls in the summer – just bursting with flavor and goodness. Seriously, it’s a game-changer!

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Blackberry Spinach Salad with Pecans and Feta

This Strawberry Blackberry Spinach Salad with Pecans and Feta is a total winner for so many reasons:

It’s incredibly quick and easy – seriously, no cooking involved! Perfect for those nights when you just need something fast.
The flavors are just *chef’s kiss*! Sweet berries, peppery spinach, crunchy pecans, and salty feta all come together beautifully.
It’s packed with good-for-you stuff like vitamins from the spinach and berries, healthy fats from the pecans, and a little protein from the feta.

Gathering Your Ingredients for Strawberry Blackberry Spinach Salad with Pecans and Feta

Alright, to make this glorious Strawberry Blackberry Spinach Salad with Pecans and Feta, you’ll need just a few simple things. It’s all about grabbing the freshest ingredients you can find!

Fresh Produce

First up, let’s get our greens and berries ready. You’ll need about 6 cups of fresh spinach – make sure it’s nice and crisp! Then, grab 1 cup of fresh strawberries and slice them up. And don’t forget 1 cup of lovely fresh blackberries. Just give them a gentle rinse!

Nutty Crunch

For that irresistible crunch, we need 1/2 cup of chopped pecans. If pecans aren’t your jam, no worries! About the same amount of chopped walnuts or even some toasted almonds would be absolutely delicious here too.

Tangy Cheese

Now for that salty, tangy bite! We’ll use 1/4 cup of crumbled feta cheese. If feta isn’t your favorite, you could totally swap it out for some creamy goat cheese – it’s just as yummy!

Simple Vinaigrette Dressing

And to bring it all together, we’ll whip up a super easy dressing. You’ll need 2 tablespoons of good olive oil, 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar, and if you like a little sweetness, about 1 teaspoon of honey (but you can skip it if you prefer!). And of course, a pinch of salt and pepper to make everything pop.

Crafting Your Perfect Strawberry Blackberry Spinach Salad with Pecans and Feta

Making this beautiful Strawberry Blackberry Spinach Salad with Pecans and Feta is honestly one of the easiest things you’ll do all week, but it tastes like you spent hours on it! It’s all about combining these gorgeous ingredients at just the right moment.

Combining the Salad Base

First things first, grab your biggest salad bowl – you know, the one that feels like you could practically swim in it? That’s the one! Gently add your 6 cups of fresh spinach, then scatter in the sliced strawberries and the lovely blackberries. Next, sprinkle in that chopped pecan crunch and the salty crumbled feta. Now, here’s a little tip from me: try not to dump everything in at once. Layering them gently helps keep those delicate berries from getting squished too much. You want everything to look as pretty as it tastes!

Preparing the Dressing

While your salad ingredients are chilling in the bowl, let’s whip up that super simple dressing. You just need a small bowl for this. Pour in your 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar. If you’re using honey for a touch of sweetness, drizzle in that 1 teaspoon now. Give it all a good whisk until it’s nicely combined and looks like a lovely, emulsified dressing. If you taste it and think, “Hmm, needs a little more sweetness,” just add another tiny drizzle of honey. It’s your salad, after all!

Dressing and Finishing Touches

Now for the magic! Pour that vibrant dressing right over everything in the big salad bowl. The key here is to toss it *gently*. Use salad tongs or even just your clean hands (which I sometimes prefer!) to lift and fold the ingredients from the bottom up. You want to coat everything lightly without bruising those beautiful berries or wilting the spinach. Once it’s all coated, give it a little taste. Does it need a touch more salt? A grind of fresh pepper? Add it now to your liking. And there you have it – your absolutely perfect Strawberry Blackberry Spinach Salad with Pecans and Feta, ready to be devoured!

Tips for an Unforgettable Strawberry Blackberry Spinach Salad with Pecans and Feta

You know, even with a simple recipe like this Strawberry Blackberry Spinach Salad with Pecans and Feta, a few little tricks can make it truly spectacular. It’s all about those small details!

Ingredient Quality Matters

Seriously, the fresher your ingredients, the brighter your salad will taste. Make sure your spinach is crisp and green, not sad and wilted. And for the cheese, a good quality feta will make such a difference – you want that nice salty tang, not something bland. It’s worth grabbing the best you can find for this one!

The Art of Tossing

When you’re tossing this salad, think gentle, gentle, gentle! You’re not trying to mash potatoes here. Use a big spoon and fork, or even your hands, to lift the ingredients from the bottom and fold them over the top. This way, you coat everything in that delicious dressing without turning your beautiful berries into mush or bruising that delicate spinach. A light hand makes all the difference!

Customizing Your Salad

This salad is so forgiving, which is why I love it! Remember those substitutions we talked about? Go ahead and use walnuts or goat cheese if that’s what you have. And if you want to make it a full-on meal, just toss in some grilled chicken or salmon. It’s amazing how a little bit of protein can turn this lovely salad into a hearty dinner!

Serving and Storing Your Strawberry Blackberry Spinach Salad with Pecans and Feta

This gorgeous Strawberry Blackberry Spinach Salad with Pecans and Feta is so versatile! It’s absolutely perfect on its own for a light and healthy lunch, especially when you just want something bright and refreshing. Or, serve it up as a fantastic side dish next to some grilled chicken or fish for a lovely summer dinner. It also makes a really elegant starter if you’re having guests over!

Serving Suggestions

Honestly, this salad shines on its own. But if you want to make it a main event, I love pairing it with some simple grilled chicken breasts or even some pan-seared salmon. It’s also a wonderful accompaniment to barbecue or any grilled meats. For a starter, just a smaller portion is perfect!

Storage Instructions

Now, if you happen to have any leftovers (which is rare in my house!), the best way to store them is to keep the salad itself separate from the dressing. Put the undressed salad mixture – the spinach, berries, nuts, and cheese – into an airtight container in the fridge. Keep the dressing in a separate small container or jar. This way, when you’re ready to eat it again, you can just give the salad a gentle toss with a little bit of the dressing, and it’ll still be wonderfully fresh!

Frequently Asked Questions about Strawberry Blackberry Spinach Salad with Pecans and Feta

Got questions about this delicious Strawberry Blackberry Spinach Salad with Pecans and Feta? I’ve got answers!

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

You totally can! The trick is to keep everything separate until you’re ready to serve. Store the spinach, berries, pecans, and feta in one airtight container in the fridge, and keep the dressing in a separate little jar or container. When you’re ready to eat, just combine them and give it a gentle toss. It’s the best way to keep everything fresh and crisp!

What other berries can I use?

Oh, this salad is so flexible! If you don’t have strawberries or blackberries, or just want to switch things up, go for it! Fresh blueberries are fantastic, and raspberries add a lovely tartness. Even some chopped cherries would be a fun addition. Just aim for about 1 cup total of your favorite fresh berries!

Is this salad suitable for a vegan diet?

This Strawberry Blackberry Spinach Salad with Pecans and Feta can easily be made vegan! Just skip the feta cheese altogether, or better yet, find a good quality vegan feta alternative. Most of the other ingredients are naturally vegan, so it’s a super simple swap to make it work for a vegan lifestyle.

Estimated Nutritional Information

Just a friendly heads-up, these numbers are estimates! They can change a bit depending on the brands you use and exactly how much of everything you toss in. But for a general idea, here’s what you’re looking at per serving of this yummy Strawberry Blackberry Spinach Salad with Pecans and Feta:

Serving Size: 1/4 of salad
Calories: 250
Sugar: 15g
Sodium: 150mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 5g
Protein: 8g
Cholesterol: 15mg

Tempting Strawberry Blackberry Spinach Salad with 6 Servings

Author: ferecipe.com
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A refreshing and healthy salad featuring strawberries, blackberries, spinach, crunchy pecans, and tangy feta cheese.

Ingredients

Scale

6 cups fresh spinach
1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
1 cup fresh blackberries
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon honey (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine the spinach, strawberries, blackberries, pecans, and feta cheese.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and honey (if using).
Pour the dressing over the salad.
Toss gently to coat all ingredients.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve immediately.

Notes

For a sweeter dressing, add a little more honey.
You can substitute walnuts or almonds for pecans.
Goat cheese can be used instead of feta.
Add grilled chicken or salmon for a more substantial meal.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: No-cook
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 of salad
Calories: 250
Sugar: 15g
Sodium: 150mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 5g
Protein: 8g
Cholesterol: 15mg

Keywords: strawberry, blackberry, spinach, pecan, feta, salad, healthy, fresh, fruit, nuts, cheese