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This Strawberry Spinach Salad is fresh, colorful and a little sweet. Baby spinach, sliced strawberries, feta and toasted almonds are tossed in a quick honey balsamic dressing you can shake up in a jar.
Fresh produce is one of the places grocery prices sting the most right now, so this salad keeps the list short and uses everything you buy. One container of spinach and one of strawberries make a big bowl for eight.
Give the spinach a rinse and a spin in a salad spinner even if the package says it’s pre-washed, and dry it well so the dressing clings to the leaves.
Dress it right before serving. It’s a bright side for Easter ham, grilled chicken or a simple pasta night.
Ingredients and Swaps
- Spinach: Baby spinach, washed and dried well. Spring mix or arugula also work.
- Strawberries: Ripe and fragrant. Out of season, use sliced apples or pears, or dried cranberries.
- Feta: Goat cheese is a creamy alternative.
- Almonds: Toasted sliced almonds. Pecans or walnuts work, and sunflower seeds keep it nut-free.
- Dressing: Olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey and Dijon, shaken in a jar.
Tips for a Fresh, Crisp Salad
- Dry the spinach completely. Dressing slides off wet leaves. A salad spinner is the quickest way.
- Soak the red onion. Ten minutes in cold water takes the bite out.
- Toast the nuts. A few minutes in a dry skillet makes them crunchier and more flavorful.
- Dress at the last minute. Spinach wilts quickly once the dressing goes on.
Prices are from Walmart’s and ALDI’s websites for stores in Columbus, Ohio, checked in October 2026. Ohio’s grocery prices are within about 1% of the national average, so you may pay more or less depending on where you live, and prices change often. Here’s how we price our recipes.
Cost: Ingredients – $10.65 from Walmart, $8.04 from ALDI · Per Serving – $1.01 to $1.33
Strawberry Spinach Salad
Ingredients
Method
- In a small jar or bowl, shake or whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, mustard, salt and pepper.
- Toast the almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3–4 minutes, stirring often, until lightly golden. Let them cool.
- Add the spinach, strawberries and red onion to a large bowl.
- Pour the dressing over the salad just before serving and toss gently.
- Top with the feta and toasted almonds.
Notes
- Chopped pecans or walnuts can replace the almonds. For a nut-free salad, use sunflower seeds.
- Soak the sliced red onion in cold water for 10 minutes to soften its bite.
- Goat cheese works in place of the feta.
- Out of season, swap the strawberries for sliced apples or pears.
How to Make It a Meal
Top with sliced Juicy Baked Chicken Breasts, grilled shrimp or chickpeas. For more salads that hold up as dinner, see 12 Cheap Salad Recipes That Actually Fill You Up.
Make-Ahead and Storage
- Make the dressing up to 5 days ahead and keep it in the fridge. Shake before using.
- Wash and dry the spinach and slice the strawberries a few hours ahead. Keep them separate until serving.
- Dressed salad doesn’t keep. Store leftovers undressed for up to a day.
Strawberry Spinach Salad Questions
Can I use bottled dressing?
Yes. A balsamic vinaigrette or poppy seed dressing both suit this salad.
How far ahead can I slice strawberries?
Up to a day, stored in a covered container in the fridge. They soften the longer they sit.
