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Strawberry Spinach Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette and Goat Cheese Recipe

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4.1 from 8 reviews

A vibrant and refreshing spinach salad featuring a homemade balsamic vinaigrette dressing, fresh strawberries, crunchy pecans, and creamy goat cheese. This quick and easy recipe is perfect for a light lunch or a healthy side dish, ready in just 15 minutes.

  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Dressing

  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 small shallot (coarsely chopped)
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

Salad

  • 5 ounces baby spinach
  • 8 ounces strawberries (quartered)
  • 2 ounces pecans (coarsely chopped)
  • 3 ounces crumbled goat cheese (or feta)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dressing: Combine balsamic vinegar, chopped shallot, and honey in a blender pitcher. Blend until smooth, then with the blender running, slowly add the olive oil in a steady stream until the mixture is emulsified. Season the dressing with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  2. Assemble the Salad: Place the baby spinach, quartered strawberries, coarsely chopped pecans, and crumbled goat cheese into a large salad bowl. Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad and gently toss everything together to coat evenly. Serve immediately for best freshness and flavor.

Notes

  • For a nut-free version, omit pecans or substitute with seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
  • Goat cheese can be substituted with feta cheese for a similar tangy flavor.
  • Adjust honey quantity to your preferred sweetness level in the dressing.
  • Use fresh, ripe strawberries for optimum flavor and sweetness.
  • This salad is best served fresh but dressing can be prepared in advance and refrigerated for up to 2 days.
  • Author: Olivia
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian