There’s something about the bright sweetness of fresh strawberries paired with crisp spinach that just sings in every bite. The crunchy candied nuts add that irresistible, buttery crunch, making this Strawberry Spinach Salad with Candied Nuts Recipe a standout for any meal or gathering.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Strawberry Spinach Salad with Candied Nuts Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Strawberry Spinach Salad with Candied Nuts Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Strawberry Spinach Salad with Candied Nuts Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
From the first time I tossed together this strawberry spinach salad with candied nuts, I knew it was a keeper. It hits all the right notes—sweet, tangy, crunchy, and creamy—and feels fancy while being incredibly simple to throw together.
- Fresh & Vibrant Flavors: The combination of juicy strawberries and crisp baby spinach makes every bite lively and refreshing.
- Crunchy Candied Nuts: The candied nuts add a buttery sweetness and satisfying crunch that elevates this salad beyond ordinary.
- Easy Homemade Dressing: The lemon poppy seed dressing is light, zesty, and perfectly balanced, making it a breeze to make and customize.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a special brunch, this salad feels both wholesome and a little indulgent.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This Strawberry Spinach Salad with Candied Nuts Recipe relies on fresh, simple ingredients that balance sweet, savory, and tangy flavors with a delightful textural contrast. Here’s the scoop on why each ingredient shines:
- Baby Spinach: Tender and mild, it forms the perfect green base that doesn't overpower the other flavors.
- Strawberries: Their juicy sweetness is the salad’s star, offering bursts of freshness with every bite.
- Walnuts or Pecans: When candied, these nuts bring crunch and caramelized sweetness that’s utterly addictive.
- Brown Sugar: Helps create that beautiful caramel coating on the nuts, enhancing their natural flavor.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness to the candied nuts without overpowering the salad.
- Light Olive or Grapeseed Oil: A neutral oil that blends beautifully in the lemon poppy seed dressing without clouding flavors.
- Honey (optional): A touch of extra sweetness in the dressing, especially if your strawberries aren’t as sweet as you'd like.
- Poppy Seeds: Adds subtle crunch and a lovely visual contrast in the dressing.
- Dijon Mustard: Keeps the dressing emulsified and adds a slight tangy zip.
- Lemon Zest & Juice: Brightens the entire salad with fresh citrus notes.
- Kosher Salt: Essential for balancing sweetness and enhancing all the flavors.
- Feta Cheese: Creamy and salty, it perfectly complements the sweetness of the fruit and nuts.
Make It Your Way
I find this salad incredibly versatile, so I love mixing it up depending on what’s in season or what flavors I’m craving. You can easily tune this Strawberry Spinach Salad with Candied Nuts Recipe to suit your tastes or dietary needs.
- Swap Nuts: I sometimes use pecans instead of walnuts, and it makes a tasty variation with a slightly sweeter crunch.
- Vegan Version: Skip the butter in the candied nuts and use maple syrup for sweetness, then swap feta for a tangy vegan cheese or omit it altogether.
- Extra Fruit: Adding sliced avocado or blueberries can add creaminess or a juicier texture that I’ve really enjoyed.
- Make it Heartier: Toss in some cooked quinoa or grilled chicken if you want to turn this into a full meal.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Strawberry Spinach Salad with Candied Nuts Recipe
Step 1: Candied Nuts Magic
This step really sets the tone: melting butter and mixing in brown sugar with walnuts or pecans over medium heat. Stir continuously to coat all the nuts evenly. Watch carefully as the sugar caramelizes — about 3-4 minutes — and spreads a glossy, irresistible coating over the nuts. Don’t walk away here; caramel can burn fast. Once ready, spread nuts single-layer on parchment to cool so they crisp up perfectly and are easy to break apart.
Step 2: Whisk Up the Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing
In a medium bowl, whisk light olive oil, poppy seeds, Dijon mustard, lemon zest, lemon juice, and kosher salt until it’s thickened and emulsified. Let it sit at room temperature for at least 5 minutes so the flavors blend—this little wait is worth it! If you want it a bit sweeter, add a touch of honey.
Step 3: Toss and Serve
Combine fresh baby spinach, sliced strawberries, cooled candied nuts, and crumbled feta cheese gently in a large bowl. Hold off on adding the dressing until just before serving to keep the spinach crisp and the nuts crunchy. Dress lightly and toss once, then enjoy immediately!
Top Tip
From my kitchen experiments, these tips have helped me perfect this Strawberry Spinach Salad with Candied Nuts Recipe, and I hope they make your salad-making smoother too.
- Keep Nuts Cool: Always let candied nuts cool fully on parchment before mixing into the salad to avoid clumps and sogginess.
- Dressing Timing: Prep your dressing early to allow flavors to meld—it really enhances the overall taste.
- Strawberry Prep: Slice strawberries just before serving to maintain their juicy freshness.
- Gentle Tossing: Use a large bowl and toss gently to keep spinach leaves intact and prevent bruising.
How to Serve Strawberry Spinach Salad with Candied Nuts Recipe
Garnishes
I love finishing this salad with a sprinkle of extra candied nuts on top for that final crunch, plus a light drizzle of extra lemon juice if it needs a little more zing. A few fresh mint leaves or basil sprigs also add a refreshing herbal note when I’m feeling fancy.
Side Dishes
This salad pairs beautifully with simple grilled chicken or salmon for a balanced meal. For a relaxed gathering, I often serve it alongside crusty bread and a light, chilled white wine—it’s a combo that wins every time!
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve served this salad in elegant individual glass bowls layered with the strawberries and spinach for a gorgeous look. You can also arrange strawberries in a pretty fan on top, then sprinkle nuts and feta artistically for a wow factor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container without the dressing to keep the spinach from wilting and the nuts from going soggy. I usually add dressing only to the portion I intend to eat next day. Leftover salad tastes best within 24 hours.
Freezing
This salad is best enjoyed fresh, as freezing spinach and strawberries ruins their texture. I wouldn’t recommend freezing the Strawberry Spinach Salad with Candied Nuts Recipe, but you can prepare and freeze the candied nuts separately if you want to save time later.
Reheating
Since this is a fresh salad, reheating isn’t necessary. If you’ve added grilled protein alongside, that can be warmed gently in a pan or oven—and then tossed with freshly prepared salad for a fresh-and-warm combo that’s delicious.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Blueberries or raspberries can be great alternatives or additions to this Strawberry Spinach Salad with Candied Nuts Recipe, bringing different layers of flavor while keeping it fresh.
The key is to add the dressing just before serving and toss gently. Also, use fresh, well-washed baby spinach and avoid dressing the salad too early to maintain crispiness in the leaves.
Yes, you can make the candied nuts a day or two in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. This saves time and keeps them perfectly crunchy for your salad.
Definitely! Replace the butter with coconut oil or skip it entirely when candying the nuts, use maple syrup or agave for sweetness, and swap out the feta cheese for a vegan cheese alternative or omit it altogether.
Final Thoughts
This Strawberry Spinach Salad with Candied Nuts Recipe holds a special place in my recipe box because it’s simple yet impressive—something I can whip up last minute but still feel proud to serve. It’s a reminder that fresh ingredients and thoughtful little touches, like homemade candied nuts and a zingy dressing, make all the difference. I hope you enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do!
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Strawberry Spinach Salad with Candied Nuts Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Total Time: 8 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This vibrant Strawberry Spinach Salad combines fresh baby spinach, juicy strawberries, crunchy candied pecans, and salty feta cheese, all tossed with a zesty lemon poppy seed dressing. Perfect as a refreshing and crowd-pleasing side or light main, it's an easy recipe that even salad skeptics will love.
Ingredients
Candied Nuts
- ¾ cup 84 g chopped walnuts or pecans
- 2 tablespoon 24 g brown sugar
- 2 teaspoon 9 g unsalted butter
Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing
- ¼ cup 60 mL light olive oil or grapeseed oil
- ½ teaspoon 4 g honey, optional
- ½ teaspoon 4 g poppy seeds
- ½ teaspoon 4 g dijon mustard
- Zest of half lemon
- Juice of 1 lemon
- ½ teaspoon 4 g kosher salt
Salad
- 8 oz 240 g fresh baby spinach, washed
- 8 oz 240 g fresh strawberries, sliced
- 5 oz 130 g feta cheese, crumbled
- ¾ cup candied pecans or nuts (from above)
Instructions
- Prepare Candied Nuts: Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper and set aside. Melt the butter in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped nuts and brown sugar, stirring constantly with a silicone spatula to coat the nuts. Continue cooking and stirring for about 3-4 minutes until the sugar caramelizes.
- Cool Candied Nuts: Spread the candied nuts evenly on the prepared baking sheet in one layer to cool quickly. Once cooled, break them apart to use in the salad.
- Make Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, honey (if using), poppy seeds, Dijon mustard, lemon zest, lemon juice, and kosher salt until well emulsified. Let the dressing rest at room temperature for 5-15 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Assemble Salad: In a large salad bowl, gently toss together the baby spinach, sliced strawberries, crumbled feta cheese, and the cooled candied nuts.
- Serve: Serve the salad with the lemon poppy seed dressing on the side. Add dressing just before serving to keep the salad fresh and crisp.
Notes
- Use either walnuts or pecans depending on your preference for candied nuts.
- The candied nuts can be prepared ahead and stored to save time.
- Do not add dressing to the salad until just before serving to prevent sogginess.
- If honey is unavailable, you can omit it as it's optional in the dressing.
- For a nut-free option, omit the candied nuts and add toasted seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds instead.
- Ensure spinach is well washed and dried to keep the dressing from being diluted.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 183 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 268 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 33 mg
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