This quick and easy strawberry summer salad is loaded with flavor, making for the perfect summer bite.
Using fresh and ripe strawberries, leafy spinach, fresh basil, red onions, feta, and an incredible honey-lime vinaigrette, this salad packs a major flavor punch.
Strawberry Summer Salad Ingredients
Most obviously, strawberries. Use the ripest ones you can find! After all, this salad is centered around the fresh seasonal flavors of summertime.
Spinach– A dark, leafy green does really well in this salad. The sweetness of the strawberries and tanginess of the dressing totally mask any bitterness that spinach tends to invite.
Basil– This is the ingredient that you won’t be able to see but adds a noticeable depth of flavor. Seriously, this is the most subtle way to really elevate a salad.
Red Onion– A chopped red onion is exactly what this salad wants and you will see why when you put it all together!
Feta– Any crumbly cheese will do but feta is definitely perfect. The texture and the tang just pair so well with everything.
Olive Oil– The base of the dressing is olive oil so you will want to use a high quality one!
Balsamic Vinegar– Balsamic is a must here! Using a little less balsamic than olive oil creates the perfect ratio.
Lime Juice– For that citrus burst of flavor
Honey– This touch of sweetness really balances out the lime juice and balsamic perfectly.
Grated Garlic– The garlic is raw so the best way to really get all that flavor is by grating it!
How to make strawberry salad
This recipe couldn’t be simpler. By using the right ingredients, you allow the natural flavors to combine and do the work without having to add a bunch of extra stuff. Using fresh, ripe produce is key here.
Chop up all of your ingredients! This seems unneccessary but makes for the best slaad eating experience. I think a big salad turn off is the inconvenient, large leaves that make for unpleasant dining. This way, you can get every element of the salad in one easy bite!
Make the honey-lime vinaigrette. Add olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lime juice, honey, fresh grated garlic, salt, and pepper to a small bowl and whisk!
Add protein
This salad is the perfect side dish! I love to enjoy it with my steak!
Grilled chicken would make a fabulous mix in here too.
Salmon would compliment the salad so well! You can make extra dressing and use it as a salmon marinade to really bring it all together.
Lentils or chickpeas for added plant-based protein and fiber is a great idea too!
Strawberry Summer Salad
Ingredients
- 1 cup strawberries chopped
- 2-3 cups baby spinach chopped
- 1 handful of basil
- ¼ medium red onion
- ⅔ cup crumbled feta cheese
Honey-Lime Vinaigrette
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup lime juice
- 1 tsp honey
- 2 cloves garlic grated
Instructions
- Chop up all your ingredients: spinach, basil, red onion, and strawberries. Crumble feta if not already.
- Add all ingredients to a large bowl.
Make the honey lime vinaigrette
- Grate your garlic into a small bowl.
- Add all the liquid ingredients, salt, and pepper. Whisk until fully combined.
- Pour over salad and enjoy!
If you like this salad, try my Sweet Peach Salad with Feta and Fresh Herbs
