Strawberry Spinach and Walnut Salad with Raspberry Balsamic Vinaigrette
This Strawberry Spinach and Walnut Salad with Raspberry Balsamic Vinaigrette is classic – and full of nutrition! One of my favorite salads ever.
Click here to pin this Strawberry Spinach Salad recipe!
This recipe for Strawberry Spinach and Walnut Salad was originally shared in May 2011 (6 years ago!). I’ve updated this post with new photos for you. It’s still one of my favorite salads and one I’ve been enjoying a lot lately.
Let me introduce you to my salad of the week. Well, let’s say, salad of the season. Because it’s not going anywhere for a while.
I was originally inspired to make this salad for the first time many years ago after seeing it on my friend Tina’s site after she suggested it to me and I have craved it oh so often ever since.
I know salads like this Strawberry Spinach Salad have been floating around for awhile so it’s not the most original recipe. But what I want you to do is look at it more from a nutritional stand point than just as a salad plate. I always seem to fall back on this salad when I’m trying to really lighten up a meal without missing out on flavor and a nutritional boost.
I felt like eating this on it’s own tonight, but it would be perfect with some grilled shrimp, chicken or fish.
So when I say look at this plate of goodness from more of a nutritional standpoint this is what I mean. I don’t always feel like eating a salad. For some reason making at a salad at home is the last thing I want to do. I love eating them out, but at home, eh, too much work maybe? Silly, I know. But when you see how good for you a plate like this is, you can’t help but start to crave it. Well, at least that’s how I work.
Healthy Spinach Strawberry Salad with Walnuts
Spinach (source: Livestrong.com)
- low calorie
- one cup contains more than daily requirements of vitamin K, vitamin A
- high in manganese, folate and magnesium
- excellent source of dietary fiber, calcium and protein
- contains cancer fighting antioxidants
- is known to promote cardiovascular health with high levels of magnesium that can lower high blood pressure levels
Strawberries (source: Livestrong.com)
- rich source of vitamins such as vitamin A, B-complex, C and E
- reduces inflammation in the body
- has higher levels of vitamin C than oranges
- powerful antioxidant
- healthy dose of dietary fiber that aids in reducing bad cholesterol
Walnuts (source: BBC News)
- highest level of antioxidant than any other nut
- great source of protein and omega-3
Like this Spinach Strawberry Salad? Pin It Here!
See what I mean? Good stuff.
I can’t not talk about the salad dressing here. We go through a lot of jelly jars in my house thanks to our healthy obsession with PB&Js so I find myself with almost empty jars pretty often. When the jar has that tiny bit of jelly left at the bottom is the best time to pull it aside to make a salad dressing – right in the jar. I use condiment jars to make vinaigrettes often, like this Mustard and Herb Vinaigrette, and the ideas are pretty endless when you are a condiment collector like we are. So simple, so good.
More homemade vinaigrettes to try:
Yield:
Category:
Print
PinIngredients
For the salad:
- 2 cups (handfuls) of fresh spinach
- 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
- 8 walnut halves, rough chopped
- 1 oz crumbled gorgonzola (about a 1/4 of plastic container)
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/3 avocado, sliced (optional)
For the vinaigrette:
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon raspberry (or other berry) preserves
- 1 teaspoons stone ground mustard
Instructions
To prepare salad:
- Layer each ingredient on a large salad plate. Serve with Raspberry Balsamic Vinaigrette.
To make Raspberry Balsamic Vinaigrette:
- Combine ingredients in a jar or tightly sealed container. Shake vigorously until well combined.
Notes
Recipe inspired and adapted from Mommy’s Kitchen
Follow Aggie’s Kitchen’s board Homemade Salad Dressings on Pinterest.
Are you following me on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest? If you’d like to subscribe to Aggie’s Kitchen and have each post delivered straight to your e-mail box, then please add your email here. Happy cooking!
There are affiliate links in this post. I make small earnings through any purchases made through these links. Thank you for supporting Aggie’s Kitchen!
I ALMOST bought strawberries today too! This looks fantastic. Makes me want soft cheeses so bad 😉 That will definitely be my first post-baby eat! And how perfect is this for the warm weather? Love it!
Yummy salad and beautiful pictures!
I love strawberries it has a lot of vitamins c and an antioxidant, the wall nut has omega 3 fatty acids. spinach promotes good eyesight, strengthens muscles, prevention of age-related macula degeneration… I definitely like this salad =)
p.s. you had a great picture
Looks really lovely and good. I love a filling, satisfying, and healthy salad. I recently made a similar salad that we enjoyed a lot: http://savorymomentsblog.blogspot.com/2011/05/spinach-strawberry-and-feta-salad.html
You now have me craving this salad also! How could something so delicious be so healthy!!! I call that a win-win!
it’s most definitely a win win! Had this for dinner two nights in a row… 🙂
I wish I had some of this right now, Aggie! So yummy!
Mmm spinach. Considering its health benefits, I’ve always felt lucky that I love it so much. And this salad IS spectacular. I don’t make it nearly as often as I should. I should do it for a lunch or two while strawberries are at the end of their season.
I eat a salad similar to this almost every day! Delicious! I also reeeeally love spinach and walnuts with a vinaigrette and cranberry goat cheese – from costco of all places. Super tasty! P.S. Is it strawberry or raspberry preserves you put in the dressing?
I have to find that cranberry goat cheese! I bet its delicious!
I actually put strawberry preserves in the dressing, because it’s what I had in fridge. 🙂
looks so good, i’m keen to try one of these strawberry salads too 🙂
That looks so wonderful Aggie. I bet the gorgonzola cheese is so good on that salad.
such a great salad Tina, so many ways to change it up! Thanks for the inspiration! Can’t wait to see you in a couple months!
Found your blog through ELR – I had to comment and tell you I LOVE your foodie philosophy! Simple and to the point :). I try to follow the same!
Thank you so much for coming over! Simple and to the point it is isn’t it…and can be interpreted in different ways depending on the mood too right? 😉
I’ve still never tried fruit in a salad! It looks great though!
oh aggie did you know that strawberries are high in iodine too?
i didn’t.
you know i had some strawberries, in a salad with some blue cheese crumbles. it was good, i thought it would be gross.
nope.
you have some good recipes here, i’ve missed a lot.
This is definietly one of my favourite seasonal salads Aggie!!!
Spinach and strawberries were meant to be in a salad together! Great photo!
It’s funny that you said you like to order salads out, but not so much at home to make them. ME TOO. But you are so right about the nutritional value. And in the summer? Nothing better! I can’t wait to make this…. and top it as you said with some grilled chicken for the perfect summer dinner.
Pingback: Spinach, Strawberry and Walnut Salad with Raspberry Balsamic Vinaigrette | Aggie's Kitchen
Strawberries with spinach is one of my favorite summer salads, too! I love that you’re looking at it from a nutritional standpoint … strawberries sometimes don’t get the love they deserve. I’m going to try making fruit leather with them before summer’s over – one of our “Summer Camp” projects this year!
I really like that you did not include spinach being a source of iron! everyone assumes its a great source , ya know, popeye the sailor man and whatever. It isn’t a good source, it does contain it though there are way too many sources that are better!
the salad looks fantastic!
Aggie!!
I LOVE this salad!! Every single ingredient except gorgonzola…but with so many other cheeses…it’s an easy fix. Goat cheese? Brie? Fresh Mozzarella? sooo many options! 🙂
I’ve been eating a ton of salads too…just posted one today actually. It’s a chili lime chicken romaine salad. But you’ve got me craving this one now…so I must get to the store and get some spinach soon!!
Hope you’re doing well!!
Fabulous! I’ve been craving a lot of salads lately, and, of course, gorging on lots and lots of strawberries, so this looks like a perfect combination!
Pingback: Featured Food: Week Two (6/24-6/30)- Comarosa Strawberry « UWW NuGenesis Research Project
Hi Aggie,
Can you please contact me to discuss using this wonderful recipe on our website? We make delicious candied walnuts and are always looking for new ways to use them. Please contact me via email to chat further. — Heather Jones, Dir. of PR & Marketing, Santé Nuts
I make this salad and love it, but I have added blueberries,and kiwi it great!!
Pingback: Strawberry Mojito Slushies | the little kitchen
I am always looking for new salads! I ned to find some of that dressing!
This salad looks really delicious and healthy. I’m all for anything healthy so I’ll definitely try making this at home. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
delicious, this dish looks so tempting and healthy. I had the really good food at ‘Del frio’, their cake, waffles, were amazing.
I tried this salad after I had it at a restaurant . I loved the salad. Its fresh and perfect for the summer. I did have some trouble having the dressing taste less vinegar . I had to add more jelly which in turn made it sweeter . Well a little extra sugar is always good . This has motivated me to eat more salads and also try my own dressings ! Thank You !
I am glad you enjoyed it! Next time, add a little more oil to get less vinegary – it makes a difference without adding the sweetness. Hope you’ll try more homemade dressings, they are fun to put together!
It a Mouthwatering Recipe. I will Try it.
Nice recipe, I like it
I wish I had some of this right now, Aggie! So yummy!
Your blog is awesome. Great recipe
Delicious – thank you!
Awesome picture, make me hungery.