The Pioneer Woman’s Quick & Zesty Spinach Strawberry Salad Recipe

Spinach strawberry salad brings a burst of summer freshness to your plate, combining crisp greens with sweet, juicy berries.

Unexpected flavor combinations dance across your taste buds, creating a symphony of textures and colors.

Delicate leaves provide a nutritious foundation for this vibrant dish that feels both elegant and casual.

Light and refreshing, the salad balances earthy green notes with bright, fruity undertones.

Crunchy nuts and tangy cheese add delightful complexity to each forkful.

Nutrition meets pure culinary pleasure in this simple yet sophisticated combination.

Grab your ingredients and prepare to transform an ordinary meal into something extraordinary:

Why Pioneer Woman’s Spinach Strawberry Salad is a Fresh Delight

• Burst with Fresh Flavor Combinations: Enjoy the delightful mix of sweet strawberries, peppery spinach, and tangy feta that dance together in every single bite, creating a symphony of tastes that wake up your taste buds.
• Elevate Your Texture Game: Experience a perfect crunch from toasted pecans, silky smoothness of fresh spinach, juicy strawberry chunks, and creamy feta cheese that provide an exciting textural adventure in just one salad.
• Quick and Easy Gourmet Delight: Whip up this restaurant-quality salad in just 25 minutes with simple ingredients and minimal cooking, making it an ideal choice for busy home cooks who want maximum flavor with minimum effort.

Ingredients for Pioneer Woman’s Spinach Strawberry Salad

• Baby Spinach: Fresh, tender green with a mild flavor, perfect for a light and nutritious salad base.

• Strawberries: Sweet and juicy berries that add vibrant color and fresh taste to the salad.
• Red Onion: Sharp and crisp vegetable that provides a slight bite and adds depth to the salad's flavor profile.

• Pecans: Crunchy, buttery nuts with a rich flavor, toasted to enhance their natural taste and texture.
• Feta Cheese: Tangy and crumbly cheese that adds a creamy and salty element to the salad.

• Balsamic Vinegar: Slightly sweet and tangy vinegar that brings complex flavor to the dressing.
• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: High-quality oil that helps blend dressing ingredients and adds smooth richness.
• Poppy Seeds: Small seeds that provide a subtle crunch and visual interest to the dressing.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that balances the vinegar's acidity and adds a smooth texture.
• Dijon Mustard: Sharp and tangy condiment that helps emulsify the dressing.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the dressing's components.
• Black Pepper: Adds a mild heat and aromatic spiciness to the dressing.

How to Make Pioneer Woman’s Spinach Strawberry Salad

Step 1: Roast The Pecans

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread pecans on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 8-10 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden. Remove from oven and roughly chop. Let pecans cool completely.

Step 2: Soften The Onions

Place thinly sliced red onion in cold water. Let soak for 10-15 minutes to reduce sharp flavor. Drain completely before using.

Step 3: Whip Up Poppy Seed Dressing

• Balsamic vinegar
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Poppy seeds
• Honey
• Dijon mustard
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper

Combine all ingredients in a jar or bowl. Shake or whisk until well blended and smooth.

Step 4: Assemble Salad Base

• Fresh baby spinach
• Quartered strawberries
• Drained red onion slices

Pour half the prepared dressing. Gently toss to coat spinach evenly.

Step 5: Finish With Toppings

Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese and cooled chopped pecans over salad. Lightly toss to distribute ingredients.

Step 6: Serve And Enjoy

Plate salad immediately. Serve remaining dressing on side. Enjoy this fresh and vibrant dish at room temperature.

Pro Tips for Pioneer Woman’s Spinach Strawberry Salad

• Elevate Texture Instantly: Crush toasted almonds or pecans for a surprising crunch that transforms the salad's entire mouthfeel.
• Customize Flavor Depth: Replace balsamic vinaigrette with raspberry wine vinegar for a tangy, more sophisticated dressing that complements sweet strawberries.
• Power Up Protein Easily: Crumble goat cheese or feta over the top to add creamy, rich protein that makes the salad feel more substantial.
• Create Unexpected Brightness: Finely chop fresh mint leaves and sprinkle them sparingly to introduce a surprising herbal note that wakes up every bite.
• Maximize Seasonal Goodness: Select peak-ripeness strawberries from local farmers markets to ensure the most vibrant, natural sweetness in your salad.

How to Store Pioneer Woman’s Spinach Strawberry Salad

• Separate Dressing Method: Remove dressing before refrigerating to maintain crisp salad textures. Pour dressing into a small sealed glass jar or airtight container. Shake well before serving and keep chilled up to 3 days.
• Container Selection Method: Choose transparent glass or hard plastic containers with tight-fitting lids. Opt for shallow containers to prevent ingredient crushing. Select containers that allow proper air circulation while protecting delicate salad components.
• Ingredient Preservation Method: Layer salad strategically by placing sturdy ingredients like nuts at bottom, followed by greens, then delicate strawberries on top. Use paper towels to absorb excess moisture, preventing premature wilting. Keep components loosely packed to maintain freshness and prevent bruising during storage.

Creative Twists on Pioneer Woman’s Spinach Strawberry Salad

• Citrus Burst Spinach Salad: Replace balsamic vinegar with orange juice and add mandarin orange segments. Sprinkle some fresh orange zest over the salad for a bright, tangy flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Magic Salad: Swap feta for crumbled goat cheese and add kalamata olives. Include chopped fresh mint leaves to enhance the Mediterranean-inspired taste and provide an herbal undertone.
• Protein Power Salad: Incorporate grilled chicken breast or seared shrimp on top of the original recipe. Introduce quinoa or roasted chickpeas for additional protein and nutty complexity.
• Winter Harvest Salad: Substitute strawberries with roasted butternut squash cubes and swap pecans for toasted pumpkin seeds. Add dried cranberries for extra sweetness and seasonal warmth.

Pioneer Woman’s Spinach Strawberry Salad: A Light, Refreshing Dish

Culinary masterpieces emerge from simple ingredients, transforming ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences.

Pioneer Woman’s Spinach Strawberry Salad delivers a symphony of flavors that dance across palates with delightful precision.

Mediterranean-inspired elements blend seamlessly, creating a balanced composition of sweet, tangy, and nutty profiles.

Fresh baby spinach provides a robust foundation for juicy strawberries and creamy feta cheese.

Toasted pecans add unexpected crunch, elevating this salad from basic to brilliant.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this recipe promises to become a cherished favorite that sparks conversation, delights senses, and inspires kitchen creativity.

Go ahead – snap a mouth-watering photo, share this recipe with friends, and let culinary passion ignite your next meal.

Pioneer Woman Spinach Strawberry Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Fresh strawberries and crisp spinach mingle in this delightful salad from Pioneer Woman’s kitchen. Candied pecans and tangy poppy seed dressing create a perfect harmony of flavors you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Salad Base:

• 10 ounces (280 grams) fresh baby spinach
• 1 quart (946 milliliters) strawberries, hulled and quartered (about 1 pound or 454 grams)
• ¾ cup (90 grams) raw pecans
• ½ small red onion, very thinly sliced
• ¾ cup (113 grams) crumbled feta cheese

Dressing Ingredients:

• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) balsamic vinegar
• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 ½ tablespoons (22.5 milliliters) honey
• ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard

Seasoning:

• 1 ½ tablespoons (22.5 milliliters) poppy seeds
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. Transform pecans into a toasty delight by heating the oven to 350°F (175°C). Arrange pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet, allowing them to roast for 8 to 10 minutes until their aroma fills the kitchen. Remove and chop roughly, then set aside to cool completely.
2. Submerge thinly sliced red onions in cold water, creating a crisp and mild flavor profile while preparing the remaining salad components.
3. Craft the poppy seed dressing by whisking together balsamic vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil, poppy seeds, honey, Dijon mustard, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a small bowl or jar until ingredients harmonize seamlessly.
4. Create the salad foundation by layering baby spinach and quartered strawberries in a spacious mixing bowl. Drain the softened onions and incorporate them into the mix. Drizzle approximately half the prepared dressing, gently tossing to ensure each spinach leaf receives a delicate coating.
5. Elevate the salad’s complexity by sprinkling crumbled feta cheese and the previously toasted pecans. Delicately fold the ingredients to distribute them evenly, creating a balanced medley of textures and flavors.
6. Present the salad immediately to capture peak freshness. Offer the remaining poppy seed dressing alongside, allowing diners to customize their culinary experience. This vibrant dish promises a refreshing and sophisticated palate adventure.

Notes

• Crafting this salad just before serving preserves the crisp spinach and ensures maximum freshness with every delightful bite.
• Summer social events and casual dinners transform into memorable moments with this quick, colorful creation that impresses without extensive preparation.
• Feta’s creamy, salty profile brilliantly balances the strawberries’ sweetness, delivering a luxurious texture and complex flavor experience.
• Baby spinach creates a delicate, mild foundation that showcases the vibrant red strawberries and delivers stunning visual appeal.
• Homemade poppy seed dressing combines balsamic tanginess, honey’s smoothness, and Dijon’s zesty kick into one perfectly harmonized vinaigrette.
• Softening red onions in cold water reduces their harsh bite, resulting in a sophisticated flavor that gently complements the salad’s sweet elements.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 282 kcal
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 126 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 14 mg