Salads in the summer are simply incredible because they are full of fresh ingredients & can be served cold as a nice cool down meal to beat the heat. Salads are great as a side dish, but also easily made into a meal with some protein added on top.
Ingredients in this summer salad
This best ever summer salad is packed with fresh ingredients to keep it bright, flavorful, healthy and fun to eat. You’ll need:
- Greens: A soft, flavorul green is ideal here. I highly recommend using spinach or arugula but a spring mix would work great here too.
- Fresh strawberries: grab a case of super juicy, ripe strawberries to add natural sweetness to this salad.
- Avocado: you’ll love the creaminess that avocado adds to every bite. I’d recommend choosing an avocado that isn’t too ripe so that it’s easier to cut and add to your salad. It should have just the tiniest bit of squeeze.
- Feta: the creamy, salty flavor feta gives to the salad is out of this world. You can also use goat cheese for a little more tang, or even gorgonzola or blue cheese crumbles.
- Red onion: for a little zing to go with the creamy feta and sweet strawberries. If you’re sensitive to the onion flavor, simply soak the slices in water beforehand or omit from your salad.
- Pecans & Pepitas: for the perfect added crunch
- Hemp Seeds: for a boost of plant-based protein. But feel free to add on your favorite grilled chicken, salmon or steak.
- Homemade strawberry basil vinaigrette: a super easy dressing made with strawberries, fresh basil, balsamic, lemon juice, and olive oil.
Lastly, my preference is to use organic spinach and organic strawberries because they are two items on the EWG’s dirty dozen list.
Make it ahead of time
Feel free to prepare all of the ingredients for the strawberry spinach salad ahead of time, but save the dressing until you’re ready to enjoy. Spinach can tend to soak up a lot of moisture, so it’s best to enjoy the dressed salad the day-of or one day later.
The avocado should stay fresh for a couple of days with help from the acidity from the balsamic. You can also add a squeeze of lemon juice if you plan on storing the summersalad before dressing and serving it.
How to store this strawberry spinach salad
Store this strawberry spinach salad in an airtight container in the fridge, without the dressing, for up to 4-5 days. The dressing will stay good in a container in the fridge for up to one week as well.
More delicious salads to try
Hanger Steak Salad with Creamy Balsamic
Grilled Chicken Shawarma Bower bowls
Buffalo Cauliflower Salad with Dairy Free Ranch
Peach, Beet and Prosciutto Salad
Grilled Steak and peach Salad
If you make this summer strawberry spinach salad recipe, be sure to tag #eatingataltitude on Instagram. I’d also love if you would leave a comment below and rate the recipe. ! xo.
Summer Salad with Strawberry Basil Vinaigrette
Ingredients
Strawberry Basil Dressing
- 1 C fresh strawberries
- 1 handful fresh basil
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 C light tasting olive oil sub avocado oil
Salad Ingredients
- 8 Cups spinach or arugula
- 1 C Strawberries, halved
- 1 C blueberries sub any dark berry
- 1 large avocado, sliced
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 C feta crumbles
- 1/3 C raw pecans
- 1/4 C pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
- 1/4 C hemp seeds
Instructions
- For the strawberry basil vinaigrette: Add all ingredients to blender and process until smooth.
- For the Salad: Add spinach or arugula to a large bowl, layer on the strawberries, blueberries, avocado slices, red onion, feta, nuts & hemp seeds. Toss with dressing and enjoy.
