This Strawberry Spinach Salad is a delicious twist on a summer favorite! Loaded with fresh strawberries, goat cheese, pistachios, and a delicious honey balsamic vinaigrette… this salad is sure to become your new summer go-to!
If you’ve been following me for a while now, you know that SALADS are one of my favorite foods ever. And not just because they’re healthy, and beautiful, and easy to whip up….but because the possibilities for them are endless. They’re like a blank canvas for creativity, which means I can basically do whatever I want with them!
On any given day, I make at least one salad. Which I then eat for lunch. And about half the time I make two. One for lunch, and one as a side for dinner!.My kids are in awe….as are many of my family and friends….finding it hard to believe that I never get tired of eating so. much. salad.
Well. The truth is, every now and then I DO get tired of it. Which is how I know it’s time for me to mix things up. Make something different. Make a salad that feels special….instead of just ordinary.
Like this Strawberry Spinach Salad! It’s the perfect combination of fresh spinach, sweet strawberries, crunchy pistachios, and creamy goat cheese. It’s light and refreshing, yet packed with flavor. Delicious. Memorable. Special!
what you’ll need for this recipe
Spinach – Fresh spinach is the base of this salad. It’s crisp, clean, and earthy, which makes it the perfect balance for all the other flavors. I also love that is’t packed with nutrients, which never hurts!
Strawberries – Fresh strawberries add a delicious soft sweetness to this salad without being overpowering. I quartered mine, but you can cut them any way you see fit.
Goat cheese – Creamy goat cheese adds delicious savory flavor and a luxurious texture to this salad. I used goat cheese tallegio, but any type of goat cheese will work beautifully.
Pistachios – Shelled pistachios add a nutty flavor and crunch to the salad. I used plain, unsalted.
Poppy seed vinaigrette – Homemade poppy seed vinaigrette is the perfect light, sweet dressing and complements the salad flavors well. I made mine with olive oil, white balsamic vinegar, honey, poppy seeds, and black pepper.
how to make strawberry spinach salad
Assemble the salad. Fill a large salad bowl with fresh spinach. Add strawberries, goat cheese, and pistachios.
Make the dressing. Prepare the dressing by combining all ingredients and shaking vigorously.
Drizzle and toss. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to coat.
Storage Tips
Leftover salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It’s best to store it undressed if possible, since the dressing will make the spinach wilt more quickly. I would recommend eating the salad within 2 days of making it.
Recipe Variations
- Substitute mixed greens, arugula, or Romaine for the spinach
- Add blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries
- Use pecans, walnuts, pine nuts, or any of your favorite nuts in place of pistachios
- Substitute candied walnuts or candied pecans for an extra crunchy, sweet twist
- Substitute blue cheese, feta cheese, or shaved Parmesan for the goat cheese
- Top it with honey mustard dressing or balsamic vinaigrette
More Summer Salads You’ll Love
Looking to switch up your salads? These are some of our favorites for summer and beyond!
Strawberry Spinach Salad with Goat Cheese & Pistachios
Ingredients
Salad
- 8 ounces fresh spinach
- 1 1/2 cups strawberries quartered
- 4 ounces goat cheese crumbled
- 1/2 cup shelled pistachios
Vinaigrette
- 1/3 cup olive oil light
- 1/3 cup white balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons poppy seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Fill a large salad bowl with fresh spinach.
- Add strawberries, goat cheese, and pistachios.
- Prepare dressing by combining all ingredients and shaking vigorously.
- Drizzle salad with dressing and toss to coat.
Notes
Recipe Variations
- Substitute mixed greens, arugula, or Romaine for the spinach
- Add blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries
- Use pecans, walnuts, pine nuts, or any of your favorite nuts in place of pistachios
- Substitute candied walnuts or candied pecans for an extra crunchy, sweet twist
- Substitute blue cheese, feta cheese, or shaved Parmesan for the goat cheese
- Top it with honey mustard dressing or balsamic vinaigrette
Nutrition
I love goat cheese! This salad looks so gourmet and perfect for spring!
Wow, that sounds like a grocery store that has it all! This salad is perfect for springtime and you can never go wrong with Tallegio.
I just bought a container of strawberries – first of the season! Gorgeous salad!
You know I can’t resist your salads! This one looks amazingly delicious!
Awww…thanks, Jess! I think they’re my favorite recipes to share! Glad you appreciate them 🙂 xoxo
This looks so fresh and delicious! I really need to step up my salad game and try this!
Thanks so much, Laura!
This salad is just so beautiful! All those flavors and colors, WOW!
Thanks, Ashlyn!
I just love all your salad recipes! And I lol’ed at the hashtag Wisconsin. Gotta love a good cheese! And that place looks like heaven to me! I can see how you spent almost the whole day there!
This salad is gorgeous!! I want to start dieting and this salad is right up my alley. I’ve heard goat cheese tastes great in cheese, but I’ve yet to try it. I need to make this asap! 🙂
I cannot get over the beautiful colors in this salad! I’m sure it tastes as good as it looks! Great job with this!
This salad is perfection. I love everything about it. I love the pistachios most–unexpected goodies!
This is one incredible salad! Gorgeous and delicious!!
That market sounds amazing, and I love the combination of ingredients in this salad! Goat cheese is something I’ve grown to love so much and I love it in sweet and savory salads and appetizers. This is just perfect for spring!
The market sounds amazing – and this salad?! It’s all of my favorite things in one salad!!
I’m totally craving this for lunch today. Bright, fresh and so delicious!
I love adding strawberries to salads! This dressing sound amazing!
That grocery store looks and sounds amazing!! I want one near me, but I don’t think I’d ever leave it!
I’ve made a strawberry and spinach salad that has been a family favorite for years, but this one is so much better with your additions. I can’t wait to make it. It’s on our Mother’s Day menu. Actually, someone else will make it for me. 😉
What a stunning salad!
What a gorgeous salad! It has spring and summer written all over it….yum!!
This Salad!!! I’m dying over how good it sounds!
This is my dream salad! So full of flavor and perfect for strawberry season coming up!
Totally want this salad! It looks so healthy and refreshing!
This dressing sound amazing!