Very Berry Feta Spinach Salad

Main DishesVegetarianVeganDairy FreeGluten FreeQuick and EasyHealthyEntertainingSoups & Salads

Jul 25

Full of vibrant colors and flavors, this Very Berry Feta Spinach Salad is a delicious summer salad that will captivate your taste buds. This salad is packed with wholesome ingredients like fresh strawberries, blueberries, walnuts, and tender baby spinach. To add some brightness it’s tossed with my *Lively Lemon Vinaigrette*, then topped with some tangy feta cheese and sautéed shallots.

This salad is a delightful combination of sweet, tangy, salty, and earthy flavors. To learn how to make this amazing summer salad recipe, see the printable recipe card below. Take a look at the recipe video, or get Step by Step Instructions for a more detailed explanation of this recipe. For other recipe variations including vegan and dairy-free, visit the Pimp My Recipe section in this recipe’s Blog Comments & Tips.

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RECIPE

(Check out our S tep by Step Instructions below the recipe card.)

Step by Step Instructions

PREPARATION

Organize all your tools and ingredients before you begin. Getting all your ingredients in one place at the beginning will shorten your prep time.

Sautéed Shallot

STEP 1

Thinly slice 1 large shallot into rings or strips. Add ½ tablespoon olive oil to a 10 inch frying pan on medium heat. Then add the sliced shallot, and sauté for 1 minute, separating the rings as they cook (see Note #1). Sprinkle 1 pinch kosher salt, 1 pinch ground black pepper, and 1 pinch granulated sugar, and continue to sauté until wilted, golden brown, and caramelized (about 5-6 minutes - do not burn or they will become bitter). Set aside to cool.

Sliced shallot.

Add shallot to oil.

Sauté.

S&P and sugar.

Sauté until wilted.

Wilted after 5-6 mins.

Vinaigrette & Salad

STEP 1

Prepare *Lively Lemon Vinaigrette (tap for recipe)*, and set aside (see Note below).
***Note:*** My *Lively Lemon Vinaigrette recipe* *takes only 5 minutes to make! It can be made up to 2 days ahead of time, and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight mason jar.*

STEP 2

Wash and dry about 8 large fresh strawberries, and 1 cup fresh blueberries. Then hull, and slice strawberries (about 1 cup sliced), and set berries aside.

STEP 3

Add 5 ounces fresh baby spinach (about 4 cups) to a large salad bowl or mixing bowl. Add 1 pinch kosher salt, 1 pinch ground black pepper, washed & dried blueberries, and sliced strawberries (see Note below). Crumble 2 ounces block traditional feta cheese (about ½ cup), and add to the salad. Drizzle ⅓ cup Lively Lemon Vinaigrette (or to taste) all over salad, and toss gently until well coated. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Note: If you want a fancier presentation, omit the strawberries from this step (as shown in these photos), and arrange them on each salad plate just before serving (as shown in next step).

Blueberries, S&P.

Add feta.

Drizzle vinaigrette.

Toss salad.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

Serve on individual plates. Arrange strawberries on plate (optional), then drizzle a little vinaigrette over the strawberries before serving. Top each salad with some sautéed shallots, and ¼ cup chopped walnuts (or almonds - optional). Serve immediately, and enjoy!

Top with shallots.

Drizzle on strawberries.

Notes:

Lively Lemon Vinaigrette can be made ahead!
Makes 4 servings (entree salad portions).

BACK TO RECIPE

VIDEO

How to Make this Very Berry Feta Spinach Salad!

(VIDEO COMING SOON)

Blog Comments & Tips

The perfect summer salad!

In this deliciously healthy Very Berry Feta Spinach Salad, the combination of fresh berries, tender spinach leaves, creamy and salty feta cheese, and caramelized shallots, are brought together by my bright and tangy Lively Lemon Vinaigrette. This summer salad offers a refreshing take on the traditional spinach salad recipe.

With its mild and earthy flavor, spinach along with the natural sweetness of fresh berries, the saltiness of feta cheese, and the crunch of fresh walnuts provide a wealth of essential nutrients all in one plate.

Here are some of the health benefits of this Very Berry Feta Spinach Salad:

Antioxidants & Immune Boosting: Strawberries and blueberries are packed with antioxidants like anthocyanins and vitamin C. The vitamin C from the berries and the phytonutrients from spinach and feta cheese help strengthen the immune system. Walnuts are also rich in antioxidants like polyphenols and vitamin E.
Heart Health: The combination of spinach, berries, and feta cheese provides a good amount of potassium, which supports heart health by helping to regulate blood pressure. Walnuts contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, specifically alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which helps reduce inflammation and supports healthy blood vessels. Consuming walnuts regularly may lower bad cholesterol (LDL) levels and may improve overall heart health.
Bone Health: Spinach is an excellent source of vitamin K, essential for maintaining strong and healthy bones. Additionally, the calcium in feta cheese contributes to bone health. Walnuts contain important minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, which play a crucial role in maintaining strong bones and preventing conditions like osteoporosis.
Blood Sugar Regulation: The low glycemic index of berries and spinach helps regulate blood sugar levels, making this salad suitable to maintain stable energy levels throughout the day.

How do you ensure the best results from this recipe?

My 5 tips to making this Very Berry Feta Spinach Salad:

Use organic produce.
Baby spinach leaves are best for this recipe, as they are more tender.
Use fresh berries, not frozen.
Slice the shallot thinly and sauté until caramelized but not burnt. If you burn the edges, the shallots will become bitter instead of sweet.
You can certainly toss the strawberries along with all the other ingredients, but I prefer to arrange the strawberries on each plate for a prettier presentation. Just make sure to drizzle a bit of my Lively Lemon Vinaigrette over the strawberries before serving.

It’s time to customize and Pimp My Recipe.

Pimp My Recipe:

Don’t Like Feta Cheese? Replace the feta cheese with the same amount of crumbled goat cheese. Or, omit the feta cheese altogether.
Make it Vegan & Dairy Free: Omit the feta cheese altogether. Or, you could replace it with your favorite non-dairy cheese substitute.
Make it with More Berries: In addition to the strawberries and blueberries, add 1 cup fresh raspberries. If you want even more variety, add ½ cup fresh raspberries and ½ cup fresh blackberries, plus all the other ingredients listed in this recipe.
Add Protein: This salad is delicious with grilled chicken. Try my Ridiculously Easy Lime Chicken recipe, and replace the fresh lime juice with fresh squeezed lemon juice instead.

Enjoy and let me know what you think by commenting below, rating my recipes, subscribing, following, and liking Prep My Recipe on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok! Don’t forget to subscribe to get updates on new recipes and tips & tricks.

Happy Cooking!

Mich

Footnote: Remember to thinly slice the shallot to allow it to caramelize faster. Continuously sauté the shallots so it doesn’t burn.

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Prep My Recipe

Prep My Recipe is a food blog featuring California-style recipes in a variety of categories and dietary preferences, along with step-by-step instructions, printable recipe cards, helpful how to videos, and recommended products. This website also spotlights “Pimp My Recipe” ideas for a unique twist on how to customize each recipe.

https://PrepMyRecipe.com

Very Berry Feta Spinach Salad

RECIPE