Spinach Berry Salad Bowl (Printable)

Fresh spinach tossed with mixed berries, goat cheese, toasted nuts, and tangy balsamic dressing for a light, vibrant meal.

# Components:

→ Salad

01 - 5 oz fresh baby spinach
02 - 3.5 oz mixed fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
03 - 2 oz goat cheese, crumbled
04 - 1.75 oz toasted walnuts or pecans, roughly chopped
05 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced (optional)

→ Vinaigrette

06 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
07 - 1.5 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
08 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Method:

01 - Wash and dry the spinach leaves and berries thoroughly to remove excess moisture.
02 - In a large salad bowl, combine the spinach, berries, goat cheese, nuts, and red onion if using.
03 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
04 - Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad just before serving.
05 - Toss gently to combine and serve immediately for optimal freshness.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes bright and indulgent at the same time, like youre treating yourself without trying too hard.
  • You can throw it together in the time it takes to argue about what to eat for lunch.
  • The sweet-tart combo of berries and vinaigrette makes every bite feel a little fancy.
  • Its one of those salads that actually fills you up and makes you crave vegetables.
02 -
  • Never dress the salad ahead of time or the spinach will wilt and the nuts will lose their crunch.
  • If your berries are really tart, add an extra half teaspoon of honey to the vinaigrette to balance it out.
  • Toast your nuts even if the package says theyre already roasted, the extra step makes them taste alive.
03 -
  • A tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top of the goat cheese right before serving makes it taste like it came from a restaurant.
  • If your balsamic vinegar is really thick and syrupy, use a little less, it can overpower the delicate greens.
  • Toss the salad with your hands instead of tongs for more even coating and less bruising of the spinach.
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