Strawberry Spinach and Pecan Salad is a healthy, simple and delicious salad, with just the right mix of sweet and tart. Toasted pecans not only enhance but balance the flavors perfectly. And this salad pairs well with so many salad dressings. However, I like it best with my Honey Lime Cilantro Dressing.
Strawberry Spinach Pecan salad is popular in the spring during strawberry season, and it's the perfect salad for an Easter side with my Easter Picnic Ham and Old Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes, with Carrot Cake for dessert! And although it makes a great side dish, just add grilled chicken and you can make it a meal! It's ideal during warmer months, but is a great salad any time of year. It's dairy-free (vegan), gluten-free and Weight Watchers friendly.
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🥘Ingredients
It's amazing how delicious the combination of only 4 little ingredients can be. You only need the following simple ingredients for this spinach and strawberry salad with pecans:
- 10 oz bag of fresh spinach or fresh baby spinach
- 1 pint of fresh strawberries
- ¾ cup pecan halves
- ⅓ cup red onion
🔪Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees/175 degrees C.
Add pecans in a single layer on a pie plate or baking sheet and roast for 5 to 10 minutes in preheated oven (you can line the baking sheet/plate with parchment paper.)
Stir or shake the pan occasionally so the nuts brown evenly without burning.
*NOTE: Do not walk away and leave this unattended- it will burn!
Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.
Serve with dressing of your choice (my favorite is Honey Lime Cilantro Dressing)
📖Variations & Substitutions
- Onions - you can use green onions instead of red onions
- Pecans - you can use candied pecans instead of toasted pecans or substitute shelled, raw sunflower seeds
- Add-ins- add grilled chicken breast or bacon and make it a meal!
- Strawberries - you could use a different kind of fresh fruit like blueberries
- Dressing -you can use any type of dressing you prefer (homemade or store-bought) such as simple balsamic dressing with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, a homemade poppy seed dressing, raspberry vinaigrette, or blue cheese, but I highly recommend Honey Lime Cilantro because it's such a great dressing to have with this salad
👪 Serving Size
This Spinach Pecan Strawberry Salad recipe makes 8 servings as a side salad. If you are serving it as a meal, it's about 6 servings and you're going to want to add a protein to it. However, you can half, double or triple the recipe by clicking on the serving number and selecting the number of servings you'd like. The ingredient quantities will automatically adjust.
🔢WW Points
This easy strawberry spinach salad recipe is Weight Watchers friendly 2 WW points. You will need to calculate the dressing you put on it separately. I recommend serving it as a meal with grilled chicken breast in the salad or on the side (0 points) and with Cloud bread (0 points)
🥗 Pairing
This fresh strawberry and spinach salad with pecans pairs so well with so many dishes!
🍽Equipment
You will need a sharp knife, a cutting board, and a large salad bowl for this spinach strawberry salad recipe. A salad spinner comes in handy too. *See recipe for recommended equipment links
🌡️Storage
Store this spinach strawberry salad in an airtight container, and store both the salad and dressing in separate containers, in the fridge for up to 2 days.
These ingredients don't stand up well to freezing.
🦺Food safety
- Wash vegetables and fruit before eating (even if it says pre-washed)!
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
❔ Frequently Asked Questions
Toasting raw pecans enhances the flavor of pecans, giving them a nuttier taste and aroma, as well as a golden brown color and welcome crunch!
This Strawberry Pecan Spinach salad is a real crowd pleaser and gets rave reviews from anyone who has tried it! It's the perfect summer salad and bound to become one of your favorite salads!
If you love spring salads, be sure to try my Asparagus and Tomato Salad!
⭐ COMMENTS & REVIEWS
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📋 Strawberry Spinach Pecan Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 10 oz bag of baby spinach washed
- ¾ cup pecans halves
- 1 lb container of strawberries washed, hulled and sliced in quarters
- ⅓ cup thinly sliced red onion
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees/175 degrees C.Add pecans in a single layer on a pie plate or baking sheet and roast for 5 to 10 minutes in preheated oven. You can line the baking sheet/plate with parchment paper.
- Mix the spinach, chopped red onion, sliced strawberries and toasted pecans together in a large bowl.
- Serve with your favorite salad dressing. I love Honey Lime Cilantro!
Terri Gilson
I love how this Strawberry Spinach and Pecan Salad combines simple ingredients to create something really special. The mix of sweet strawberries, fresh spinach, and toasted pecans is so good, especially with your Honey Lime Cilantro Dressing. I've served it as a side for Easter dinner and as a light lunch with grilled chicken!