Zesty Berry Spinach Salad Recipe: Pecans, Feta & Balsamic Bliss

Summer’s heat calls for a delightful berry spinach salad that bursts with unexpected flavor combinations.

Crisp green leaves provide a lush foundation for sweet, juicy berries dancing across the plate.

Crumbled feta adds a tangy punch while toasted pecans contribute delightful crunch and nutty depth.

Vibrant colors make this dish as visually appealing as it is delicious.

Balsamic glaze drizzled with care creates a glossy, rich finish that ties everything together.

Fresh ingredients sing when combined with thoughtful technique and playful imagination.

Pack this salad for a picnic or serve as an elegant starter that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Reasons Everyone Enjoys Berry Spinach Salad

• Craft a Quick Colorful Meal: Effortlessly combine vibrant ingredients for a stunning salad that comes together in minutes.
• Boost Nutritional Power: Packed with spinach, berries, and nuts, this dish delivers a powerful punch of vitamins, antioxidants, and healthy fats.
• Impress Without Stress: Create a restaurant-quality salad without complicated techniques, perfect for busy home cooks wanting a gourmet touch.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Suitable for lunch, dinner, potlucks, or as a side dish that appeals to both health-conscious and flavor-loving guests.

Berry Spinach Salad with Pecans, Feta, and Glaze – What’s Needed

• Spinach: Fresh, tender leaves provide a nutritious and vibrant base for the salad, packed with minerals and a mild earthy flavor.

• Strawberries, Blueberries: Sweet and juicy berries that add bright colors, natural sweetness, and antioxidant-rich nutrients to the salad.

• Feta: Tangy, crumbly cheese that adds a salty and creamy element to balance the sweet berries.
• Pecans: Toasted nuts that bring a rich, buttery crunch and provide healthy fats and protein to the dish.

• Balsamic Glaze: Thick, sweet-tangy reduction that enhances the overall flavor profile and adds a glossy, elegant finish to the salad.

Assembling Berry Spinach Salad with Pecans & Feta

Step 1: Prepare Vibrant Salad Base

Spread crisp spinach leaves across a spacious serving platter, creating a lush green foundation for your delightful berry creation.

Step 2: Scatter Fresh Berries

Artfully distribute sliced strawberries and whole blueberries over the spinach, ensuring an even and colorful coverage that promises a burst of sweet flavor.

Step 3: Sprinkle Creamy Cheese

Generously crumble tangy feta cheese across the salad, allowing delicate white fragments to contrast beautifully with the green and red hues.

Step 4: Add Crunchy Nuts

Tumble toasted pecans over the salad, introducing a rich, golden-brown texture that provides a satisfying crunch with every bite.

Step 5: Drizzle Luxurious Glaze

Gracefully stream balsamic glaze across the salad, creating elegant dark ribbons that will enhance the overall taste profile and visual appeal.

Step 6: Final Tossing

Gently combine all ingredients with light, sweeping motions if desired, or keep the layers distinct for a stunning presentation that showcases each ingredient’s unique character.

Salad Building Tips with Balsamic, Feta, and Berries

• Rinse spinach leaves thoroughly under cold water and pat dry with paper towels to ensure crisp, clean texture for your salad.
• Dry-roast pecans in a skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning and enhance their rich, nutty flavor.
• Wash strawberries and blueberries right before assembling the salad to maintain their freshness and prevent premature softening.
• Use a squeeze bottle or spoon to create elegant, controlled lines of balsamic glaze across the salad for balanced flavor and beautiful presentation.
• Swap feta with dairy-free cheese alternatives or omit for a vegan version, ensuring everyone can enjoy this delicious and nutritious salad.

Store Berry Spinach Salad with Pecans & Feta

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep feta and pecans separate to maintain their texture.
• Pack wet and dry ingredients individually to prevent soggy spinach and maintain crispness.
• Before enjoying leftovers, gently toss the salad and add fresh pecans for extra crunch.
• Do not freeze this salad, as spinach and berries will lose their texture and become mushy.

Best Sides for Berry Spinach Salad

• Pair Wine with Berry Salad: Choose a crisp, light white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the fresh berry and spinach flavors without overpowering the delicate ingredients.
• Match Sparkling Beverage: Select a refreshing sparkling rosé or elderflower spritzer that enhances the fruity notes and provides a bright, effervescent contrast to the salad's richness.
• Create Protein Companion: Serve alongside grilled chicken breast or seared salmon to transform the salad into a complete, balanced meal with added protein and complementary textures.
• Boost Meal Experience: Include a slice of crusty sourdough bread or herbed focaccia to provide a crunchy element that soaks up the balsamic glaze and adds another dimension to the dining experience.

Salad Ingredient Combinations to Try

• Vegan Berry Bliss: Replace feta with vegan cashew cheese and use maple syrup instead of balsamic glaze for a plant-based friendly version.
• Gluten-Free Garden Salad: Swap pecans with pumpkin seeds for those with nut allergies and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Protein Power Bowl: Add grilled chicken or tofu strips for extra protein, creating a more substantial meal that keeps you energized throughout the day.
• Low-Carb Green Feast: Reduce berries, increase spinach quantity, and use a sugar-free balsamic reduction to make this salad more keto-friendly.

FAQs

• Why should I toast the pecans?

Toasting pecans enhances their natural nutty flavor and creates a deeper, richer taste that adds more complexity to the salad.

• Can I use different types of berries?

Absolutely! You can swap strawberries and blueberries with raspberries, blackberries, or a mix of seasonal berries to create variety and keep the salad interesting.

• Is this salad healthy?

Yes, this salad is packed with nutrients. Spinach provides iron and vitamins, berries offer antioxidants, pecans contribute healthy fats, and feta cheese adds protein.

• How can I make this salad more filling?

Consider adding grilled chicken, sliced almonds, or quinoa to increase the protein content and make the salad more substantial as a complete meal.

Berry Spinach Salad With Pecans, Feta, And Balsamic Glaze Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Summer’s refreshing berry spinach salad marries sweet and tangy flavors with creamy feta and crunchy pecans. Balsamic glaze drizzled over crisp spinach leaves creates a delightful Mediterranean-inspired dish you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Greens:

• 6 cups (1.4 liters) fresh spinach leaves

Fruits:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) fresh strawberries, sliced
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) fresh blueberries

Toppings and Dressing:

• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) crumbled feta cheese
• 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) pecans, toasted
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) balsamic glaze

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Create a lush foundation of vibrant spinach leaves in a spacious salad vessel.
2. Artfully distribute sliced strawberries and plump blueberries across the verdant greens, ensuring even coverage.
3. Delicately scatter crumbled feta cheese, allowing the white fragments to contrast against the emerald backdrop.
4. Elevate the salad’s texture by sprinkling golden-brown toasted pecans, which will provide a satisfying crunch.
5. Moments before presentation, elegantly drizzle the rich balsamic glaze in graceful, sweeping motions.
6. Optional: Gently intermingle the ingredients with a light tossing technique to marry the flavors, or preserve the salad’s visual appeal by leaving the ingredients beautifully layered.

Notes

• Toast pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat to enhance their rich, nutty flavor and prevent burning.
• Opt for baby spinach leaves for a more tender texture and milder taste compared to mature spinach.
• Customize the salad by swapping feta with goat cheese for a tangier profile or using a dairy-free alternative.
• Prepare the balsamic glaze ahead of time and store in the refrigerator to save time during meal preparation.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 320 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg