Spinach and Berry Salad Bowl (Printable)

Tender spinach meets juicy berries, goat cheese, nuts, and a tangy vinaigrette in this fresh vibrant salad.

# What You Need:

→ 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

# How-To Steps:

01 - Wash and dry the spinach leaves and berries thoroughly.
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, then toss gently to combine and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in 15 minutes flat, which means you can have lunch ready before you finish your coffee.
  • The combination of creamy goat cheese and tart berries creates this magic moment on your palate that never gets old.
  • It's naturally vegetarian and gluten-free, so you're not sacrificing anything by choosing to eat it.
02 -
  • Never dress a salad more than a few minutes before eating it; I learned this the hard way when I prepped a salad for lunch and came back to find wilted spinach and soggy texture.
  • Toasting your own nuts makes an enormous difference in flavor and crunch—store-bought toasted nuts are convenient, but toasting raw ones for five minutes in a dry skillet elevates the entire dish.
03 -
  • Keep your salad bowl in the refrigerator before assembling so the spinach stays crisp and the goat cheese doesn't warm up too quickly.
  • If you're making this for a crowd, dress the salad in the bowl rather than in individual plates—it feels more casual and lets people see exactly what's going into their meal.
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