Get ready to meet your new go-to summer favorite: Strawberry Crunch Salad! This dish is an explosion of vibrant colors and textures, loaded with juicy strawberries, fresh baby spinach, candied pecans, tangy feta, sharp red onion, and a satisfying bite from crunchy granola or pretzels. Drizzled with a quick homemade balsamic dressing, every forkful feels bright, balanced, and so full of flavor. Whether you’re hosting a sunny picnic, packing lunch, or craving something refreshingly crisp, this salad has you covered.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of simple, wholesome ingredients to create this masterpiece. Each one plays its own part, bringing contrast, flavor, and personality to the Strawberry Crunch Salad—don’t skip a thing!
- Fresh baby spinach: Tender, mildly sweet greens form the perfect base and keep the salad feeling light.
- Fresh strawberries, sliced: Their juicy sweetness takes center stage and pairs beautifully with savory elements.
- Candied pecans or walnuts: A toasty, caramelized crunch that adds decadence and a bit of sweetness.
- Red onion, thinly sliced: Just a touch provides a zippy bite that balances the fruit and cheese.
- Feta cheese, crumbled: Creamy, tangy, and salty—bringing depth and richness to every mouthful.
- Crunchy granola or crushed pretzels: The not-so-secret surprise for an irresistible crunch right before serving!
- Olive oil: The silky base for your homemade dressing.
- Balsamic vinegar: Adds a mellow tang that marries all the flavors together.
- Honey: Rounds out the acidity of the vinegar and makes everything sing.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential seasonings to bring out the natural flavors in every ingredient.
How to Make Strawberry Crunch Salad
Step 1: Prepare the Salad Base
Begin by filling a large salad bowl with the fresh baby spinach. Layer the sliced strawberries over the top, then sprinkle in the thinly sliced red onions, candied pecans or walnuts, and crumbled feta. The colorful assembly already starts to look like a work of art!
Step 2: Whisk the Dressing
In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, a pinch of salt, and some black pepper. Whisk everything together until the dressing looks glossy and well combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed; you want a delightful balance of sweet and tangy.
Step 3: Dress and Toss
Drizzle the freshly whisked dressing over your salad base. Gently toss everything together using big salad servers or your hands, making sure the leaves are lightly coated but not soggy. The goal is to keep the vibrant colors and distinct layers intact!
Step 4: Add the Crunch
Just before serving (and this is key for the best texture), scatter the crunchy granola or crushed pretzels over the top of your Strawberry Crunch Salad. This final touch delivers the signature bite that makes every forkful irresistibly good.
How to Serve Strawberry Crunch Salad
Garnishes
For an extra pop of color, add a few whole strawberries or a sprinkle of fresh herbs like mint or basil on top. A quick zest of lemon is also fantastic if you love a little citrus brightness with your greens.
Side Dishes
Strawberry Crunch Salad shines alongside simple grilled chicken, roasted salmon, or a wedge of crusty bread. If you’re keeping it vegetarian, a bowl of quinoa or a summery soup pairs beautifully, making lunch or dinner feel special yet effortless.
Creative Ways to Present
Try assembling your salad in individual mason jars for picnics or meal prepping. For gatherings, serve it in a wide, shallow platter to show off the colors, or build layered salad cups for a fun party starter—everyone will love the bite-sized bursts of crunch and flavor!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftover Strawberry Crunch Salad, store it in an airtight container in the fridge. For best texture, keep the crunchy toppings separate and add them just before you dig in to prevent any sogginess.
Freezing
Freezing isn’t recommended for this salad, as both leafy greens and fresh strawberries can lose their appealing texture once thawed. For the freshest experience, enjoy your salad within a couple days of making it.
Reheating
Strawberry Crunch Salad is meant to be enjoyed cold or at room temperature—no reheating needed! If you’ve dressed the salad in advance, just give it a gentle toss before serving, and refresh with a few extra strawberries or a sprinkle of cheese if desired.
FAQs
Can I make the Strawberry Crunch Salad ahead of time?
Partially, yes! Assemble the spinach, strawberries, red onion, nuts, and feta cheese ahead, and keep the dressing and crunchy topping separate. Toss everything together just before serving to preserve that fabulous crunch.
What other dressings work well with this salad?
A poppy seed dressing or a tangy raspberry vinaigrette are both delicious alternatives—play around and find your favorite! The natural sweetness of strawberries pairs well with almost any zippy, slightly sweet vinaigrette.
What proteins can I add to make this salad a meal?
Grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon work beautifully, and cooked quinoa or chickpeas are wonderful vegetarian additions. Each protein brings its own character, bulking up the salad without overpowering the fresh flavors.
Can I use different cheeses instead of feta?
Absolutely! Goat cheese or ricotta salata are creamy and tangy options that blend well with the fruit and nuts. A mild blue cheese or shaved parmesan can also give the salad a rich, distinctive edge.
What can I substitute for strawberries if they’re out of season?
Raspberries, blueberries, sliced apples, or even orange segments can all bring a fresh brightness to the mix, keeping your Crunch Salad exciting through every season.
Final Thoughts
Now that you’ve got all the secrets, I can’t wait for you to try this Strawberry Crunch Salad for yourself. It’s a breeze to make but feels like a little celebration in a bowl. Here’s to more vibrant, flavor-packed salads and happy hearts at your table!
Print
Strawberry Crunch Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A delightful and refreshing Strawberry Crunch Salad that combines the freshness of baby spinach and strawberries with the crunch of candied pecans and granola, all tossed in a simple balsamic dressing.
Ingredients
Salad:
- 6 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1/3 cup candied pecans or walnuts
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup crunchy granola or crushed pretzels
Dressing:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Salad: Combine spinach, strawberries, red onion, pecans, and feta cheese in a large bowl.
- Make Dressing: Whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Combine: Drizzle dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat.
- Finish: Before serving, add granola or pretzels on top for extra crunch. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra protein, consider adding grilled chicken or quinoa.
- Try goat cheese instead of feta for a creamier taste.
- Swap granola with honey-roasted almonds for a sweeter flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
