Sweet, tangy, savory, a tingle of Worcestershire and a hint of paprika. We loved this one and as far as I’m concerned, this is the only Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe you’ll ever need.
If you’re like me you’ve saved umpteen salad recipes for different greens and dressing combos in your database. I noticed that over the years that I had entered several versions of strawberry salads and spinach salad recipes without very good notes on which one I preferred. I’m sure they’re all very good, but I can never remember which one is the dead-ringer best.
This past weekend, with a flat of strawberries in my hand and a hankering for a strawberry salad, I decided to ditch the database and Google “Best Strawberry Salad”. Sure enough the top result included spinach and a predictable sweet, sour combination. With all ingredients on hand I prepared it for our dinner and I must say, move over puppies and babies, this salad “stole the show” and was star of the meal.
This best part about this recipe, is not only did I delete the five strawberry salad recipes that loitered my database, but it caused me to toss away some of the other combos that just didn’t measure up to greatness. No riff raff salad clutter remains, only the outstanding and this being number one.
Recipe for Strawberry Spinach Salad
I found this over at Allrecipes and every single reviewer sang it’s praises. Sweet, tangy, savory, a tingle of Worcestershire and a hint of paprika. We loved this one and as far as I’m concerned, this is the only Strawberry Salad you’ll ever need.
Love those spinach salads? You won’t want to miss this Crunchy Spinach Salad with Bacon. It’s a good one. And if you’re looking to add more berries to your salads, take a look at this Warm Chanterelle and Berry Salad with Cheddar.
- 1 clove garlic fine diced, or pressed through a garlic press
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon poppy seed
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon minced onion
- 10 ounces fresh spinach or spinach and field green mix - rinsed, dried and torn into bite-size pieces
- 1 quart strawberries - cleaned hulled and sliced
- 1/4 cup almonds blanched and slivered
Place garlic in a salad bowl. Rub garlic into the bottom and sides of the bowl.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the sesame seeds, poppy seeds, sugar, olive oil, vinegar, paprika, Worcestershire sauce and onion. Cover, and chill for one hour.
Place the spinach into the garlic rubbed bowl. Pour the dressing over salad, and toss until well coated. Sprinkle on the strawberries and almonds.. Refrigerate 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
- PREP 10 mins
- READY IN 1 hr 10 mins
Looking for more Spinach Salad ideas? How about this hot version:
Grilled Chicken Wilted Salad
Strawberry Spinach Salad … It’s what’s for a Side Dish.
Abbe@This is How I Cook says
June 26, 2014 at 3:53 pmWell, this sounds strawberrylicious to me. I just might throw in some feta or goat cheese to make it my whole meal! Thanks Lea Ann!
Lea Ann Brown says
June 28, 2014 at 6:31 amLove the strawberrylicious! And the addition of goat cheese. That’s exactly what I thought about this salad, a good base for lots of additions.
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen says
June 26, 2014 at 3:53 pmHow pretty and beautifully presented. I love strawberries no matter how they are presented.
Sam
Lea Ann Brown says
June 28, 2014 at 6:30 amI agree with that Sam. 🙂
Karen Harris says
June 26, 2014 at 3:56 pmThis reminds me of a salad that I love to make it the summer that is made with a honey mustard dressing and lots of strawberries, red onion, bacon and Parmesan. I think I’m going to have to go buy some strawberries. Now I’m hungry! This looks so good.
Lea Ann Brown says
June 28, 2014 at 6:30 amNext time I make this it will include bacon. ok, now I’m officially hungry.
Holly says
June 26, 2014 at 8:27 pmOh I have a Costco sized portion of strawberries in the kitchen now. This salad would be a great way to start to use them. Thanks, Lea Ann!
Lea Ann Brown says
June 28, 2014 at 6:29 amThat same flat of strawberries from Costco is exactly what inspired me to Google for this recipe. Enjoy!
Jaime, the German granddaughter says
June 27, 2014 at 7:01 amI have all the ingredients for this also I will try it tonight -Strawberry Fields forever!!
Lea Ann Brown says
June 28, 2014 at 6:28 amLet me know what you think Jaime. We loved the recipe.
Debra says
June 27, 2014 at 4:30 pmDefinitely pinning this. I think I need to start a “absolute best” board.
Lea Ann Brown says
June 28, 2014 at 6:28 amIt’s a good one to Pin Debra. And thanks for that. 🙂
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
June 28, 2014 at 7:15 pmHoly cow, this DOES sound delicious and your photographs only convince me further. It’s just beginning strawberry season up here in the north of Australia and I’ll make this today!
cheri says
June 29, 2014 at 8:30 pmGood looking salad Lee Ann, love the addition of the Worcestershire sauce.
Pat says
June 30, 2014 at 12:36 amDelicious! Spinach and strawberry salad is always a winner. Thanks for sharing, I like all the goodness of the seeds. 🙂
Roz says
June 30, 2014 at 11:57 amWow, what an endorsement for ‘the best’ strawberry salad. I’ve got to make this soon! Strawberry salads are one of my favorites! Thanks for sharing and your photography is AMAZING, Lea Ann!
xo
Roz
Susan says
June 30, 2014 at 1:08 pmWe love strawberry salad here and I don’t know if I could ever stray from our favorite although this one sounds similar in many respects. Those are some beautiful looking berries too!
Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti says
July 1, 2014 at 12:27 amI like the idea of using Worcestershire sauce instead of the usual balsamic vinegar! It sounds fabulous!
John@Kitchen Riffs says
July 2, 2014 at 2:57 pmThis really does look good! Up until now, my favorite strawberry salad recipe included roast strawberries. But this one looks like a contender! Really good — thanks.
Rocky Mountain Woman says
July 3, 2014 at 3:49 pmThat looks so good! We must be working on the same wave length because I’ve been making berry salads this week!
Heather says
July 7, 2014 at 9:26 amStrawberries on a salad make me happy. Beautiful photos! 🙂
Lea Ann Brown says
July 12, 2014 at 5:50 amMe too Heather! 🙂
Chris says
July 9, 2014 at 8:19 amThis sounds like a great way to use up those summer strawberries. Light and fresh! I like it except sometimes when I eat fresh spinach raw, I get that weird crystalline feeling on the surface of my teeth, ever get that?
You know how Wendy’s is selling their Strawberry Fields salad for “a limited time only” – someone put a picture of that up online and said “The Beatles lied”. I split a gut laughing at that.
Lea Ann Brown says
July 12, 2014 at 5:45 amWell no, but now that you mention it I probably will!!! 🙂
Vickie says
July 12, 2014 at 8:31 pmHaha – last year we decided to landscape the hill with strawberries since they’re prolific growers and spread so easily. This salad will come in handy.
Lea Ann Brown says
July 14, 2014 at 5:47 amThe crowds raved over this salad. It seems to be perfect in every way.