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Strawberry Spinach Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette

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If you're into sweet, tangy, and absolutely irresistible; this Strawberry Spinach Salad is the one you need to be making! Made with fresh baby spinach, juicy strawberries, fluffy quinoa, and homemade crunchy maple-candied pecans, this salad is tossed in a luscious, oil-free Strawberry Vinaigrette made with St. Dalfour Strawberry Jam. This salad is the perfect way to say hello to Spring with the perfect mix of texture and flavor. Light yet satisfying, this salad is ideal for lunch, a side dish, or a bright, refreshing meal for any occasion.
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Strawberry Spinach Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette

Spring has officially sprung – as of today and what better way to usher in the new season than with a bright, fresh and vibrant spring salad! This Strawberry Spinach Salad is what happens when fresh meets a little sweet, a little crunch, and a whole lot of goodness. The star of this amazing spring salad? A luscious, oil-free, totally sugar-free strawberry vinaigrette made with St. Dalfour strawberry jam, aka the best jam on the planet.

St. Dalfour is made with no added sugar or preservatives, just pure, fruity perfection. Toss it with fluffy quinoa, juicy strawberries, crisp spinach, and my magic maple-candied pecans (which are also sugar-free and oil-free, but you’d never guess). It’s fresh, light, and bursting with flavor—basically, summer in a bowl, no matter the season, and perfect for kicking off the first day of spring! Whether you’re making this for a spring picnic, a light and fresh lunch, or a beautiful side dish for dinner, this strawberry spinach salad is as delicious as it is easy to make. Grab your St. Dalfour strawberry jam and get ready to toss up a bowl of pure, plant-based goodness!

baby spinach leaves on a wooden cutting board

Strawberry Spinach Salad Ingredients

This spinach and strawberry salad is made with fresh, simple ingredients that come together in minutes:

  • Baby spinach: A mild, tender green that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the strawberries. Feel free to use whatever you have on hand, mix greens or kale!
  • Quinoa: Adds a fluffy, slightly nutty texture while packing in plant-based protein. Adding quinoa to any salad easily takes it from simple to satiating.
  • Fresh strawberries: Juicy and naturally sweet, they add the perfect pop of flavor.
  • Avocado: Creamy and rich, balancing out the tangy vinaigrette.
  • Red onion: Provides a sharp contrast to the sweetness of the other ingredients.
  • Dairy-free ricotta: Adds a light, creamy element for extra indulgence. Dairy free goat cheese or feta would also work great on this salad.
Fresh strawberries and sliced strawberries on a wooden board
cooked quinoa in a small clear glass bowl

Strawberry Vinaigrette Ingredients

This strawberry vinaigrette recipe is oil-free, refined sugar-free, and bursting with fresh fruit flavor. You only need a handful of ingredients to make it:

  • St. Dalfour strawberry jam: Made with 100% fruit, no added sugar, and no preservatives; and my all-time favorite jam company for those exact reasons!
  • Tahini or olive oil: Tahini makes the dressing a little more creamy and luscious while olive oil is traditional to a vinaigrette.
  • Maple syrup: Naturally sweetens the vinaigrette while keeping it refined sugar-free.
  • Apple cider vinegar: Balances the sweetness with a bright, tangy kick. You could also use balsamic or red wine vinegar, however, this will alter the flavor so test while mixing!

Maple Candied Pecans Ingredients

Adding homemade candied pecans takes this salad to restaurant status! They are easy to make and compliment all the other flavors.

  • Pecans: Provide a rich, buttery crunch that adds texture to the salad.
  • Maple Syrup: Naturally sweetens and caramelizes the pecans for a glossy finish.
  • Coconut Sugar: Enhances caramelization with a deep, rich flavor.

How to Make a Strawberry Spinach Salad

Making this strawberry and spinach salad is quick and easy!

How to Make Strawberry Vinaigrette

While your quinoa is cooking you’ll want to prepare your Strawberry Vinaigrette dressing. This strawberry salad dressing is incredibly easy to make and completely oil-free! Add all ingredients, St. Dalfour strawberry jam, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, tahini or olive oil, and salt to a blender. Blend until completely smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. If a thinner consistency is desired, add water 1 tablespoon at a time.

Make the candied pecans

Toast the pecans in a skillet, then coat them in maple syrup, coconut sugar, and sea salt until caramelized. Spread onto parchment paper to cool.

Assemble the salad

Once everything is ready, it’s time to assemble! Add the baby spinach, cooled quinoa, strawberries, avocado, red onion, and ricotta to a large serving bowl.

Dress and serve

Drizzle with strawberry vinaigrette, toss, and enjoy immediately!

What to Serve with Strawberry Salad

This Strawberry Spinach Salad is wonderful all on its own for a light and delicious meal. The quinoa really makes things a little heartier while still keeping the light and spring touch. If you want to, this salad pairs beautifully with grilled tofu or tempeh adds a boost of plant-based protein, creating a well-rounded and satisfying dish. A crusty baguette is perfect for soaking up the extra strawberry vinaigrette, adding a satisfying crunch. To complete the experience, might I suggest a Strawberry Rosé Margarita? Whatever you choose to serve with this strawberry salad – know that everyone will be reaching for seconds!

How to Store Leftover Strawberry Spinach Salad

This salad is best enjoyed fresh, but you can prepare certain components ahead of time for convenience. The strawberry vinaigrette can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. The candied pecans can be kept in a sealed jar at room temperature for up to a week, maintaining their crunch. If assembling the salad in advance, wait to add the dressing and avocado until just before serving to keep the greens crisp and the avocado fresh.

Is Strawberry Vinaigrette Healthy?

Yes! Unlike store-bought dressings loaded with refined sugar and oils, this strawberry vinaigrette recipe is simple. It’s made with pure fruit, natural sweeteners, and no preservatives! Thanks to St. Dalfour, the strawberry flavors are completely natural, oil-free, refined sugar-free, and packed with antioxidants! Making your own salad dressing is easy and always the best option if you want it to be healthy.

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Spinach Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette

Whether you’re looking for a light spring lunch, a refreshing summer side dish, or a healthy meal prep option, this spinach and strawberry salad is the perfect choice. Plus, the St. Dalfour strawberry vinaigrette takes it to the next level with its rich, fruity flavor—without any added sugar or artificial ingredients. There is no reason to dislike this salad unless of course, you’re not a fan of strawberries! Everyone at the table will be pleased with its vibrance, presentation and taste. 

Did You Make This Recipe?

If you tried this strawberry spinach salad with strawberry vinaigrette? Let me know in the comments and don’t forget to try these delicious salads next:

Mediterranean Lentil Pomegranate Chopped Salad

Roasted Cauliflower Chickpea Salad

Spinach Salad with Strawberry Rhubarb Vinaigrette

Jackie Akerberg

Author of the Clean Vegan Cookbook, Food Blogger and Recipe Developer from Des Moines, Iowa. 

Jackfruitful Kitchen has proudly been featured in Forks Over Knives, Vegan Bowls, Vegan Food and Living, and DSM Magazine.

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Spinach salad with strawberries, avocado, quinoa, pecans, feta, and strawberry dressing
Jackie Akerberg

Strawberry Spinach Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette

5 from 2 votes
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If you're into sweet, tangy, and absolutely irresistible; this Strawberry Spinach Salad is the one you need to be making! Made with fresh baby spinach, juicy strawberries, fluffy quinoa, and homemade crunchy maple-candied pecans, this salad is tossed in a luscious, oil-free Strawberry Vinaigrette made with St. Dalfour Strawberry Jam. This salad is the perfect way to say hello to Spring with the perfect mix of texture and flavor. Light yet satisfying, this salad is ideal for lunch, a side dish, or a bright, refreshing meal for any occasion.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Calories: 397

Equipment

Ingredients
  

Strawberry Vinaigrette Ingredients
Maple Candied Pecans
  • 1 cup pecans, chopped
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp coconut sugar
  • ½ tsp sea salt
Salad Ingredients
  • 10 oz baby spinach
  • ½ cup quinoa, cooked and cooled
  • 16 oz strawberries, sliced
  • 1 avocado, sliced
  • ¼ red onion, thinly sliced*
  • ¼ cup dairy-free ricotta

Method
 

  1. Prepare dressing by adding all ingredients to a blender and pureeing until smooth and creamy. Season to taste with a pinch of salt, or added maple syrup. For a thinner dressing, add 1 tbsp of water at a time until desired consistency is reached.
  2. Next, prepare the pecans by warming a medium nonstick or cast iron skillet over medium low heat. Toast the pecans for about 5 minutes until fragrant, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Add in the maple syrup, coconut sugar and salt and stir until caramelized. Immediately transfer to a piece of parchment paper to cool.
  3. Assemble salad by adding the spinach to a large serving bowl and topping with quinoa, strawberries, avocado, red onion, pecans and ricotta. Drizzle with dressing and toss right before serving.

Notes

*To make the raw onion less pungent, soak the slices in cool water for at least 5 minutes, drain, and then add to salad.

Nutrition

Serving 1servingCalories 397kcalCarbohydrates 44gProtein 8gFat 23gSaturated Fat 3gPolyunsaturated Fat 7gMonounsaturated Fat 12gSodium 263mgPotassium 770mgFiber 8gSugar 23gVitamin A 4505IUVitamin C 62mgCalcium 108mgIron 3mg

*Macros are provided as an estimate for convenience. Your final numbers will vary depending on ingredient brands, substitutions, and how you portion the recipe.

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3 Responses

  1. 5 stars
    Absolutely delicious! I’ve made it for several different dinner parties and everyone always loves it. The dressing is amazing, I highly recommend this salad!

    Reply

    1. Hi Amy! So so so happy you enjoyed this recipe and everyone enjoyed it 🙂 I love that you are spreading the love through dinner parties!! Thank you so much for taking the time to rate and review!

      Reply

  2. 5 stars
    This was incredible. Made this for a party and people raved. I loved having healthier candied pecans and the dressing is so much better than bought or even what you’d get at a restaurant. Will be making this on repeat!

    Reply
5 from 2 votes

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