Berry Spinach Salad with Pecans, Feta, and Balsamic Glaze Recipe
If you’re searching for a vibrant, crowd-pleasing dish, look no further than the Berry Spinach Salad with Pecans, Feta, and Balsamic Glaze. This salad is a joyful celebration of color, flavor, and texture—sweet berries, crunchy pecans, creamy feta, and a luxurious balsamic drizzle all join forces atop a bed of tender spinach. It’s quick, fresh, and so stunning that everyone will reach for seconds (and quite possibly the recipe too!). Whether you want to impress guests or simply treat yourself, this is the salad that feels like summer in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes the Berry Spinach Salad with Pecans, Feta, and Balsamic Glaze so irresistible is the beautiful interplay of simple ingredients. Each brings something special to the table, whether it’s flavor, color, or crunch—you truly don’t need anything extra to let these flavors shine.
- Baby spinach: The tender, mild greens create the perfect fresh base and contrast the sweet and savory toppings.
- Fresh strawberries (sliced): Their juicy sweetness gives this salad its signature flair—opt for berries that are ripe but still firm.
- Fresh blueberries: Plump and wonderfully juicy, they burst with flavor in each bite.
- Fresh raspberries: These beauties add a lovely tang and pop of red, making every bite more colorful.
- Crumbled feta cheese: Feta brings a salty, creamy punch that mingles beautifully with both fruit and greens.
- Toasted pecans (halves or roughly chopped): Toasting brings out their buttery richness and adds irresistible crunch.
- Red onion (thinly sliced): A little sharpness for balance—just a scattering goes a long way.
- Balsamic glaze: Syrupy, tangy-sweet, and glossy, this finishing touch pulls all the flavors together spectacularly.
How to Make Berry Spinach Salad with Pecans, Feta, and Balsamic Glaze
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
Get started by washing and drying your baby spinach and all the berries. Slice your strawberries and red onion thinly. Taking a few extra seconds to dry your spinach and berries prevents a soggy salad and helps all those lovely flavors stick to each leaf and berry.
Step 2: Toast the Pecans
To make your pecans extra nutty and crisp, toss them into a dry skillet over medium heat. Stir frequently for around 4–5 minutes until they’re fragrant and just beginning to darken. Immediately remove them from the heat to avoid burning, then set aside to cool while you build your salad.
Step 3: Assemble the Salad
In a large, roomy salad bowl, add your baby spinach first, followed by strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, crumbled feta, toasted pecans, and red onion. Gently toss everything together with clean hands or salad tongs until the mix looks evenly distributed—but don’t overmix or you’ll bruise the tender berries and greens.
Step 4: Drizzle and Finish
Right before serving, generously drizzle your balsamic glaze all over the top of your Berry Spinach Salad with Pecans, Feta, and Balsamic Glaze. That thick, tangy-sweet syrup will catch in every crevice, making the flavors sing. Toss very gently once or twice if you like, and get ready to enjoy!
How to Serve Berry Spinach Salad with Pecans, Feta, and Balsamic Glaze
Garnishes
This salad looks stunning as-is, but you can take it to the next level by adding a few extra touches. Try a final flurry of extra feta, a handful of microgreens, or an extra drizzle of balsamic glaze for maximum shine and depth. A few mint leaves also look gorgeous and add cool freshness in every bite.
Side Dishes
The Berry Spinach Salad with Pecans, Feta, and Balsamic Glaze is wonderfully versatile. Pair it with grilled chicken, salmon, or shrimp for a heartier meal, or serve alongside a fresh baguette and some sparkling water for a delightfully light lunch. It also plays beautifully with summery grain salads or a simple soup.
Creative Ways to Present
To wow a crowd, try assembling the salad on a large platter, artistically arranging the berries, feta, and pecans for maximum visual impact. For picnics or party apps, serve in individual cups or jars. Even a simple family dinner feels like a celebration with a dramatic, colorful salad centerpiece!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, transfer your Berry Spinach Salad with Pecans, Feta, and Balsamic Glaze into an airtight container. It keeps best if undressed, as spinach tends to wilt after sitting with glaze, so store the balsamic separately when possible. Enjoy within 24 hours for maximum freshness and texture.
Freezing
Salads like this one are best enjoyed fresh—freezing is not recommended. The berries and spinach will lose their texture and release too much liquid once thawed, changing the salad’s delightful crispness into something rather soggy and lackluster.
Reheating
Since this salad is meant to be enjoyed cold or at room temperature, reheating isn’t necessary. If you want to bring out extra flavor in stored leftovers, just give the salad a gentle toss and add a splash more balsamic glaze before serving to revive the freshness.
FAQs
Can I substitute the feta cheese with something else?
Absolutely! Goat cheese is a fantastic swap if you want an even creamier, slightly tangier note. If you prefer a milder flavor, crumbled ricotta salata or even a little shredded mozzarella works well, though the salty punch of feta really makes the Berry Spinach Salad with Pecans, Feta, and Balsamic Glaze stand out.
What is balsamic glaze, and can I use balsamic vinegar instead?
Balsamic glaze is a reduced syrup made from balsamic vinegar and a touch of sweetness. It’s thicker and sweeter than straight vinegar, which is quite sharp. If you only have regular balsamic vinegar, you can simmer it gently with a bit of honey or sugar to create a quick homemade glaze—just let it cool before drizzling!
How can I turn this salad into a complete meal?
Simply add protein! Grilled or baked chicken, cooked shrimp, sliced steak, or even white beans all taste amazing alongside the classic flavors of Berry Spinach Salad with Pecans, Feta, and Balsamic Glaze. A mixture of grains, like quinoa or farro, also makes for a satisfying, nutrient-dense bowl.
Can I use frozen berries instead of fresh?
Fresh berries are definitely ideal here, bringing the best texture and sweetness. Frozen berries tend to release extra moisture and lose their structure once thawed, often making the salad watery. If fresh isn’t available, thaw the berries thoroughly and drain well before using, but expect a softer bite.
Is this salad suitable for people with dietary restrictions?
Berry Spinach Salad with Pecans, Feta, and Balsamic Glaze is naturally vegetarian and gluten-free, and you can opt for dairy-free feta alternatives and omit the nuts for allergies. Just double-check your balsamic glaze and cheese for any hidden additives if strict dietary needs are a concern.
Final Thoughts
Trust me, once you try the Berry Spinach Salad with Pecans, Feta, and Balsamic Glaze, you’ll want to make it again and again—whether for a quick weeknight dinner or a show-stopping addition to your next gathering. It’s healthy, beautiful, and so fabulously flavorful. Give it a try and let your taste buds celebrate!
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Berry Spinach Salad with Pecans, Feta, and Balsamic Glaze Recipe
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Description
This Berry Spinach Salad with Pecans, Feta, and Balsamic Glaze is a refreshing and flavorful mix of fresh berries, crunchy pecans, tangy feta cheese, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze over a bed of baby spinach. It’s a perfect light and nutritious salad for any occasion.
Ingredients
Baby Spinach:
6 cups
Fresh Strawberries (sliced):
1 cup
Fresh Blueberries:
½ cup
Fresh Raspberries:
½ cup
Crumbled Feta Cheese:
⅓ cup
Toasted Pecans (halves or roughly chopped):
⅓ cup
Red Onion (thinly sliced):
2 tablespoons
Balsamic Glaze:
2 tablespoons
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large salad bowl, combine the baby spinach, sliced strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, feta cheese, toasted pecans, and red onion. Gently toss to distribute the ingredients evenly.
- Drizzle with Balsamic Glaze: Drizzle the balsamic glaze over the top just before serving.
- Serve: Serve immediately.
Notes
- To toast pecans, place them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 4–5 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add grilled chicken to make it a full meal.
- Goat cheese can be used in place of feta, and any mix of berries works well.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
