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Fresh Strawberry Feta Spinach Salad Recipe with Easy Candied Pecans

fresh strawberry feta spinach salad - featured image
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A refreshing and satisfying spinach salad featuring fresh strawberries, tangy feta, and homemade candied pecans with a subtle cinnamon twist. Quick and easy to prepare, perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups fresh baby spinach (about 180g), washed and dried
  • 2 cups fresh strawberries (about 300g), hulled and sliced
  • ¾ cup crumbled feta cheese (about 100g), preferably creamy and tangy
  • 1 cup pecans (120g), roughly chopped
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
  • ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Candy the Pecans (10 minutes): In a medium skillet over low heat, melt the butter. Add the chopped pecans, sugar, and cinnamon. Stir constantly for about 5-7 minutes until the sugar melts and coats the pecans evenly. Be careful not to burn the sugar. Once coated and glossy, transfer pecans onto parchment paper to cool completely. They’ll harden as they cool, forming a perfect crunchy shell.
  2. Prepare the Salad Base (5 minutes): While pecans cool, place the washed spinach in a large bowl. Add sliced strawberries and thinly sliced red onions if using. Toss gently to combine but keep spinach leaves whole and crisp.
  3. Make the Dressing (3 minutes): In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper until emulsified. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  4. Assemble the Salad (2 minutes): Drizzle the dressing over the spinach mixture and toss lightly to coat. Sprinkle crumbled feta and cooled candied pecans on top. Give it one last gentle toss just before serving to keep the pecans crunchy.

Notes

Add candied pecans just before serving to maintain crunch. Pecans can be candied a day ahead and stored in an airtight container. Keep spinach dry before dressing to avoid sogginess. For dairy-free, omit feta or use plant-based cheese. Use maple syrup instead of honey for vegan version.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry salad, spinach salad, feta cheese, candied pecans, easy salad recipe, healthy salad, quick salad, summer salad

Find it online: https://juliamadeit.com/fresh-strawberry-feta-spinach-salad-recipe-with-easy-candied-pecans/