Flavorful Strawberry Spinach Salad with Bacon

Finding a fresh salad that’s filling enough to be a complete meal can feel like quite the challenge. Between juggling work deadlines and family commitments, it’s tempting to fall back on the same old lunch options that leave you feeling sluggish by mid-afternoon.

That’s why this strawberry spinach salad with bacon has become my go-to solution: it’s quick to throw together, satisfies both sweet and savory cravings, and keeps you energized throughout the day. Plus, it’s the kind of salad that makes everyone at the table happy – even those who usually turn their nose up at “just a salad” for lunch.

What Kind of Spinach Should I Use?

For this salad, baby spinach leaves are your best bet since they’re tender and have a milder flavor than mature spinach. Regular mature spinach will work too, but you’ll want to remove any thick stems and tear the larger leaves into bite-sized pieces. Fresh spinach is definitely the way to go here – avoid using frozen spinach since it becomes too wilted and watery when thawed. If you’re shopping at the grocery store, look for bright green leaves that are crisp and free from any yellow spots or slimy texture. Give your spinach a good wash in cold water and dry it thoroughly (a salad spinner works great for this) to help the dressing stick better to the leaves.

Options for Substitutions

This salad is pretty flexible and you can switch things up based on what you have in your kitchen:

• Spinach: Not a fan of spinach or don’t have any? Mixed spring greens, arugula, or baby kale work great as alternatives. Just keep in mind that arugula has a peppery taste that will add a different flavor to your salad.
• Balsamic vinegar: You can swap this with red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar. If using apple cider vinegar, you might want to add a touch more brown sugar since it’s more tart.
• Almonds: Feel free to use pecans, walnuts, or even sunflower seeds instead. Just remember to toast them first to bring out their nutty flavor. For a nut-free version, try roasted pumpkin seeds.
• Feta cheese: Goat cheese or blue cheese make good substitutes. If you’re not into strong cheeses, try some mild crumbled queso fresco.
• Bacon: Turkey bacon works well for a lighter option. For a vegetarian version, try smoky tempeh bacon or simply add some extra toasted nuts for crunch.
• Strawberries: When strawberries aren’t in season, try using sliced pears, apples, or mandarin oranges. Each will give the salad its own unique taste while still keeping that sweet-savory balance.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest challenge with spinach salads is ending up with wilted, soggy leaves that can ruin the entire dish – to keep your salad crisp, wait to add the dressing until right before serving and make sure your spinach leaves are completely dry after washing. Another common mistake is using cold bacon, which can make the fat appear unappetizing and grainy – instead, add the bacon while it’s still slightly warm to help it blend with the other ingredients and release its flavors into the salad. When it comes to the strawberries, avoid slicing them too far in advance as they’ll release excess moisture and make your salad watery – cut them just before assembling, and if you’re prepping ahead, keep all ingredients separate until serving time. For the perfect balance of flavors, toss the salad gently with your hands instead of utensils, which allows you to distribute the ingredients evenly without bruising the spinach or crushing the berries.

What to Serve With Strawberry Spinach Salad?

This fresh and filling salad works great as a main dish for lunch, but it’s also perfect as a side for dinner! When serving it as a main, I like to add some grilled chicken breast or salmon on top to make it more substantial. For a complete dinner spread, try pairing this salad with a simple bowl of creamy potato soup or a piece of crusty French bread. Since the salad already has lots of flavors going on with the sweet strawberries, salty bacon, and tangy feta, it’s best to keep any accompaniments pretty simple and straightforward.

Storage Instructions

Keep Components Separate: For the freshest salad experience, store the prepared ingredients separately. Keep your washed spinach leaves in a container lined with paper towels in the fridge for up to 5 days. The sliced strawberries can go in a separate container for 2-3 days, and the cooked bacon will stay crispy in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Dressing Storage: The balsamic dressing can be mixed ahead and kept in a sealed jar or container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Just give it a good shake before using since the oil and vinegar will naturally separate.

Assembly Tips: This salad is best assembled right before serving to keep everything fresh and crisp. If you’re packing it for lunch, layer the ingredients with the spinach on top and the dressing in a separate container – this keeps everything from getting soggy until you’re ready to eat!

Preparation Time	15-20 minutes
Cooking Time	0-0 minutes
Total Time	15-20 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1000-1200
• Protein: 30-35 g
• Fat: 80-90 g
• Carbohydrates: 60-70 g

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• Salt (to your liking, optional)
• 10 ounces fresh spinach (approximately 10 cups torn leaves)
• 3 cups strawberries (cleaned, hulled, and sliced)
• 1/4 cup almonds (slivered and toasted)
• 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 8 slices bacon (cooked and chopped)

Step 1: Prepare the Dressing

In a medium bowl, combine all the dressing ingredients.

Whisk them together until well blended.

Taste the dressing and add salt if you desire.

This dressing can be served immediately or, for enhanced flavor, cover the bowl and let it chill in the refrigerator for about an hour.

Step 2: Assemble the Salad Base

In a large bowl, combine all of the salad ingredients, making sure to leave out the feta cheese and toasted sliced almonds for now.

This will ensure that these ingredients maintain their distinct texture and appearance.

Step 3: Toss Salad with Dressing

Pour the prepared dressing over the salad in the large bowl.

Toss the salad thoroughly to make sure all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.

Step 4: Top with Feta and Almonds

Once the salad is tossed, sprinkle feta cheese and toasted sliced almonds on top.

By adding these after mixing in the dressing, the feta cheese remains white and the almonds stay crunchy.

Step 5: Serve

Serve the salad immediately to enjoy the fresh flavors and crunchy textures.

If you prefer, you can also sprinkle the feta cheese and almonds on individual servings.