Spinach and Berry Salad Bowl (Printable)

Fresh spinach meets sweet berries, creamy goat cheese, and toasted nuts in a vibrant bowl drizzled with tangy homemade vinaigrette.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad

01 - 5 oz fresh baby spinach
02 - 3.5 oz mixed fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
03 - 2 oz goat cheese, crumbled
04 - 1.75 oz toasted walnuts or pecans, roughly chopped
05 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced (optional)

→ Vinaigrette

06 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
07 - 1.5 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
08 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Steps:

01 - Wash and dry the spinach leaves and berries thoroughly.
02 - In a large salad bowl, combine the spinach, berries, goat cheese, nuts, and red onion if using.
03 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
04 - Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad just before serving.
05 - Toss gently to combine and serve immediately.

# Chef’s Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in 15 minutes, which means you can actually make it on a weeknight without drama.
  • The tangy vinaigrette somehow tastes restaurant-quality, but there's no fancy technique involved—just whisking and tasting.
  • Fresh berries and creamy goat cheese feel indulgent while keeping the whole thing genuinely light and nourishing.
02 -
  • Never dress this salad more than a few minutes before serving, or the spinach will start wilting and the berries will weep liquid into everything.
  • The emulsification in the dressing is what makes it silky—don't just whisk casually; keep going until you see it transform into something glossy and unified.
03 -
  • Make the dressing in a jar so you can shake it before serving—it keeps better and the emulsion stays stable if you're transporting this somewhere.
  • Invest in good berries; they're the focal point here and sad berries make the whole salad sad.
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