Welcome the vibrant flavors of the season with an exquisite Spinach Almond and Berries Salad. This isn’t just any salad; it’s a celebration of summer’s freshest bounty, perfectly blending crisp greens, sweet berries, and crunchy almonds. Elevating the experience is a uniquely crafted Spinach Salad Dressing, designed to complement the delicate sweetness of the berries without overpowering them. Whether you’re seeking a refreshing side dish or a light, satisfying meal, this elevated Strawberry Spinach Salad promises a delightful culinary escape.
Why This Berry Spinach Salad Is a Must-Try
My journey into the world of gourmet salads began over a decade ago when I discovered a remarkable recipe in a cookbook during a trip to Colorado. It featured a captivating blend of greens adorned with a medley of colorful berries, all brought together by a wonderfully sweet vinaigrette. This initial spark was the inspiration for what you see today: a truly special Spinach, Almond, and Berries Salad that stands head and shoulders above typical green salads.
Growing up in central Iowa, salads often meant a straightforward mix of lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers. While comforting, they rarely ventured beyond the basics. The first time my aunt introduced us to her innovative Strawberry Spinach Salad, it was a revelation. We were instantly captivated by the harmonious blend of sweet and savory notes, a welcome departure from our usual fare. The generous touch of sugar in her vinaigrette certainly played a role in its immediate appeal!
This particular rendition takes that concept to new heights, transforming a simple salad into a culinary masterpiece. Here’s what makes it an absolute must-make:
- A Symphony of Berries: Unlike many berry salads, this recipe incorporates not one, but FOUR kinds of fresh berries – strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries. Each offers a unique burst of flavor and texture, creating a vibrant, multi-dimensional experience.
- Dual Green Foundation: We combine the tender earthiness of baby spinach with the crisp, delicate texture of butter lettuce. This blend provides a superior base that is both refreshing and visually appealing.
- Unexpected Herbal Freshness: A subtle yet impactful touch of fresh dill, along with sliced green onions, introduces a layer of aromatic complexity that truly sets this salad apart. It’s an unconventional addition that provides a surprising and delightful nuance.
- Crunchy, Nutty Perfection: Toasted slivered almonds add a satisfying crunch and a nutty depth that complements the sweetness of the berries and the freshness of the greens.
- Sophisticated Homemade Vinaigrette: The dressing is far from basic. It’s a carefully balanced sweet vinaigrette featuring garlic, Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard, and onion powder, alongside the classic sugar, oil, and vinegar. This blend creates a dressing that’s both sweet and savory, perfectly enhancing every ingredient in the bowl.
This salad is not just a dish; it’s an experience—a vibrant, healthy, and incredibly flavorful option perfect for any occasion, from a casual weeknight dinner to an elegant summer gathering.
Crafting Your Perfect Spinach Berry Salad
My childhood experiences with salad often involved my mom trying to innovate beyond the standard tomatoes and cucumbers. We were often resistant to new additions, especially if they involved leftover vegetables or, heaven forbid, fruit. However, the first taste of a strawberry spinach salad recipe completely transformed our perception. Since then, I’ve become an ardent admirer of incorporating fresh berries into salads, and this recipe is a testament to that passion.
Creating this stunning and flavorful berry spinach salad is surprisingly simple, yet the results are profoundly delicious. Here’s a detailed guide to ensure your salad is nothing short of perfect:
- Prepare Your Greens: Begin by gently tossing together fresh baby spinach and crisp butter lettuce. This combination provides a tender yet refreshing foundation for the more vibrant ingredients to come. Ensure your greens are thoroughly washed and dried to prevent a watery salad.
- Layer the Berries: Artfully arrange a colorful mix of perfectly ripe strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries over the bed of greens. The visual appeal is almost as delightful as the taste. Feel free to adjust the proportions or even choose your favorite single berry if you prefer.
- Add Aromatic & Crunchy Elements: Sprinkle toasted slivered almonds, thinly sliced green onions, and a few delicate tendrils of fresh dill over and around the berries. The toasted almonds add a wonderful textural contrast and nutty flavor, while the green onions provide a mild, savory bite.
- PRO-Tip: The Magic of Fresh Dill: Even if the idea of fresh dill in a berry salad seems unconventional, I wholeheartedly encourage you to try it. I don’t typically use much fresh dill in my everyday cooking, but in this specific salad, it introduces an unexpected, herbaceous nuance that elevates the overall flavor profile. It’s a game-changer!
- Whip Up the Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together all the dressing ingredients EXCEPT the olive oil. Once well combined, slowly and steadily drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil while continuously whisking. This gradual addition is crucial for emulsifying the dressing, creating a smooth, cohesive vinaigrette that coats the salad beautifully.
- Serving Suggestions: For the freshest taste and texture, either toss the entire salad with a portion of the dressing just before serving, or offer the dressing on the side, allowing each person to add it to their preference. This ensures the greens remain crisp and vibrant. This exquisite twist on a spinach salad is incredibly versatile, making it ideal for a casual picnic, a backyard barbecue, or even a simple, elegant weeknight dinner at home.
- Adaptability is Key: This recipe is incredibly forgiving and easy to customize. Feel free to omit the nuts if you have allergies, or substitute slivered almonds with pecans or walnuts for a different flavor profile. Similarly, while the four-berry mix is delightful, you can easily use just one or two types of berries based on availability or personal preference.
Frequently Asked Questions About Berry Salads
Selecting high-quality berries is crucial for the success of your salad. Always rely on your senses of sight and smell. Berries should have a distinct, sweet aroma, signaling ripeness. Visually, look for plump, vibrant fruits with uniform color and no visible bruising, soft spots, mold, or areas of green (especially for strawberries and blueberries). If you’re buying berries in a plastic container at the supermarket, make sure to inspect all sides, including the bottom, to ensure there are no hidden spoiled berries.
Vinaigrette separation often occurs if the dressing wasn’t properly emulsified. Emulsification is a culinary technique where two immiscible liquids, like oil and vinegar, are blended together to form a stable mixture. This is achieved by slowly drizzling the oil into the other ingredients (vinegar, sugar, spices) while continuously whisking vigorously. If the oil is added too quickly, or if the whisking isn’t consistent, the oil won’t properly disperse, leading to separation. Don’t worry if this happens! Simply whisk the dressing again vigorously, or if it’s in a jar, shake it very well right before serving, and it will come back together.
While the salad is best enjoyed fresh, you can certainly prepare some components in advance to save time. You can wash and dry your spinach and lettuce, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Toast the almonds and keep them in a separate container. Prepare the dressing and store it separately. Just before serving, combine the greens, berries, almonds, and green onions, then add the dressing. This method helps maintain the freshness and crispness of all the ingredients.
More Delightful Salad Recipes
- Summer Caprese Salad from Two Peas and Their Pod
- Goat Cheese Salad with Raspberry Dressing – Creative Culinary
- Spinach Pear Salad with Cranberries and Blue Cheese
- Citrus Spinach Salad with Avocados and Oranges
- Peach and Beet Salad
- Plus More of the Best Salad Recipes
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Spinach, Almond and Berries Salad
20 minutes
20 minutes
4 servings
A refreshing and vibrant salad featuring fresh spinach, a medley of sweet berries, and crunchy toasted almonds, all tossed in a light, sweet-savory vinaigrette.
Ingredients
Dressing:
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup sherry or red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
Salad:
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
- 8 ounces baby spinach
- 8 ounces butter lettuce
- 4 green onions, trimmed and sliced
- 1 cup strawberries, sliced
- 1/2 cup raspberries
- 1/2 cup blackberries
- 1 cup blueberries
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients except the olive oil until well combined. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while continuously whisking until the mixture is emulsified and smooth. Set aside.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large serving bowl, combine the baby spinach, butter lettuce, toasted slivered almonds, sliced green onions, and fresh dill. Gently add the sliced strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries.
- Serve: Just before serving, pour the prepared vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Feel free to leave out the nuts if preferred, or substitute slivered almonds with pecans or walnuts for a different flavor profile.
This recipe is highly flexible! Use all four suggested berries, or opt for just one or two based on seasonal availability and your personal taste.
This recipe was adapted from “Colorado Colore” for an enhanced flavor and ingredient profile.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 413
Total Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Trans Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 21g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 162mg
Carbohydrates: 46g
Fiber: 8g
Sugar: 34g
Protein: 6g
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