Strawberry Spinach Salad with Toasted Sesame Dressing

This vibrant and refreshingly crisp Strawberry Spinach Salad with a Sweet Sesame Seed Vinaigrette is a timeless culinary gem, a delightful retro recipe that effortlessly transports you back to the golden era of the 1970s. Perfectly embodying the spirit of leisurely summer gatherings, it offers an invigorating combination of lusciously sweet, ripe berries and tender baby spinach, all brought together by a uniquely flavorful dressing. It’s not just a salad; it’s an experience of fresh flavors and nostalgic charm, ideal for any occasion that calls for something light, wholesome, and utterly delicious.

The story of this beloved strawberry spinach salad recipe begins in my own family, a cherished hand-me-down from my dear Aunt Angela. She first shared it with my mother during my high school years, and it immediately captivated our taste buds. Its appeal to a group of teenage girls was undeniable: simple ingredients that were easy to source, combined with a sweet, tangy vinaigrette that made even the most vegetable-averse among us eager for a second helping. It quickly became a staple, a go-to dish for potlucks, family dinners, and impromptu summer lunches, proving that truly good food transcends generations.

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Strawberry Spinach Salad with Sesame Seed Vinaigrette: A Timeless Classic

Rediscovering this recipe was a journey back in time. I recently stumbled upon an old, slightly faded recipe card for this very spinach salad tucked away in my wooden recipe box – yes, a genuine, hinged-lid wooden box, a rarity in today’s digital age! It’s a relic from a time when recipes were handwritten, shared between friends, and passed down through generations, each card telling a story.

As with many cherished retro recipes from Aunt Angela, some of the initial ingredient descriptions were charmingly vague. I found phrases like “a bag of spinach” and “sliced strawberries,” which, while endearing, left a little to the imagination regarding precise quantities. Fortunately, the dressing recipe provided more exact measurements, a saving grace for ensuring the perfect balance of flavors.

During a recent visit from my brother-in-law and his wonderful wife, I decided to recreate this nostalgic salad. Initially, I used just one standard bag of baby spinach, as the original vague recipe suggested. However, I quickly realized that the dressing recipe yielded enough to generously coat the berries and greens, with a substantial amount leftover. To ensure every vibrant leaf and sweet berry was perfectly dressed without being oversaturated, and to prevent an excess of unused vinaigrette, I made a crucial adjustment: I increased the amount of spinach to a full 10 ounces. This minor tweak, scribbled on that old yellowed index card, transformed the salad into a perfectly proportioned masterpiece, ensuring that every bite was balanced and bursting with flavor.

What makes this salad truly stand out is its beautiful simplicity. The crispness of fresh spinach, the natural sweetness of ripe strawberries, and the subtle bite of green onions create a harmonious base. But it’s the sesame seed vinaigrette that truly elevates it, tying all the elements together with its unique sweet, tangy, and savory profile. It’s a testament to the fact that sometimes, the most unforgettable dishes are born from the simplest of ingredients, expertly combined.

Elevate Your Strawberry Spinach Salad: Tips and Creative Variations

This incredibly easy strawberry spinach salad recipe serves as a fantastic canvas for culinary creativity. While delicious in its classic form, it’s remarkably versatile and can be tweaked in numerous ways to suit your taste, cater to a crowd, or simply add a new dimension of flavor and texture. Here are some tips and ideas to make this salad truly your own:

Scale for the Crowd: As I discovered, the dressing recipe is generous. If you’re hosting a larger gathering or simply want more salad, easily double the quantities of both spinach and strawberries. This ensures there’s enough of this delightful dish to go around, and plenty of dressing to coat every delicious morsel.
Onion Alternatives: For a milder, slightly different flavor profile, consider replacing the green onions with very thin slices of red onion. Red onions offer a beautiful color contrast and a sharper, more pungent flavor. To mellow their intensity and enhance their crispness, I recommend soaking the red onion slices in ice water for 5-10 minutes before adding them to the salad. This simple trick reduces their pungency, leaving a pleasant, subtle bite.
Creamy Indulgence: Add some cubed, ripe avocado to the mix. Its rich, creamy texture and healthy fats play wonderfully against the sweetness of the strawberries and the crispness of the spinach, adding another layer of depth and satisfaction to the salad.
Cheese Please!: Introduce a savory element with crumbled feta cheese for a salty, tangy counterpoint, or opt for mini fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini) for a mild, creamy burst. Goat cheese is another excellent option, offering a delightful tanginess that pairs beautifully with berries.
Crunch Factor: For an irresistible textural contrast and an added layer of flavor, incorporate toasted nuts. Pine nuts, sliced almonds, pecans, or walnuts are all excellent choices. For best results, lightly toast them in a dry pan over medium heat for a few minutes until fragrant and slightly golden. This process brings out their natural oils and intensifies their nutty flavor, making a significant difference to the overall experience.
Dressing Diversions: While the sesame seed vinaigrette is iconic, don’t hesitate to experiment. Replace the sesame seeds with poppy seeds for a different visual appeal and a slightly milder nutty flavor.
Sweetness Adjustment: The original recipe’s sweetness is part of its charm, but if you prefer a less sweet salad dressing, simply decrease the sugar to ¼ cup. Taste as you go and adjust to your personal preference, ensuring the perfect balance for your palate.
Protein Power-Up: Transform this side salad into a complete meal by adding grilled chicken breast, seared shrimp, or even some crispy pan-fried tofu. These additions make it a fantastic light lunch or dinner option.
Additional Fresh Herbs: A sprinkle of fresh basil or mint, finely chopped, can introduce an aromatic freshness that complements the strawberries beautifully.
Citrus Zest: A little bit of orange or lemon zest added to the dressing can brighten the flavors and add an extra zing.

Serving Suggestions for Your Strawberry Spinach Salad

This salad is wonderfully versatile and pairs well with a variety of main courses. Its light and refreshing nature makes it an excellent accompaniment to grilled meats like chicken or fish during summer barbecues. It also stands beautifully alongside heartier dishes, offering a palate-cleansing contrast. Consider serving it with a light pasta dish, a gourmet sandwich, or even as a vibrant addition to a brunch spread. The key is to dress the salad just before serving to maintain the spinach’s crispness and prevent it from wilting, ensuring the best possible texture and flavor experience.

Why This Salad Remains a Favorite

The enduring appeal of the Strawberry Spinach Salad lies in its simplicity, its vibrant colors, and its irresistible combination of flavors and textures. It’s a reminder that truly great recipes don’t need to be complicated to be delicious. This retro gem continues to delight because it delivers on freshness, ease, and that wonderful feeling of enjoying something wholesome and satisfying. Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or a simple weeknight meal, this salad is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face and a burst of flavor to your table.

More Delicious Salad Recipes to Explore

If you love the fresh, vibrant flavors of this Strawberry Spinach Salad, you’ll be delighted to explore more of our favorite salad creations. Each recipe offers a unique blend of ingredients and dressings, perfect for any season or occasion. Expand your culinary repertoire and discover new ways to enjoy healthy, flavorful greens and fresh produce:

Cherry Orange Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette: A bright and zesty salad that bursts with the sweet and tangy flavors of fresh cherries and oranges, perfectly complemented by a lively citrus vinaigrette.
Basil Brie and Strawberry Salad: An elegant and sophisticated salad featuring the delicate sweetness of strawberries, the creamy richness of brie, and the aromatic freshness of basil. A true gourmet delight.
Spinach Pear and Blue Cheese Salad: A harmonious blend of sweet pears, tart cranberries, crunchy nuts, and the pungent tang of blue cheese, all on a bed of fresh spinach. A classic combination that never disappoints.
Greek Salad with Feta: Transport yourself to the Mediterranean with this classic Greek salad, featuring crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, briny olives, red onion, and generous crumbles of feta cheese, dressed in a simple yet flavorful vinaigrette.
Fiesta Salad: A vibrant and colorful salad packed with Mexican-inspired flavors, perfect for a festive gathering. Expect corn, black beans, bell peppers, and a zesty dressing.
Spinach Salad with Grilled Peaches: Elevate your summer salad game with the sweet, smoky notes of grilled peaches paired with fresh spinach and the sharp creaminess of blue cheese. An unexpected delight!
Honey Lime Fruit Salad: A refreshing medley of seasonal fruits tossed in a sweet and tangy honey-lime dressing. Perfect as a side dish or a light, healthy dessert.
Explore even more delectable options in our comprehensive collection of Salad Recipes, where you’ll find inspiration for every meal and every season.

The Recipe:

Strawberry Spinach Salad with Sesame Seed Vinaigrette

Prep Time
10 minutes

Total Time
10 minutes

Yield
8 servings

A delightful throwback recipe featuring crisp baby spinach and sweet, ripe strawberries, perfectly balanced with a savory-sweet sesame seed vinaigrette.

Ingredients

10 ounces fresh baby spinach
8- 12 ounces fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
4 green onions, thinly sliced
¼ cup champagne vinegar
4 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
½ cup sugar (reduce to 1/4 cup for a less sweet dressing)
4 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon chopped onion
2 teaspoons sesame seeds
⅓ cup olive oil

Instructions

In a large salad bowl, gently toss together the fresh baby spinach, sliced strawberries, and thinly sliced green onions. Set this mixture aside while you prepare the dressing.
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the champagne vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, paprika, chopped onion, and sesame seeds until well combined and the sugar begins to dissolve.
Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while continuously whisking the dressing. Continue to whisk until the dressing is emulsified and smooth.
Just before serving, pour enough dressing over the spinach and strawberry mixture to lightly coat all the ingredients. Toss gently to combine and serve immediately to enjoy its fresh crispness.

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