BERRY SPINACH SALAD

Berry Spinach Salad is a delightful and nutritious dish that brings together the freshness of greens with the sweetness of berries. This easy spinach salad recipe features spinach as its base, complemented raspberries, strawberries and candied almonds, creating a colorful profile that is pleasing to both the eyes and the palate. 

The poppy seed dressing recipe adds a zesty flair that ties everything together. The inclusion of raspberry jam enhances the overall flavor, making each bite a delightful experience. Perfect for warm days or as a side dish for gatherings, this simple spinach salad is both simple to prepare and immensely satisfying.

Summer Berry Salad

Berry Spinach Salad is an excellent choice for warm weather. Its refreshing ingredients offer a light taste that pairs well with sunny days. The combination of spinach, berries, and nuts creates a balance of flavors and textures. The sweetness from the raspberries and strawberries complements the mild spinach perfectly.

This salad is not only delicious but also visually appealing with its bright colors. The addition of Raspberry Poppy Seed Dressing enhances its taste while keeping it light and zesty. Perfect for picnics or barbecues, this salad is easy to prepare and can be enjoyed by everyone. It is a delightful way to stay cool while savoring fresh flavors!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s quick and easy! It’s very simple, so you can easily throw it together in just a few minutes. Whip up this refreshing side dish any time of day.
• Amazing taste & texture. The freshness of spinach and juicy berries provides a burst of taste in every bite. Raspberries and strawberries work together to create a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness. The candied almonds add a satisfying crunch, enhancing the overall experience.
• It is healthy! With iron, vitamins, protein, fruits, and veggies in every bite, this salad is a wonderful and healthy addition to your diet! With its nutritious ingredients, it’s a great way to enjoy healthy eating without sacrificing taste.

Berry Spinach Salad Ingredients

Spinach: You need 8 cups of spinach as the base of the salad. You can add in romaine or other types of lettuce if you’d like.

Raspberries: Use 1 cup of raspberries in this salad recipe.

Strawberries: Add 1 cup of fresh sliced strawberries, more or less is okay depending on your preference.

Almonds: For added crunch, use 1 cup of candied almonds, pecans or walnuts also work well too.

Raspberry Poppy Seed Dressing

Rice vinegar: The base of this dressing is ½ cup of rice vinegar.

Oil: Use ½ cup of oil (like olive oil) to make the dressing more palatable.

Sugar: You’ll need ½ cup of granulated sugar to cut down on the acidic tanginess but leave the flavor.

Poppy seeds: Adding 2 tablespoons of poppy seeds will ensure there is plenty in every bite.

Raspberry jam: For a great taste, add 2 teaspoons of raspberry jam.

How to make Berry Spinach Salad

Candied Almonds (if not purchased this way)

To candy the almonds, place 1 cup of sliced almonds and 6 tablespoons of sugar in a medium saucepan. Stir over medium-high heat just until the sugar has completely dissolved, and then immediately remove from heat. Place the almonds in a single layer on wax paper to cool for 30-40 minutes.

Salad Dressing

In a bowl or large jar, combine the rice vinegar, oil, sugar, poppy seeds, and raspberry jam, whisk well to combine. If you have a blender bottle, this is a great tool to use as you can shake it all together and pour from it as well. Place the dressing in the refrigerator to chill, until ready to serve.

Assemble Salad

Wash and pat dry the spinach leaves and transfer to a large bowl. Then rinse the raspberries and add to the bowl. Wash and dice the strawberries into quarters, transfer them to the salad bowl as well. Add the candied nuts on top and toss salad a bit to combine.

I like to serve my dressing on the side so that you can add as much as you like, but you could go ahead and add the dressing to the salad right before serving if desired.

Serve immediately and enjoy!

How long is berry spinach salad good for?

This salad can be prepped up to 2 days in advance in the fridge if you keep the salad dressing off. Instead, store the salad dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 or 5 days. Add it to your salad just before serving to prevent the salad from wilting or getting soggy before it’s eaten.

What are some variations of spinach salad with berries?

A berry spinach salad can be customized with different cheeses, such as feta, goat cheese, or blue cheese. Adding fresh herbs like mint or basil can also elevate the flavor profile. Incorporating ingredients like sliced avocado or grilled chicken offers more heartiness.

What other fruits work well with berry spinach salad?

This salad is very versatile and could work great with just about any fruit or berries. We love to switch it up or add in fruits like mandarin oranges, blackberries, blueberries, and even kiwi! The more fruit, the better!

What dressing pairs well with a fruit-laden spinach salad?

Aside from raspberry poppy seed dressing, a light vinaigrette made with lemon juice and olive oil complements the fruit flavors. A honey mustard dressing can also provide a sweet and tangy contrast.

Can I combine different types of lettuce with spinach?

Yes, mixing spinach with romaine or arugula can create a more varied texture. Each type of lettuce brings its distinct flavor, which can enhance the overall taste of the salad. This combination can also visually appeal, making the salad more inviting.

Check out more of our favorite Spring and Summer recipes here:

• Another filling and delicious dish is this raspberry bacon chicken salad, make it for a light lunch on a warm day.
• Looking for a sweet treat? Give these cream cheese sugar cookies a try, they are heavenly!
• Is your garden bursting with vegetables? Make this garden vegetable caprese salad for a fresh, delightful dish.
• Try our easy summer corn salad as a perfect side dish to bring to your next family gathering or event. It is simple, feeds a crowd, and always satisfying.
• Bring this incredible lemon crumb cake to share with family and friends! It’s light, sweet, and oh so delicious.

Berry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed dressing is an incredible dish to serve with any meal, especially during the summertime! This easy spinach salad recipe is loaded with wonderful flavors, the almonds and berries are a fantastic texture combination.