Josh's Spinach-Strawberry Salad with Honey-Dijon Vinaigrette & Seed-Nut Crunch
This salad hits the sweet-savory balance and adds brightness without being too fussy.
Salad
| Ingredient | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh spinach (as your base) | ||
| Sliced strawberries | ||
| Thin apple slices (Granny Smith or red both work) | ||
| Dried cranberries | ||
| Crushed or chopped peanuts, sunflower seeds, and/or pumpkin seeds | ||
| Optional: thinly sliced onions (quick-pickled if you have time) |
Vinaigrette
| Ingredient | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Honey | 1 tbsp | |
| Dijon mustard | 1 tsp | or regular mustard if needed |
| Oil (olive or neutral) | 2 tbsp | |
| Vinegar | 1 tbsp | Balsamic, apple cider, red wine, or a splash of lemon juice |
| Salt & black pepper | ||
| Pinch of dried basil or thyme | Optional |
Instructions
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together: 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp mustard, 2 tbsp oil, 1 tbsp vinegar, and Salt, pepper, and optional pinch of dried herbs. Shake or whisk until emulsified.
- Build the salad: Toss spinach with strawberry slices, apples, cranberries, and seeds/nuts. Add thin slices of onion if using.
- Dress & Finish: Drizzle the vinaigrette over just before serving. Toss gently and serve immediately to maintain texture.
Author
Josh
Die-hard world traveller, hiker, and social host.