Sweet and Savory Spinach Salad with Berries, Feta, and Honey Roasted Peanuts Recipe
A vibrant and refreshing spinach salad featuring a homemade balsamic honey dressing, fresh berries, mandarin oranges, creamy feta cheese, and crunchy honey roasted peanuts. Perfect as a light lunch or a colorful side dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Salad
- 8 cups baby spinach
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1 cup fresh strawberries
- ¾ cup mandarin oranges
- ½ cup feta cheese
- ½ cup honey roasted peanuts
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: Set the olive oil aside. In a mixing bowl, combine balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix these ingredients thoroughly.
- Emulsify the Dressing: Gradually drizzle the olive oil into the vinegar mixture while whisking continuously. This step is crucial as it helps emulsify the dressing, preventing separation and creating a smooth texture. Continue until all olive oil has been incorporated.
- Chill the Dressing: You can serve the dressing immediately or chill it in the refrigerator prior to serving. Remember to shake or stir well before each use to keep the dressing well combined.
- Prepare the Fruit: Wash and dry the blueberries, strawberries, and mandarin oranges. Remove the stems from the strawberries and slice them vertically for better presentation and easier eating.
- Assemble the Salad: Arrange the baby spinach on a large serving platter. Drizzle 3 to 4 tablespoons of the dressing over the spinach leaves.
- Add Fruit and Cheese: Top the spinach with the fresh blueberries, sliced strawberries, and mandarin oranges. Sprinkle the feta cheese evenly on top of the salad.
- Finish and Serve: Drizzle a little more dressing over the salad. Scatter the honey roasted peanuts on top for crunch, serve the remaining dressing on the side, and enjoy immediately.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh, ripe berries and oranges for the brightest flavor.
- Make the dressing in advance and chill to develop deeper flavor.
- Gently toss the salad just before serving to prevent sogginess.
- Honey roasted peanuts add a delightful sweet crunch but can be substituted with any nuts or seeds for different textures.
- Leftover dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Keywords: spinach salad, fresh berries salad, balsamic dressing, honey dressing, healthy salad, summer salad, vegetarian salad
