Go Back
+ servings
Horizontal closeup photo of a Strawberry Spinach Salad in a white serving bowl on a wood table.
Print Recipe
4.63 from 8 votes

Strawberry Spinach Salad

This Strawberry Spinach Salad is pretty as a picture. The Lemon Basil Poppyseed Dressing and Sweet, Spicy Glazed Pistachios are the crowning glory!
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Salad, Salad Dressing, Salad Topper
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Strawberry Spinach Salad
Servings: 6
Calories: 171kcal
Author: Chris Scheuer

Ingredients

For the dried cranberries:

  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • 2 teaspoons water

For the Sweet and Spicy Pistachios:

  • 1 ½ tablespoons honey
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon butter
  • 1 cup pistachios

For the salad:

  • 10 ounces baby spinach
  • 12 ounces fresh strawberries quartered
  • 1 cup sliced cucumber flowers or plain sliced cucumbers
  • small red onion thinly sliced
  • Lemon Basil Dressing

Instructions

  • For the dried cranberries:
  • Combine dried cranberries and water in a small microwave-safe bowl or cup. Place in microwave and cook on high power for 30 seconds. Remove from microwave, stir with a fork and set aside to cool, uncovered. (If you don't have a microwave, simply pour 2 teaspoons of boiling hot water into the cranberries and stir. Cover with plastic wrap until ready to use.)

For the Sweet and Spicy Pistachios:

  • Place a piece of foil, approximately 1½ feet long, on a work surface. Spray with cooking spray or rub with some oil and a paper towel.
  • Combine honey, chili powder and salt in a small bowl. Set aside
  • Melt butter in a small sauté pan over medium heat. Add pistachios and stir for 1-2 minutes or until pistachios smell fragrant.
  • Add the honey mixture and stir continuously for 2-3 minutes until nuts are golden honey is reduced and coating the nuts.
  • Remove from heat and transfer pistachios to the prepared foil. Spread apart as much as possible with the back of a spoon or rubber spatula.
  • These pistachios can be prepared a few days in advance. After cooling store in an airtight container.

For the salad:

  • In a large serving bowl, toss together spinach, ¾ of the strawberries, ¾ of the cucumbers and all of the red onion. Drizzle with 2-3 tablespoons of the Lemon Basil Dressing and toss again. 
  • Top salad with remaining strawberries, cucumbers, the plumped cranberries and a generous sprinkle of the Sweet and Spicy Pistachios. Serve immediately with additional dressing on the side.

Notes

See Café Tips above in post for additional instructions and tips.

Nutrition

Calories: 171kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 144mg | Potassium: 599mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 4600IU | Vitamin C: 48.9mg | Calcium: 80mg | Iron: 2.4mg