This Mixed Berries Spinach Salad is such a simple, healthy, and delicious way to brighten up any meal! It features tender baby spinach leaves tossed with a colorful medley of fresh blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, along with crunchy almonds, tangy feta cheese, and a creamy lemon-Dijon dressing. I love making this Mixed Berry Spinach Salad because it’s incredibly easy to assemble, looks absolutely gorgeous, and is packed with nutrients. It’s the perfect salad for spring gatherings, a light lunch, or a refreshing side dish, especially now on this lovely April day!
Why You’ll Love This Mixed Berry Spinach Salad
- Fresh and Flavorful: The combination of sweet berries, tangy feta, crunchy almonds, and zesty dressing is delightful.
- Healthy and Nutritious: Packed with vitamins and antioxidants from the spinach and berries, plus healthy fats from almonds and olive oil.
- Quick and Easy: Comes together in just about 15 minutes!
- Beautiful Presentation: The vibrant colors of the berries, spinach, and feta make this salad visually stunning.
- Versatile: Perfect as a side salad or add some protein to make it a main course.
Ingredients for Mixed Berry Spinach Salad
Here’s what you’ll need to make this vibrant and healthy salad. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Salad
- Baby spinach leaves (Greens)
- Blueberries (Fruit)
- Raspberries (Fruit)
- Blackberries (Fruit)
- Toasted slivered almonds (Nuts)
- Crumbled feta cheese (Dairy)
Salad Dressing
- Mayonnaise (Condiment)
- Dijon mustard (Condiment)
- Extra virgin olive oil (Oil)
- Garlic, grated (Aromatic)
- Fresh lemon juice (Acid)
- Salt (Seasoning)
- Fresh cracked black pepper (Spice)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love the combination of flavors in this Mixed Berry Spinach Salad, but it’s easily customizable! Here are some variations:
- Different Greens: Use arugula, mixed greens, or butter lettuce instead of spinach.
- Different Nuts/Seeds: Substitute toasted pecans, walnuts, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds for the almonds.
- Different Cheese: Use crumbled goat cheese or shaved Parmesan instead of feta.
- Add Protein: Top the salad with grilled chicken, shrimp, salmon, or chickpeas to make it a main course.
- Different Dressing: Try a balsamic vinaigrette, poppy seed dressing, or a simple lemon vinaigrette.
How to Make Mixed Berry Spinach Salad
Let me show you how incredibly easy it is to make this Mixed Berry Spinach Salad:
Make the Dressing
- First, I prepare the delicious creamy dressing. I put the mayonnaise, grated garlic, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and extra virgin olive oil into a jar with a lid.
- I season with salt and pepper to taste.
- I seal the jar tightly and shake vigorously until the dressing is well combined and emulsified. Alternatively, I can just whisk everything together in a small bowl.
Assemble the Salad
- I add the salad ingredients – the baby spinach leaves, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, toasted slivered almonds, and crumbled feta cheese – to a large salad bowl.
Dress and Serve
- I drizzle the desired amount of the lemon-Dijon dressing over the salad ingredients.
- I toss gently to combine, making sure everything is lightly coated but not drenched.
- I divide the Mixed Berry Spinach Salad into plates.
- I drizzle with additional dressing if desired.
- I season with a little extra freshly ground salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve!
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Spinach Salad
Here are my secrets for making this Mixed Berry Spinach Salad truly exceptional:
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh berries, crisp spinach, and good quality feta make all the difference.
- Wash and Dry Greens Thoroughly: Ensure the spinach leaves are completely dry before adding the dressing to prevent a soggy salad. A salad spinner works wonders!
- Toast the Nuts: Toasting the almonds (or other nuts) brings out their flavor and adds extra crunch. You can do this briefly in a dry skillet or a low oven.
- Dress Just Before Serving: For the freshest taste and best texture (especially keeping the nuts crunchy), toss the salad with the dressing immediately before serving.
- Gentle Toss: Toss the salad gently to avoid bruising the delicate spinach leaves and berries.
How to Serve
This Mixed Berry Spinach Salad is perfect served:
- As a Side Salad: A beautiful and flavorful accompaniment to grilled chicken, fish, pork, or steak.
- As a Light Lunch: Enjoy a larger portion on its own or with some added protein.
- For Brunches: A vibrant and healthy addition to a brunch spread.
- At Potlucks or Parties: A crowd-pleasing salad that’s always popular.
Serve immediately after dressing.
Make Ahead and Storage
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the dressing up to 3 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Wash and prep the spinach and other salad components (except potentially slicing apples if used in variation) and store them separately. Toast the nuts ahead of time.
- Storage: This salad is best enjoyed fresh after dressing. Leftovers may become soggy, especially the spinach and nuts. If you anticipate leftovers, consider storing the dressing separately and dressing individual portions as needed.
FAQs about Mixed Berry Spinach Salad
- Can I use frozen berries?
- Fresh berries are highly recommended for the best texture in this salad. Frozen berries will release a lot of liquid upon thawing and become quite soft, which isn’t ideal for a fresh salad.
- Can I make my own dressing from scratch instead of using mayonnaise?
- Absolutely! A simple vinaigrette made with olive oil, red wine vinegar (or lemon juice), Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and maybe a touch of honey or maple syrup would be delicious.
- Is this salad healthy?
- Yes! It’s packed with nutrient-rich spinach, antioxidant-rich berries, healthy fats from olive oil and almonds, and protein from cheese. The dressing adds some calories, but overall it’s a very healthy choice.
Enjoy this vibrant, flavorful, and incredibly easy Mixed Berry Spinach Salad Recipe! It’s a perfect celebration of fresh ingredients.
Print
Mixed Berries Spinach Salad
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Salad, Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Description
Simple, healthy and delicious spinach Salad Recipe – Perfect if you have company. This salad combines fresh spinach, mixed berries, toasted almonds, and feta cheese with a creamy lemon-Dijon dressing.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salad:
- 10 cups fresh baby spinach leaves
- 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
- 1/2 cup fresh raspberries
- 1/2 cup fresh blackberries
- 1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds (see notes)
- 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
For the Lemon-Dijon Dressing:
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, grated or minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Make the Dressing: Combine the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, olive oil, grated/minced garlic, and fresh lemon juice in a mason jar with a lid or a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Seal the jar and shake vigorously (or whisk well in the bowl) until the dressing is well combined and emulsified.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large salad bowl, combine the baby spinach leaves, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, toasted slivered almonds, and crumbled feta cheese.
- Dress and Serve: Drizzle the desired amount of dressing over the salad ingredients just before serving. Toss gently to coat well. Divide the salad into plates or bowls and serve immediately. You can offer extra dressing on the side, if desired. Season individual servings with additional salt and pepper, if needed.
Notes
- Spinach: Use fresh baby spinach for a tender salad.
- Berries: Use a mix of fresh berries as suggested, or use your favorite combination. Ensure berries are washed and dried.
- Almonds: Toasting the almonds brings out their flavor. Spread slivered almonds on a dry baking sheet and toast at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes, watching carefully until lightly golden and fragrant. You can substitute other nuts like pecans or walnuts.
- Feta Cheese: Crumbled feta adds a salty, tangy element. Goat cheese can be substituted.
- Dressing: The dressing can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Whisk or shake well before using.
- Serving: Dress the salad just before serving to prevent the spinach from wilting and the nuts/croutons (if added) from becoming soggy.
- Storage: Undressed salad components can be stored separately in the refrigerator. Once dressed, the salad is best eaten immediately.