Vibrant Mixed Berry Spinach Salad (Easy & Healthy!)

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

1. 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.
2. I season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. 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

1. 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

1. I drizzle the desired amount of the lemon-Dijon dressing over the salad ingredients.
2. I toss gently to combine, making sure everything is lightly coated but not drenched.
3. I divide the Mixed Berry Spinach Salad into plates.
4. I drizzle with additional dressing if desired.
5. I season with a little extra freshly ground salt and pepper to taste.
6. 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.

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