There’s something truly magical about the fresh burst of strawberries paired with the crispness of spinach and the irresistible crunch of candied nuts. This Strawberry Spinach Salad with Candied Nuts Recipe is one of those simple dishes that feels fancy but comes together in minutes—perfect for a quick lunch or a show-stopping side.

A wooden bowl filled with fresh spinach leaves forming the base layer, showing their deep green smooth texture and veins; on top, there are slices of bright red strawberries evenly spread, their juicy and soft texture visible with white inner parts; scattered over these are small white pieces of crumbly cheese and dark brown glazed pecans adding contrast and crunch; the bowl is placed on a white marbled surface, surrounded by whole strawberries, pecans, and a block of crumbled white cheese; the overall look is fresh, colorful, and vibrant. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Strawberry Spinach Salad with Candied Nuts Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Strawberry Spinach Salad with Candied Nuts Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Strawberry Spinach Salad with Candied Nuts Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I first made this salad on a whim when I had some leftover spinach and strawberries, and honestly, it quickly became my go-to salad. It’s vibrant, flavorful, and balances sweet, salty, and tangy so well that every bite is a little celebration. I promise it’s as good as it sounds!

Balance of Flavors: Sweet strawberries, salty feta, and tart lemon dressing create a flavor combo that never gets boring.
Crunchy Texture: Candied nuts add a delightful crunch that elevates the whole salad experience.
Quick and Easy: Minimal prep means you can whip this up any day – great for busy weeknights or unexpected guests.
Fresh and Healthy: Packed with fresh ingredients that are as nourishing as they are delicious.

A wooden bowl filled with fresh green spinach leaves forms the base layer, topped with bright red sliced strawberries arranged evenly across the greens. Small white dollops of soft cheese and scattered brown pecans add texture and color contrast throughout the salad. A woman's hand is pouring a light yellow dressing with visible black pepper flakes from a small white pitcher above the bowl, with the dressing catching the light as it flows down. The background features a white marbled texture, and in the distance, whole strawberries are slightly out of focus. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in the Strawberry Spinach Salad with Candied Nuts Recipe plays a part in creating those signature sweet-and-savory layers. When choosing your ingredients, freshness is key—ripe strawberries and crisp spinach make all the difference.

Flat lay of fresh baby spinach leaves, halved ripe red strawberries, crumbled white feta cheese, a small pile of whole uncracked brown walnuts, a few sprigs of bright yellow lemon zest curls, a whole fresh lemon cut in half showing juicy interior, a small white ceramic bowl of golden light olive oil, a small white ceramic bowl of raw brown sugar, a small white ceramic bowl with tiny black poppy seeds, a small white ceramic bowl of smooth Dijon mustard, a small white ceramic bowl of amber honey, a small white ceramic bowl of coarse kosher salt, and a small pat of unsalted butter placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Walnuts or Pecans: These nuts caramelize beautifully and provide a sweeter-than-usual crunch when candied.
Brown Sugar: Adds just the right amount of caramel sweetness to the nuts without overpowering.
Unsalted Butter: Helps the sugars melt and stick to the nuts while adding richness.
Light Olive Oil or Grapeseed Oil: Choosing a light oil keeps the dressing fresh and bright without heaviness.
Honey (optional): I like to add a touch for extra natural sweetness in the dressing, but it's not a must.
Poppy Seeds: Beyond flavor, they give a subtle fun texture and visual interest.
Dijon Mustard: Gives that little tang and emulsifies the dressing nicely.
Lemon Zest and Juice: Nothing wakes a salad up quite like fresh lemon; it brightens everything.
Kosher Salt: Season carefully to enhance all the flavors.
Fresh Baby Spinach: Tender, mild, and a perfect base for juicy fruits and crunchy nuts.
Fresh Strawberries: Look for berries that are ripe but still firm for the best flavor and texture.
Feta Cheese: I absolutely love the creaminess and saltiness feta brings to this salad—it creates amazing depth.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

This salad is a wonderful canvas for your creativity. Over time, I’ve loved trying it with different nuts or swapping feta for goat cheese depending on what’s on hand or the vibe I’m going for.

Variation: I once made this with candied almonds instead of pecans—equally delicious and great if you want a slightly different crunch.
Dietary Swap: For dairy-free, you can skip the cheese or use a nut-based cheese alternative—I do this when serving friends with dietary restrictions.
Seasonal Swap: In cooler months, try swapping strawberries for pomegranate seeds for a festive twist.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Strawberry Spinach Salad with Candied Nuts Recipe

Step 1: Candying the Nuts – The Crunch That Makes It

Start by lining a baking sheet with parchment paper—trust me, clean-up here is so much easier. Melt your butter in a skillet over medium heat, then add your nuts and brown sugar. Stir constantly so that brown sugar melts and coats every nut piece evenly. You’ll notice the sugar starting to caramelize and bubble after about 3-4 minutes. Don’t walk away because it can burn quickly! Once that beautiful golden coating forms, spread the nuts on your prepared sheet to cool in a single layer. This step is crucial—if they cool clumped, it’s a pain to break apart later.

Step 2: Whisking Up the Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing

While your nuts cool, whisk together olive oil, poppy seeds, Dijon mustard, lemon zest and juice, a pinch of kosher salt, and optional honey in a medium bowl. Whisk vigorously until the dressing emulsifies—meaning it thickens slightly and blends fully. You want it smooth and bright. Let it sit a bit at room temperature to meld the flavors. It really wakes up the salad.

Step 3: Tossing It All Together

In a large bowl, gently toss your baby spinach, sliced strawberries, crumbled feta, and once cooled, the candied nuts. At this point, the salad looks colorful and inviting. Just before serving, drizzle the lemon poppy seed dressing over the top and give it a final gentle toss. Serve immediately for that beautiful crunchy sweet salad experience!

Top Tip

When I first melted the sugar for the candied nuts, I got impatient and stirred too slowly. The sugar burnt in spots and gave off a bitter taste that ruined my batch. Learning from that, here are the tips I now swear by for making perfect candied nuts every time:

Constant Stirring: Keep that spatula moving for even caramelization without burning.
Medium Heat Only: Too hot and the sugar will scorch before it melts properly; medium heat is just right.
Single Layer Cooling: Don’t pile nuts on top of each other on the cooling sheet—separate them to cool faster and break apart easily.
Add Dressing Just Before Serving: Keeps the salad fresh and spinach crisp, so don’t dress too early.

How to Serve Strawberry Spinach Salad with Candied Nuts Recipe

strawberry spinach salad - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle a little extra fresh lemon zest or a few extra candied nut pieces on top right before serving—that added touch always draws compliments. Sometimes, fresh cracked black pepper adds a subtle spicy kick that’s surprisingly nice.

Side Dishes

This Strawberry Spinach Salad with Candied Nuts Recipe pairs beautifully with grilled chicken or salmon for a light summer meal. For potlucks, I often bring it alongside crusty bread and a platter of cheeses for a crowd-pleasing spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve served this salad in individual glass bowls layered like a parfait—spinach first, then strawberries, nuts, and feta topped with a drizzle of dressing. It’s visually stunning and makes guests feel fancy. You can also use edible flowers as a garnish to impress even more.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have leftovers (which honestly is rare), store the salad and dressing separately in airtight containers in the fridge. Toss right before eating. Keeping the dressing off preserves the crispness of the spinach and crunch of the nuts.

Freezing

I don’t recommend freezing this salad because the texture of fresh spinach and strawberries won’t hold up. Plus, candied nuts can get soggy. It’s best enjoyed fresh.

Reheating

This salad is meant to be served cold and fresh. If you have leftovers with dressing mixed in, just bring them to room temperature and enjoy without reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the candied nuts ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare candied nuts a day or two in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Just make sure they’ve cooled completely before storing to avoid them sticking together.

What’s the best way to wash the spinach for this salad?

I recommend gently rinsing baby spinach under cold water and then using a salad spinner to dry it thoroughly. Excess moisture can make the salad soggy, so dry well before assembling.

Can I substitute the feta cheese?

Yes! Goat cheese or ricotta salata make great alternatives that provide similar creaminess and tang. For dairy-free options, omit cheese or use a plant-based cheese substitute.

What kind of nuts work best for the candied nuts?

Pecans and walnuts are my favorites because of their buttery texture and flavor, but almonds or hazelnuts can also work well if you prefer those or want to mix it up.

Final Thoughts

This Strawberry Spinach Salad with Candied Nuts Recipe truly feels like a little gift whenever I make it. It’s easy, fresh, and packed with layers of flavor and texture. Whether you’re making it for a weeknight meal or a special occasion, it’s hard not to smile after a bite. I hope you enjoy making (and eating!) it as much as I do.