Name: SPRING SPINACH & STRAWBERRY SALAD
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 6 cups baby spinach leaves; 12 strawberries (cored and sliced); 1/2 red onion (thinly sliced); 4 medjool dates (pitted and chopped); 1 cup whole pecans; ¼ cup pure maple syrup; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; ½ teaspoon ground cumin; Salt and pepper to taste; 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar; 2 tablespoon lemon juice; 1/4 teaspoon sugar; Salt to taste; 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil; 1 teaspoon poppy seeds; ½ teaspoon dried tarragon; Black pepper to taste

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This spring spinach and strawberry salad is so fresh, crisp, light, healthy, and flavorful. It's also easy to make and great for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

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Hi there! Thanks for visiting us, we’re so happy you’re here. If you’re looking for Southern inspired vegan comfort food recipes, you’ve come to the right place.

We love vegan comfort food and we’re really good at making it. Take a tour through our site and you’ll find all of the recipes that scream, stretchy pants required!

The good news, they’re all plant-based recipes, so you don’t need to feel guilty eating them. Now sit back, relax, and eat happy. 🙂

WHY IS STRAWBERRY SPINACH SALAD HEALTHY?

If you’re like me, you like a good salad for breakfast, and of course another one for lunch, especially when the weather is nice.

Even if you want something a little more substantial for dinner, a flavorful side salad is always a great palate cleanser. And believe me, this strawberry spinach salad with pecans is packed full of flavor.

We should all be reaching for one healthy salad with greens every single day. Spinach is one of our favorite greens because it has so many vital nutrients.

WHY IS SPINACH GOOD FOR YOU?

Vitamin K - 1 cup provides you with 987% of the daily recommendation.

Vitamin A - 105% of the daily allowance.

Manganese - 73% of the daily allowance.

WHAT DOES MANGANESE DO FOR THE BODY?

It's good for bone production

It helps keep your skin healthy

It helps to control blood sugar

It is a powerful antioxidant

Folate - 66% of the daily allowance

WHAT DOES FOLATE DO FOR THE BODY?

Supports the brain and the nervous system

Is good for the cardiovascular system

Supports red cell blood production

Is important for reproductive health

WHY ARE STRAWBERRIES GOOD FOR YOU?

Strawberries are considered a superfood and something you should strive to consume, along with other types of berries, every day.

Vitamin C - 113% of the daily allowance in 1 cup.

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties

Good for the cardiovascular system

Improved regulation of blood sugar

Low on the glycemic index

Now that you know why the two main ingredients in this salad are so good for you, let's talk about how great it tastes.

This baby is loaded with wonderful flavors. The spinach is fresh, yet slightly earthy, the strawberries are sweet, the onions give it some heat, and the spiced pecans are warm and sweet all at the same time. The dates also lend a sweetness. Finally, the lemon poppy seed dressing is tangy and tart.

Then there are the textures. You'll find chewy and crunchy in this healthy spinach salad, what more could you ask for?

HOW DO I MAKE STRAWBERRY SPINACH SALAD WITH LEMON POPPY SEED DRESSING?

This is so easy. The only thing that takes a little time, and we're talking less than 15 minutes, are the pecans. Other than spicing those up, all you'll need to do is chop the strawberries, onion, and dates.

FIRST

Make the spiced pecans.

HOW TO MAKE SPICED PECANS

In a medium bowl, stir maple syrup, cinnamon, cumin, and salt and pepper together until well combined.

Add the pecans and fold into the maple syrup mixture until they're totally covered in the mixture.

Spread evenly on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for approximately 5 to 7 minutes and then flip them and bake another 5 to 7 minutes, or until they're lightly browned.

Let cool for 15 minutes.

SECOND

Make the dressing.

HOW TO MAKE LEMON POPPY SEED DRESSING

Whisk the lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, sugar and salt together until dissolved.

Add the olive oil, dried tarragon, black pepper, and poppy seeds and whisk until combined.

Done.

THIRD

Chop and slice the dates, strawberries, and onion and toss them in a large bowl with the spinach and the salad dressing. Top with the pecans and serve.

WHAT GOES WITH STRAWBERRY SPINACH SALAD?

You can serve this strawberry spinach and pecan salad as the main course with warm bread and a crisp glass of white wine, or it can be a side salad to any entree.

It goes great with our Curry Egg(less) Salad Sandwich.

Or you can serve it with our Cream of Celery Soup.

It's also delicious next to our Spicy Black Bean Quinoa Burgers

This is also a great salad to take with you for lunch at school or at the office. It also makes a great picnic salad.

Make our spinach and strawberry salad with candied pecans and let us know what you think. We love to hear from you! And, don’t forget to take a picture of your gorgeous creation and tag us @veganosity on Instagram.

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This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

Spring Spinach & Strawberry Salad