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    Home » Recipes » Salad Recipes

    Spinach Strawberry and Goat Cheese Salad

    Apr 22, 2015 | by Jennifer | Last Updated: Jun 21, 2021

    Jump to Recipe

    A delicious Spinach Strawberry and Goat Cheese Salad, with watercress, tossed in a light maple vinaigrette and topped with sliced strawberries, goat cheese, maple-glazed walnuts and balsamic glaze.

    strawberry spinach salad on white plate

    This strawberry salad makes me happy just to look at, with it's bright colours! This salad is so much more than a pretty plate, though. There is so much goodness going on here I couldn't fit it all in the title.

    It starts with baby spinach and some watercress. I love watercress. It adds great texture to a salad and it's a nutritional powerhouse that's often overlooked. The greens are tossed in a simple maple vinaigrette. Not a lot - just enough to moisten it. The greens are then topped with sliced strawberries, goat cheese crumbles, maple-glazed walnuts and a balsamic glaze.

    It's worth mentioning again the maple-glazed walnuts, because they are seriously delicious. Walnuts are a nice nut and all, but they can tend to be a tiny bit bitter. It's amazing what a quick trip to a skillet will do though, when you add a bit of maple syrup. All at once, they are toasted and glazed in maple sweetness and I guarantee, you'll be snacking on them beyond this salad!

    Cooks' Notes

    I have to express my undying love for balsamic glaze. I used to have to pick it up in the city, but it's now easily available in my small-town grocery store. Look for it in with the balsamic vinegars. It's rich, thick and sweet and the perfect complement to the other flavours going on in this salad. If you can't find it, simply reduce some regular balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan with a bit of brown sugar for the same effect.

    strawberry spinach salad on white plate

    strawberry spinach salad on white plate

    Spinach Strawberry Goat Cheese Walnut Salad

    You can make the maple-glazed walnuts and maple vinaigrette ahead, but assemble the salad just before eating, to enjoy it at it's freshest. If you can't find balsamic glaze, you can reduce regular balsamic vinegar in a saucepan with a bit of brown sugar until it is thickened.
    Author: Jennifer
    5 stars from 1 rating
    Print it Pin it + Collection Go to Collections Share by Email
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 5 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Salad
    Servings 2 servings

    Ingredients
     

    Maple Glazed Walnuts:

    • 2/3 cup walnut halves
    • 2 Tbsp. maple syrup
    • Pinch salt

    Maple Vinaigrette:

    • 1 Tbsp. maple syrup
    • 1 Tbsp. vegetable, canola or light olive oil (something with a light or neutral flavour, so you don't overpower the maple syrup)
    • 1 1/2 tsp. white wine vinegar
    • Salt and pepper

    Salad:

    • Baby Spinach
    • Watercress, removed of bottom stems
    • Maple Vinaigrette
    • Goat cheese crumbles
    • Maple glazed walnuts
    • Sliced Strawberries
    • Balsamic Glaze
    • Freshly ground pepper
    Prevent screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • For the Maple Glazed Walnuts: Heat a skillet over medium heat on the stove-top. Add the walnut halves, maple syrup and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring constantly, until caramelized and toasted, about 3 minutes. Remove to a sheet of parchment paper and using a fork, quickly separate nuts so they are not touching each other. Allow to cool at room temperature, then store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator until needed.
    • For the Maple Vinaigrette: Combine all ingredients in a small bowl or a jar. Stir/shake together right before pouring over greens.
    • To assemble the salad: Place some baby spinach and watercress in to a large bowl. Shake or stir vinaigrette and drizzle a bit over the greens. Toss until lightly moistened, then remove to serving plate or bowl.
    • Top salad with some sliced strawberries, goat cheese crumbles and maple-glazed walnuts. Top with balsamic glaze and a bit of freshly ground pepper, if desired.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 320kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 6mg | Potassium: 205mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 375IU | Vitamin C: 1.2mg | Calcium: 62mg | Iron: 1.1mg

    Nutritional information provided for general guidance only and should not be relied upon to make personal health decisions.

    Course Salad
    Cuisine American
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    Meet the Author:
    Hi! I'm Jennifer, a home-cook of many years and a lifelong seeker of delicious food! I'm an equal opportunity eater. I enjoy eating all the foods!

    I love to share the classic recipes that I have enjoyed for years, as well as newer discoveries, that have become fast favourites.
    More about me here ...


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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Dora says

      July 11, 2017 at 11:49 am

      Looks so yummy! I'll definitely make it, thanks for sharing!
      I think it would be perfect with some basil leaves as well!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        July 11, 2017 at 12:21 pm

        Hi Dora and absolutely! Basil and strawberry goes so nicely together :)

        Reply
    2. Mariana says

      July 08, 2016 at 5:41 pm

      5 stars
      Watercress is indeed a wonderful little leaf. There are loads of watercress farms near where i live and I rarely use it. Thanks for sharing this recipe!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        July 08, 2016 at 6:16 pm

        Thanks Mariana. I am a fan of watercress and love to sneak it in to dishes and sandwiches, whenever I can!

        Reply
    3. Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness says

      July 07, 2016 at 12:43 pm

      What a delicious combination! I love spinach and strawberry salad, but you sent it over the top!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        July 07, 2016 at 1:24 pm

        Thanks so much, Cathleen :)

        Reply
    4. Mimi says

      July 03, 2016 at 2:58 pm

      A beautiful salad. We're almost out of strawberry season here! darn it.

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        July 03, 2016 at 3:18 pm

        Thanks Mimi :)

        Reply
    5. Jessica @ Citrus Blossom Bliss says

      June 06, 2016 at 10:03 am

      I've been trying to eat healthier and always run into a rut when trying to decide what I want as a salad. This looks like a beautiful option - I love balsamic glaze too! It's simply the best.

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        June 06, 2016 at 12:16 pm

        Thanks so much, Jessica :)

        Reply
    6. Shelly @ Vegetarian 'Ventures says

      May 16, 2016 at 4:05 pm

      Love the addition of watercress in here and maple walnuts - I bet they are so addictive even on their own!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        May 16, 2016 at 7:37 pm

        Thanks Shelly. I love watercress and like to sneak it in when I can. And yes, the walnuts are great snacks, too :)

        Reply
    7. Samina - Clean Nibbles says

      April 24, 2016 at 6:34 am

      This is what summer in a bowl looks like! So fresh and delicious! That dressing is making me drool!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        April 24, 2016 at 9:08 am

        Thanks so much, Samina :)

        Reply
    8. CakeSpy says

      April 18, 2016 at 6:46 am

      OMG. This salad looks like a dream. The Whole Foods near me sells one like this and it is something I know I should make but I always buy. Now, maybe I will gain the courage to make it because yours looks even better!!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        April 18, 2016 at 10:47 am

        Thanks so much :) I don't have a Whole Foods anywhere near me, so I don't have any choice but to make these myself. Super easy though!

        Reply
    9. Mikaela Judd says

      April 13, 2016 at 11:22 pm

      I have a friend who doesn't like goat cheese. I mean - detests it. And while I know full well that her hatred comes from a very real place, I can never really wrap my head around it. In my mind, goat cheese makes everything better. Put it on some roasted sweet potatoes. Slated it on toasted bread. Crumble it over salad - especially this salad and oh, my, goodness.

      Needless to say, I completely agree with you. The colors here are amazing. Plus, love your trick for reducing balsamic. It's such an affordable way to make an inexpensive ingredient taste like it costs big bucks!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        April 14, 2016 at 8:30 am

        Thanks Mikaela :) I would absolutely put goat cheese on everything, if I could!

        Reply
    10. Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says

      April 24, 2015 at 5:59 am

      I could eat this every day for lunch. The combination of flavors is perfect! Love your photos too!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        April 24, 2015 at 6:36 am

        Thanks so much, Tricia :)

        Reply
    11. sue|theviewfromgreatisland says

      April 23, 2015 at 7:03 pm

      That looks heavenly, I would kill for a plate of this right now. I love your maple vinaigrette, too --- how about I trade you some rhubarb vinaigrette for a jar??

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        April 23, 2015 at 7:07 pm

        Thanks Sue and it's a deal ;)

        Reply
    12. Chris Scheuer says

      April 23, 2015 at 3:38 pm

      This is gorgeous and so perfect for any spring occasion. Love those nuts, I totally agree that walnuts can be a bit bitter but these sound WONDERFUL!!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        April 23, 2015 at 6:53 pm

        Thanks so much, Chris :)

        Reply
    13. Laura (Tutti Dolci) says

      April 23, 2015 at 1:45 am

      What a fab salad, I love these flavors and the maple glazed walnuts sound so good!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        April 23, 2015 at 6:30 am

        Thanks so much, Laura :)

        Reply
    14. Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says

      April 22, 2015 at 3:34 pm

      I have a similar (less classy) salad like this for lunch nearly every day! I love your walnuts for this. So delicious!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        April 22, 2015 at 3:45 pm

        Thanks Katrina. Definitely recommend these maple-glazed walnuts - even just for snacking! :)

        Reply
    15. Jessica | A Happy Food Dance says

      April 22, 2015 at 11:01 am

      I want this salad for lunch! It has all my salad requirements- cheese, fruit, nuts, amazing dressing! I especially love the maple glazed walnuts - there's a salad I get for lunch a few times a week mostly because it has glazed walnuts! Beautiful Jennifer!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        April 22, 2015 at 1:08 pm

        Thanks Jessica :) It was a delicious combination!

        Reply
    16. Katalina @ Peas and Peonies says

      April 22, 2015 at 10:35 am

      Love this salad, the strawberries are their best right now, such a perfect addition to a green salad.

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        April 22, 2015 at 1:08 pm

        Thanks Katalina :)

        Reply
    17. Lynn | The Road to Honey says

      April 22, 2015 at 9:33 am

      I'm with you. . .watercress is always a nice touch in salads. And with the strawberries, balsamic glaze, maple glazed walnuts, and goat cheese. . .could this possibly be salad heaven? Love, love, love it!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        April 22, 2015 at 9:40 am

        Thanks Lynn and it sure felt like salad heaven when I was eating it ;)

        Reply
    18. Sarah | Broma Bakery says

      April 22, 2015 at 9:05 am

      Maple and goat cheese go hand in hand. Well, being a New Englander, maple and everything go hand in hand!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        April 22, 2015 at 9:14 am

        I agree Sarah! I can't get enough maple lately :)

        Reply

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