Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad with Maple Balsamic Dressing

There’s just something about a fresh salad on a warm Tucson day that feels so refreshing and comforting at the same time. Around here, when the Arizona heat starts creeping in, heavy meals slowly disappear from my kitchen and colorful fresh dishes start showing up more often on the table.

This Strawberry Spinach Salad has become one of those recipes I keep coming back to over and over again. It’s simple, beautiful, packed with flavor, and somehow feels a little fancy without being complicated. The sweet strawberries, salty bacon, creamy feta, and tangy maple balsamic dressing all come together in the best way.

I especially love making this for lunch on busy weekdays or serving it alongside grilled chicken when family comes over. It reminds me that good food doesn’t always have to be complicated to feel special. Sometimes the simplest ingredients create the sweetest moments together.

And honestly, I think God gives us little reminders of joy in colorful everyday things too — fresh fruit, shared meals, laughter around the table, and quiet moments in the kitchen. Psalm 34:8 says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good,” and recipes like this always make me think of that verse.

---

This Strawberry Spinach Salad is fresh, sweet, savory, and loaded with texture. The homemade maple balsamic dressing adds the perfect balance of sweetness and tang that ties everything together beautifully.

Ingredients:

• 5 cups baby spinach

• 1 pint strawberries (about 2 cups)

• 1 cup red onion

• 3/4 cup feta cheese

• 1/2 cup bacon

Maple Balsamic Dressing:

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

• 2 tsp maple syrup

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1/8 tsp black pepper

---

Instructions:

1. Whisk dressing ingredients until smooth.

2. Add spinach, strawberries, onion, feta, bacon to bowl.

3. Drizzle dressing just before serving.

4. Toss gently until coated.

That maple balsamic dressing is truly the magic here. It’s sweet without being overpowering and gives the salad that restaurant-style flavor while still tasting homemade and fresh.

This salad pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, sandwiches, soups, or even a simple weeknight pasta dish. It’s also perfect for baby showers, church lunches, Easter dinners, Mother’s Day brunches, or summer cookouts.

And if your family is anything like mine, don’t expect leftovers.

---

• Add the dressing right before serving so the spinach stays crisp.

• Freshly cooked bacon gives the best flavor and texture.

• Candied pecans or sliced almonds make a delicious extra topping.

• Crumbled goat cheese also works beautifully if you don’t have feta.

• This salad feels fancy enough for guests but easy enough for busy weekdays.