Description
This vibrant Spinach & Strawberry Meal-Prep Salad combines fresh baby spinach, sweet strawberries, crunchy nuts, creamy feta, and a tangy homemade balsamic dressing. Perfect for quick, healthy lunches or light dinners, it can be prepped ahead and customized with optional add-ins like avocado or protein for a nutritious meal on the go.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 6 cups fresh baby spinach
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ½ cup sliced almonds or chopped pecans
- ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 avocado, diced (optional)
For the Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Produce: Wash and thoroughly dry the baby spinach and strawberries to remove all dirt and moisture for freshness.
- Slice Strawberries: Hull the strawberries by removing the green tops, then slice them thinly for even distribution in the salad.
- Slice Onion and Dice Avocado: Thinly slice the red onion for a mild pungency; dice avocado just before serving to prevent browning.
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until emulsified and smooth.
- Assemble Salad: Divide the baby spinach evenly among four meal-prep containers. Layer strawberries, crumbled feta, red onion slices, and nuts over the spinach.
- Store Avocado and Dressing Separately: Add avocado only before serving. Store the dressing in small airtight containers separately to keep salad crisp.
- Refrigerate: Keep all components refrigerated until ready to serve. Toss the salad with the dressing just before eating to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Keep the dressing separate to prevent the spinach from becoming soggy.
- Add grilled chicken, chickpeas, or quinoa for extra protein.
- Walnuts, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds make great nut alternatives.
- Store undressed salad components in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Add strawberries and avocado closer to serving time for the freshest texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad, Lunch, Meal Prep, Healthy Recipes
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
