Spinach and Berry Salad Bowl (Printable)

Fresh spinach meets sweet berries and creamy goat cheese in this vibrant bowl with tangy homemade dressing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad

01 - 5 oz fresh baby spinach
02 - 3.5 oz mixed fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
03 - 2 oz goat cheese, crumbled
04 - 1.75 oz toasted walnuts or pecans, roughly chopped
05 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced (optional)

→ Vinaigrette

06 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
07 - 1.5 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
08 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Wash and thoroughly dry the spinach leaves and berries.
02 - In a large salad bowl, combine the spinach, berries, goat cheese, nuts, and red onion if using.
03 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
04 - Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad just before serving.
05 - Toss gently to combine and serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • No cooking: Seriously, you can have this ready while your coffee is still warm.
  • The contrast is real: Creamy, crunchy, sweet, tangy, and peppery all at once in one bowl.
  • It gets better with the homemade vinaigrette: Store-bought dressing never hits the same once you taste how simple it is to make your own.
02 -
  • Dressing too early is the quickest way to ruin this: I learned this by making the whole thing an hour before guests arrived and watching the spinach turn into sad mush.
  • The vinaigrette needs a few seconds of vigorous whisking: That's when the mustard and oil actually become friends instead of just sitting next to each other.
03 -
  • Chill your bowl for five minutes before assembling: A cold bowl keeps everything crisp and fresh longer, especially on warm days.
  • If you're doubling this for a crowd, dress only what people will eat immediately: Keep the remaining components separate and combine just before the second round of eating.
Go Back