🥗 Weekly Obsession Summer Salad
✨ Description
Made this summer salad once… now it’s a weekly obsession! A refreshing mix of greens, juicy strawberries, creamy avocado, tangy feta, and crunchy pecans, all drizzled with a light homemade balsamic vinaigrette. It’s everything you want in a summer bite—light, sweet, savory, and satisfying. Add grilled chicken or shrimp to make it a full meal!
📝 Ingredients
Salad:
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1 cup arugula
- ½ cup sliced strawberries
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup toasted pecans
- ½ avocado, sliced
- 1 tbsp red onion, thinly sliced
- Optional: grilled chicken or shrimp for added protein
Dressing:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp honey
- ½ tsp Dijon mustard
- Salt & pepper to taste
🍳 Instructions
- Toast the Pecans (if not already toasted):
In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast pecans for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Let cool. - Make the Dressing:
In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified. - Assemble the Salad:
In a large bowl, layer baby spinach, arugula, strawberries, feta, toasted pecans, avocado slices, and red onion. - Add Protein (Optional):
Top with grilled chicken or shrimp if using. - Dress & Toss:
Drizzle with the dressing just before serving. Toss gently to combine.
🍽️ Servings
- Serves 2 as a main dish
- Serves 3–4 as a side salad
💡 Notes & Tips
- Use a mix of baby spinach and arugula for balance: spinach adds body, arugula adds peppery kick.
- Don’t add the dressing until just before serving to keep the greens fresh.
- For vegan option: use vegan feta and maple syrup instead of honey.
- Swap strawberries with blueberries or sliced peaches for variation.
- Add quinoa for extra texture and protein boost.
- If meal-prepping, store dressing separately and add avocado right before eating.
🧮 Nutritional Info (Per Serving – without added protein)
- Calories: ~260
- Protein: ~6g
- Carbohydrates: ~13g
- Sugars: ~7g
- Fat: ~22g
- Fiber: ~5g
- Sodium: ~250mg
Values are approximate and vary with ingredient brands.
🥦 Health Benefits
- Spinach & Arugula: Loaded with vitamins A, C, K, and folate, great for skin and bone health.
- Strawberries: High in antioxidants and vitamin C, supports immune function.
- Avocado: Healthy fats for brain and heart, plus fiber to aid digestion.
- Feta Cheese: Adds calcium and tang without too much fat.
- Pecans: Good source of healthy fats and magnesium.
- Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinegar: Heart-healthy and anti-inflammatory.
❓ Q&A
Q: Can I prep this salad ahead of time?
A: Yes! Just leave off the avocado and dressing until you’re ready to serve so everything stays fresh.
Q: What protein pairs best with this?
A: Grilled chicken, shrimp, or even pan-seared tofu are all excellent.
Q: Is this salad gluten-free?
A: Yes, all listed ingredients are naturally gluten-free. Just double-check any store-bought feta or dressing components.
Q: Can I make this nut-free?
A: Swap pecans for pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds for a nut-free crunch.
Let me know if you want a printable card, meal prep containers suggestion, or a low-calorie dressing alternative!