A staple of the season, this healthy Summer Berry Spinach Salad is quick to throw together. Toss it with an easy homemade strawberry vinaigrette using avocado oil for a paleo-friendly dressing!
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Oh my word, friends! I feel like it’s been forever since we’ve chatted… I mean, it hasn’t even been a week since I shared my last post with you, but that is like, a 100 years in blog-speak. Especially when I really have been chomping at the bit to get back to this space again. With moving in throughout the weekend, our place is still looking like a tornado went through. Boxes still half unpacked, shit everywhere. Part of the problem is we ended up downsizing a little. It’s going to take me a little bit to figure out where to put everything, and/or buy more storage/shelves/those little organizational cube-things. Ugh, except I just really don’t want to buy those freaking things anymore, ya know?! I want REAL FURNITURE #old buutttt honestly it isn’t worth it for us to invest in real furniture with us just moving in a year to buy a house. Is anyone else in that dilemma? I really have the desire to make our place look all cute and homey (I gasp at all of the turquoise decor in Home Goods, World Market, etc.) but A. don’t want to spend the money right now and B. our new place is going to look odd no matter how hard I try to make it look cute. I’ll spare you the details on how I REALLY feel about our new place… but let’s just say I seriously miss my kitchen and dining room in PA…
Anywhos, how excited are we for ALL OF THE SUMMER PRODUCE?! I, for one, am super excited. I literally cannot wait for those Michigan summer strawberries. So juicy and flavorful. It’s a little early still, but I absolutely could not waste any time in bringing you a classic Michigan summer salad <– if you’re ever in Michigan, you’re bound to find a version of this salad at tons of restaurants, especially up North!
spinach
strawberries
blueberries
dried Michigan cherries
pecans
And to jazz it up a little bit I thought I’d share with you an easy, healthy strawberry vinaigrette recipe, just six ingredients, paleo and vegan-friendly!
strawberries
maple syrup
apple cider vinegar
avocado oil
salt
pepper
Avocado oil is a great substitute for extra virgin olive oil if you’re looking for a more subtle flavor. It also has a high smoke point (unlike extra virgin olive oil) so it is great for stir-frying, sauteing and baking.
All you need to make the dressing is a small food processor/blender, add all of the ingredients and blend until smooth! I have a NutriBullet* and it literally took 10 seconds to make, no joke.
The thing about store-bought fruit based vinaigrette’s is that I find they’re often too sweet for me. Making a homemade dressing like this one allows you to adjust the ingredients to your liking. This dressing really couldn’t be any easier, and made mostly with pantry staples! (Okay, maybe not the avocado oil for some, but it is definitely going to be a staple in my pantry now!)
Summer Berry Spinach Salad with Easy Strawberry Vinaigrette [ vegan, paleo ]
Ingredients
- 10 oz baby spinach
- 1 cup whole strawberries, quartered
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1/2 cup pecans (I used raw, but feel free to use your favorite)
- 1/2 cup dried cherries
strawberry vinaigrette
- 2 cups whole strawberries, quartered
- 3 TBS avocado oil
- 2 TBS raw apple cider vinegar
- 3 TBS grade b maple syrup (or to taste)
- salt & pepper to taste (I did about 1/2 tsp each)
Instructions
- Toss spinach, quartered strawberries, blueberries, pecans, and dried cherries in large bowl with spinach.
- To make the dressing: combine all ingredients in small blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Adjust sweetener, salt & pepper to your liking.
- Toss salad with dressing, or serve separately, enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Dressing yields about 1½ cups, store in jar in fridge up to 1 week.
Making this recipe? I would love to see it!
Tag @fitmittenkitchen and hashtag #fitmittenkitchen
This Summer Berry Spinach Salad would make a great side to bring to a backyard party. At least, that is what I will be bringing next round 😀
Let’s Chat
- What summer produce are you MOST excited for?
- Anyone feel me on the furniture dilemma?
Have a great day, friends! I am off to Chicago today to take part in the NOW Foods Influencer Immersion! Super pumped to take a behind-the-scenes look at one of my favorite brands! #NOWGetFit <3
making something from FMK? Tag me so I can have a looksee 
…
I LOVE seeing what you’ve made.
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Gorgeous!! And so happy to have you back 😉 I totally know what you mean by how it feels like so much longer. But you had lots going on, and its all good!! But for reals, this is beautiful. So fresh and so many flavors!! Look out Panera ;D
Thanks Christina! I’ve missed you guys so much 😉 <3 I will go pitch my salad to Panera right now.
I love buying cantaloupe! Oh and we bought a watermelon last weekend. Soooo good!
Oohhh watermelon yes! I love when you bust open a juicy watermelon. Although I hate cutting them, always feel like I am gonna chop my hand off!
This is my faaavorite salad! I always get so excited when I see a salad like this on a menu, especially in the summer because everything is SO fresh and flavorful!!
Right?! I wanted to name it “Michigan Summer Salad” 😉 But I always go for this salad on a menu. I love it with gorgonzola and a balsamic dressing too!
Gorgeous as always! This is sooooo perfect for summer ,love all of that fresh fruit! I love watermelon so much and could probs eat a whole one in a day
Watermelon is rather tasty! Especially when you pick the perfect one.
Thanks Rachel 🙂
Oh my, these photos are gorgeous!! I want a big bowl of this salad, I LOVE fruity salads with crunchy nuts!
The summer produce I’m the most excited about? Asparagus, rhubarb and berries! Especially raspberry 🙂
Thank so much Stella!
I’d have to agree with the berries 😀
i am so turned off by the store bought fruity dressings because they taste SO fake. i want that real shizzz. I’m super excited for peaches this summer! they’re by far my favorite part.
Oh peaches! I forget about those, oops. I think they aren’t my favorite because I grew up often having canned peaches for “dessert” at my grandparent’s house (with loads of cool whip of course).
Avocado oil?!?! I NEED this in my life. Is the flavor like olive oil or is it less “salty”?
Totally less salty! You should seriously try it. 🙂
I soooo know what you mean about “REAL” furniture. But since we move every 2 years (UGH) it’s like not even worth buying nice stuff because it just gets dinged up and scratched. Sigh – someday! Girl, I know I’ve said it like a bajillion times but seriously your photos are AMAZING! Like rival all the top-notch food bloggers out there. Major jealous vibes over here….
You’re too kind Chrissa! Definitely not top-notch but I truly appreciate your compliments. I’d be more than happy to help you out! I am no expert by any means, but I’d love to answer any questions you have 🙂 <3
Hi!,
This salad looks amazing! I don’t care for dried cherries, do you think cranberries would be good?
Absolutely Donna! Cranberries would work just fine 😀
I love adding pecans to salads! So creamy and crunchy at the same time!
Yes! I love that added texture 😀
I am loving the sound of your vinaigrette! I love strawberries in salads on their own but this looks extra delicious!
Thanks so much Kristy. The vinaigrette is so easy 🙂
It’s amazing how time can pass by so QUICKLY in blog speak. Even if I publish a post a couple days in a row, I feel like it’s been forever, when it’s only been 24 hours. And this sounds SO good. I love the flavor of strawberries, and a vinaigrette with them sounds like the added ‘cherry’ on top. 😉
Thanks Emily, my MIL loved the dressing when we had her over for dinner the other week 🙂
Salads like these are one of the best parts of summer 🙂 This vinaigrette sounds amazing, Ashley!
Thanks Ellen! It is so easy and healthy 🙂
I am SUCH a huge fan of fruity green salads for summer! I love Les’ kale summer salad, and I’m sure I would love this one just as much. I love when my blogging friends make the BEST recipes. 😉
I should have had you make my vinaigrette at the event. I just dumped a bunch of pepper and oil in it. It was atrocious.
LOL oh my gosh Erin, that is hysterical. I mean not really, but honestly I didn’t care for mine either, I blame the lemon! :-p