Vegan Strawberry Spinach Salad

How to hull strawberries

Using a small sharp knife at an angle, cut around the green leafy top of a strawberry while cutting into the white flesh underneath.  Remove the cone and wash the strawberries.

Salad dressing tips

The vegan spinach salad dressing uses blended strawberries, making the dressing creamy without the need for oil.  If your strawberries aren’t as sweet as you’d like, you might want to add a little maple syrup.  The recipe calls for a diced shallot that you’ll soften in lemon juice and balsamic vinegar.  The acids will soften the strong and pungent taste of the shallot but allow some of its delicate onion flavor to come through.

Tips

• The vinaigrette can be made in advance, making this salad come together in minutes.  
• Wait until you are ready to serve before adding the dressing to the greens.   
• Pecans can be substituted with walnuts or sliced almonds, and toasting them adds depth of flavor.
• If the raw red onion is too strong for you: let the slices soak in lemon juice for about 10-15 minutes, drain the lemon juice, gently pat dry, and add to the salad.

Variations

• Add your favorite grains to make it more of a meal.
• Use any greens, like mixed salad greens, arugula, spinach, or kale.
• For a nut-free option, try sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.
• Instead of raw red onions, try spicy pickled red onions. Leave out the serrano chilies to skip the heat.

Instructions

Use spinach, mixed greens, or even some arugula for the recipe.  Toast pecans or walnuts for about 3-5 minutes in a pan until fragrant and lightly golden.  Toasting brings out their flavor and adds a nice crunch to the vegan spinach salad.  

Then, add sliced or cubed avocado for creaminess and red onions for a little bite to counter the sweetness from the strawberries.  Hull the strawberries, wash them, pat them dry, and then slice them before adding them to the salad.  Next, drizzle on a homemade oil-free strawberry vinaigrette; it’s sweet, tangy, and simple.  

Related recipes

• Summer berry salad (uses fresh berries, cinnamon, and apple juice)
• Vegan fruit salad (uses a variety of fruits with lime zest and juice)
• Zesty quinoa salad
• Spicy pickled red onions