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Home » Summer Spinach Strawberry Pecan Salad

Summer Spinach Strawberry Pecan Salad

By Kim Hardesty

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Enjoy this spinach strawberry pecan salad with homemade balsamic dressing and a salty or tangy cheese brings salad to the next level. Each bite delivers earthy, sweet, tangy, salty and crunchy flavors.

Spinach strawberry pecan salad with feta cheese and homemade balsamic vinaigrette. #strawberrysalad #spinachsalad #spinachstrawberrysalad #lowcarb #keto #balsamicvinaigretterecipe

The arrival of warmer weather brings with it the promise of strawberry season. Who can resist the sweet-floral-almost spicy-tang of deep red strawberries fresh from the field? I know I can’t!

California is a big strawberry growing state, producing a whopping 83% of strawberries grown in the U.S. Our local roadside produce stands keep me in low carb red berry heaven from March to July.

I have used strawberries in several desserts on the site like strawberry shortcake, muffins, tarts, strawberry cream pie and crumble bars. But one of my favorite ways to enjoy them is in salads like this spinach strawberry pecan salad.

Strawberries, as well as blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, are the best low-sugar fruit options for low carb keto diets. Pairing a few sweet berries with crunchy nuts, and then adding a great salty cheese takes a regular salad to the next level.

Spinach Strawberry Pecan Salad

On Sundays, I start our weekly meal prep by washing lettuce and preparing our salad protein for the week. I often cook and slice a few pounds of herbed grilled chicken and make a delicious low carb salad dressing.

Spinach strawberry pecan salad with feta cheese and homemade balsamic vinaigrette.

Our favorite flavor profile this month is spinach strawberry pecan salad with homemade balsamic dressing. Strawberries and balsamic vinegar is classic pairing and the sweet crunch of pecans and earthy flavor of spinach all combine to create something wonderful.

Some recipes for this salad combination call for candied pecans. I love ‘em, but I think toasted pecans or even raw pecans are just as good. I toast them in the oven on a sheet pan at 350 degrees F until lightly browned and fragrant (or toaster oven) and use them throughout the week.

As far as cheese options for this delicious spinach strawberry pecan salad, salty and/or tangy varieties do well. We like feta cheese, goat cheese, or an aged cheese like Parmesan or Asiago.

Another dressing that would be great with this salad is this low carb raspberry vinaigrette recipe. 

If you like steak salad recipes, try this steak and plum salad with balsamic reduction. It’s another great flavor combination of beefy, peppery, sweet-tart and salty!

This Spinach Strawberry Pecan Salad is 7.5 net carbs per serving.

Spinach strawberry pecan salad with feta cheese and homemade balsamic vinaigrette.

Spinach Strawberry Pecan Salad with Homemade Balsamic Dressing

Enjoy this spinach strawberry pecan salad with homemade balsamic dressing and a salty or tangy cheese brings salad to the next level. Each bite delivers earthy, sweet, tangy, salty and crunchy flavors.
5 from 7 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 2
Calories: 524kcal

Ingredients

Salad

  • 6 oz baby spinach or spinach mix (170 g)
  • 4 oz grilled chicken, sliced
  • 3 oz strawberries, sliced
  • 1 ounce pecans (raw or toasted)
  • 1 ounce crumbled feta cheese
  • 2 tbsp red onion, thinly sliced

Vinaigrette Dressing (makes 1/2 cup)

  • 1/4 cup light olive oil (or avocado oil)
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 tbsp water
  • 2 tsp minced red onion
  • 1/2 tsp sweetener
  • 1/8 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 pinch each salt and pepper

Instructions

  • Mix the dressing and set aside. (I like to make the day before so the flavors develop.) 
  • Slice the chicken, strawberries and onions. 
  • Layer the ingredients in two bowls and pour the dressing over. 7.5 net carbs per salad.

Notes

Nutrition facts assuming all of the dressing is used. 
Nutrition Facts
Spinach Strawberry Pecan Salad with Homemade Balsamic Dressing
Amount Per Serving
Calories 524 Calories from Fat 378
% Daily Value*
Fat 42g65%
Carbohydrates 11.5g4%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 4.5g5%
Protein 27g54%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition

Calories: 524kcal | Carbohydrates: 11.5g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 42g | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4.5g

A knife with strawberry jelly on a jar of opened jelly in front of a blue napkin and a sliced loaf of bread on a cutting board.

Sugar Free Strawberry Jam

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No Bake Strawberry Tart with Goat Cheese

About Kim Hardesty

Kim HardestyKim is a self taught cook with over 30 years experience in the kitchen. She develops and tests low carb and keto recipes in her California home. She began her low carb journey in 2009 and at the urging of friends, started blogging in 2014. Kim shares delicious low carb and keto recipes no one would believe are sugar-free. Her recipes are featured in newsstand publications and on sites all over the internet.

View all posts by Kim Hardesty | Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest

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Filed Under: Chicken, Dinner, Lunch, Salads & Dressings Tagged With: No Bake, Under 30 Minutes

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  1. Avatarsue

    April 10, 2019 at 5:10 pm

    thank you for getting back to me so fast. you have no idea how important your recommendations are. thanks again………

    Reply
  2. Avatarsue

    April 9, 2019 at 5:07 pm

    the strawberry / pecan/ feta salad looks like a recipe I would love to try. one of our family members cannot have spinach. which salad green do you feel would compliment the rest of the ingredients? thank you

    Reply
    • KimKim

      April 9, 2019 at 5:28 pm

      Hi Sue. I would love this with arugula. -Kim

      Reply
  3. AvatarEric Berg

    May 13, 2018 at 4:08 pm

    Unlike the rest of the fruits, berries have a pretty low glycemic index and a low glycemic load, which differs from the glycemic index in that the former turns nutrients into sugar fast while the latter is how much carohydrates a food contains.

    For example, carrots have a high glycemic index but they have a low glycemic load because of all the fiber. Therefore, carrots don’t affect your blood sugars too much.

    Reply
    • KimKim

      May 13, 2018 at 8:15 pm

      Thanks for the great explanation, Eric. -Kim

      Reply
      • AvatarEric Berg

        May 20, 2018 at 5:59 pm

        Anytime Kim. Thank you for your comments

        Reply
  4. AvatarNicole

    May 6, 2018 at 9:29 pm

    I made this for dinner tonight and absolutely love it! Thanks for a great recipe!

    Reply
    • KimKim

      May 7, 2018 at 8:55 am

      I’m so happy you enjoyed the salad Nicole! -Kim

      Reply
  5. AvatarDiana Lopes

    April 25, 2018 at 11:14 am

    Looks super healthy and super tasty! Easy to make as well.

    Reply
    • KimKim

      April 25, 2018 at 11:18 am

      Thanks, Diana! -Kim

      Reply
  6. AvatarAdina

    April 18, 2018 at 11:33 am

    I adore this kind of salad, I have a chicken strawberry salad with greens I have been making for years, it is a must during every strawberry season. Your version is wonderful and you are right about the candied pecans, they taste just as good without the sugar and in this case, if the strawberries are good, they add enough sweetness anyway.

    Reply
  7. AvatarJovina

    April 15, 2018 at 1:47 pm

    Hi Kim
    Salad looks delicious but I don’t see how many pecans to add. did I miss it? Agree about not using candied ones.

    Reply
    • KimKim

      April 15, 2018 at 2:15 pm

      Nope, Jovina. I completely forgot to add it. I’ll do so now! It’s 1 ounce. -Kim

      Reply

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Kim HardestyHi, I'm Kim. I love coffee, steak, and love to bake. Are you looking for great Low Carb, Keto recipes that taste like the real thing? You're in the right place! Sign up for my NEWSLETTER and never miss a post!


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