Strawberry-Chive Spinach Salad with Maple-Dijon Vinaigrette
A vibrant spring salad with sweet strawberries, peppery spinach, creamy goat cheese, and a tangy maple dressing. This american-inspired salads (vegan) ready in about 15 minutes pairs baby spinach, strawberries, goat cheese into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 5 oz baby spinach
- 1 cup strawberries
- 1/2 cup goat cheese
- 1/4 cup walnuts
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh chives
Instructions
- Step 1: Toast 1/4 cup walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3 minutes until fragrant, then chop coarsely. Toss 5 oz baby spinach with 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese and 1 cup sliced strawberries.
- Step 2: Whisk 2 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp white wine vinegar, and 3 tbsp olive oil in a small bowl until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Step 3: Drizzle 2/3 of the dressing over the salad, toss gently, and arrange on plates. Top with toasted walnuts and 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives. Drizzle remaining dressing over individual servings.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Strawberry-Chive Spinach Salad with Maple-Dijon Vinaigrette take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Strawberry-Chive Spinach Salad with Maple-Dijon Vinaigrette?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep baby spinach from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Strawberry-Chive Spinach Salad with Maple-Dijon Vinaigrette?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Strawberry-Chive Spinach Salad with Maple-Dijon Vinaigrette for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Strawberry-Chive Spinach Salad with Maple-Dijon Vinaigrette vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Restaurant quality! Can't believe how easy this was.
- ★★★★★
Best recipe I've made this month.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
