Winter Berry Spinach Salad (Printable)

A fresh blend of spinach, mixed winter berries, nuts, and a citrus vinaigrette for a bright, cold-season dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad

01 - 5 oz baby spinach leaves, washed and dried
02 - 1 cup mixed winter berries (cranberries, blueberries, pomegranate seeds, raspberries)
03 - ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
04 - ½ cup toasted walnuts or pecans, roughly chopped
05 - ½ small red onion, thinly sliced

→ Citrus Vinaigrette

06 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 2 tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice
08 - 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
09 - 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
10 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Whisk together olive oil, orange juice, balsamic vinegar, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
02 - In a large bowl, mix spinach, mixed berries, red onion, and toasted nuts evenly.
03 - Drizzle citrus vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat all elements uniformly.
04 - Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top and serve immediately as a starter or side dish.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The tart-sweet berries cut through the earthy spinach in a way that feels like a little flavor surprise in every bite
  • It comes together in about 15 minutes, which means you can have a stunning salad on the table faster than you'd think
  • The citrus vinaigrette is bright and light enough that it lets each ingredient shine without weighing anything down
02 -
  • Wet spinach is the enemy of a good salad—this is the one step where taking your time really pays off. Invest in a salad spinner if you eat greens often
  • The dressing is best made just before serving, but if you need to get ahead, dress the spinach and berries separately and combine them at the last minute
  • The type of berries you choose will change the personality of this salad, so don't be afraid to experiment with what's seasonal and looks beautiful
03 -
  • If your berries are very large, give them a rough chop so they distribute more evenly throughout the salad
  • Whisk your vinaigrette right before serving for the silkiest, most emulsified result
  • The contrast between the cold, crisp ingredients and the bright, tangy dressing is what makes this sing, so serve it immediately after tossing

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