Easy Strawberry Avocado Salad Recipe with Spinach and Balsamic Glaze

Fresh, vibrant strawberry avocado salad with spinach, sesame, and balsamic glaze. A sweet-savory, easy spring salad ready in minutes!

Let me paint you a picture: it’s warm outside, your hair is sticking to your forehead (but in a whimsical, not sweaty way), and you're craving something fresh—but not boring. Something that makes your tastebuds feel like they’re at a music festival for produce.

Enter: this Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad with Poppy Seeds, Sesame, and a Balsamic Glaze Drizzle. She’s fresh. She’s flirty. She’s the Beyoncé of salads.

This is flavor contrast turned all the way u

This isn’t your average side salad with a couple sad cherry tomatoes. No ma’am. This is flavor contrast turned all the way up—sweet strawberries, creamy avocado, crunchy sesame seeds, peppery spinach, all kissed by that tangy-sweet balsamic glaze.

Let’s get you a bowl of that magic.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes (no cooking required)
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings/Yield: 2–4 servings (as a side salad or light lunch)

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🥗 What You’ll Need: Ingredients for Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad

Serves 2–3 (or just you, if it's that kind of day)

• 4 cups baby spinach
• 1 ripe avocado, sliced
• 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (white or black—or go wild and do both)
• 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
• 2–3 tablespoons balsamic glaze (store-bought or homemade)
• Optional: crumbled feta or goat cheese, chopped walnuts or pecans

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🔪 Step-by-Step: How to Make Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad (with Extra Detail!)

🥬 1. Prep Your Greens Like a Pro

Start with 4 cups of fresh baby spinach. Give the leaves a thorough rinse under cool water, especially if they’re unwashed. Use a salad spinner or gently pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel—damp leaves can dilute flavor and make the dressing slide off. If the spinach leaves are large or tough, tear them into bite-sized pieces so you don’t end up slapping your face with a whole leaf mid-bite.

💡 Pro Tip: Want extra crunch? Toss in a handful of chopped romaine or arugula for contrast.

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🍓 2. Slice the Strawberries

Hull 1 cup of fresh strawberries (that means removing the leafy top and the white core beneath it). Slice them into thin rounds or vertical halves—whichever feels fancy to you. Aim for slices about ¼ inch thick so they hold up well and don’t get mushy in the bowl.

💡 Flavor Boost: Sprinkle a pinch of salt on the strawberries after slicing. Sounds weird, but it wakes up their natural sweetness.

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🥑 3. Get the Avocado Just Right

Choose a ripe avocado that gives slightly when you press on the skin. Cut it lengthwise around the pit, twist to open, then carefully remove the pit (safely, please—no avocado injuries today). Scoop the flesh from the skin using a spoon and place flat-side down. Slice into thin, even strips, about ¼ inch wide.

💡 Prevent Browning: If you're prepping ahead, lightly toss avocado slices in lemon juice to keep them vibrant green.

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🍴 4. Build Your Salad

In a large serving bowl or on a shallow platter, spread the baby spinach to form a bed. Gently fan out the strawberry slices and avocado over the greens. This salad looks gorgeous when styled a little—like it came from a cozy café that charges $17 a bowl.

💡 Visual Wow: Layer avocado slices in curved lines and tuck strawberry rounds between them for a pop of color.

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🌱 5. Sprinkle the Seeds

Add 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds and 1 teaspoon of poppy seeds over the top. This combo adds nutty depth and a subtle crunch that balances the softness of the avocado and strawberries.

✨ Optional Add-Ins: Crumbled feta or goat cheese, chopped toasted pecans or walnuts, or a handful of microgreens for restaurant-level flair.

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🍷 6. Drizzle with Balsamic Glaze

Using a spoon or squeeze bottle, drizzle 2–3 tablespoons of balsamic glaze over the entire salad in a zigzag pattern. Start with less—balsamic glaze is bold and sweet—and add more to taste.

💡 Homemade Option: You can make your own by simmering balsamic vinegar with a splash of honey until thick and syrupy. Cool before using.

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✅ Final Assembly Tip:

Serve immediately while everything is fresh and vibrant. If you’re not serving right away, wait to add the avocado and glaze until the last moment to keep things crisp and beautiful.

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🤯 Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overdressing: Balsamic glaze is potent—you want a drizzle, not a syrup bath.
• Unripe Avocado: Rock-hard avocado = sadness. Pick one that yields slightly to pressure.
• Wet spinach: Always dry your greens to avoid a watered-down flavor situation.

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🥑 Ingredient Variations & Seasonal Twists

Vegan version: Skip the cheese or swap in a vegan feta or avocado-only base.

Gluten-free: This salad is naturally gluten-free! Just double-check any packaged balsamic glaze.

Add protein: Grilled chicken, chickpeas, or even quinoa can make it a full meal.

Seasonal swaps:

• In fall, sub strawberries for sliced pears or apples.
• In winter, try dried cranberries and mandarin slices.
• In spring/summer, peaches or raspberries are chef’s kiss.

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🍷 How to Serve & What to Pair It With

• As a starter to a grilled dinner: think balsamic-glazed salmon or rosemary chicken.
• Tuck it into a mason jar for next-day lunch (just keep the dressing separate until serving).
• Pair with a crisp rosé or lemony sparkling water for that al fresco lifestyle.
• Serve on a platter with crostini and cheeses as part of a brunch or picnic spread.

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💬 Final Thoughts + Try This and Tell Me Your Fave Topping!

This salad is like that friend who always shows up in a great outfit and smells amazing—but doesn’t make a big deal about it. It’s easy, elegant, and endlessly adaptable. Whether you’re throwing it together for a solo lunch or impressing guests at your next shindig, it always delivers.

👉 Try it out and let me know: What’s your favorite topping combo? Feta and walnuts? Goat cheese and pecans? Something wild like pickled onions?

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❓FAQ: Troubleshooting + Tips

Q: Can I make this salad ahead of time?
A: Yes—just wait to add the avocado and glaze until right before serving.

Q: Can I use a different green than spinach?
A: Totally. Arugula gives a peppery kick, and baby kale adds extra nutrients.

Q: What if I don’t have balsamic glaze?
A: You can reduce regular balsamic vinegar on the stove with a touch of honey until thickened. Or cheat and just drizzle balsamic and olive oil.

Other Salad recipe for your enjoyment

Avocado cucumber salad >  avocado cucumber salad is a great option for a quick and easy meal.
Ratatouille Pasta Salad >  a delightful and vibrant dish that embodies the ease of preparation while delivering a mouthwatering combination of flavors and textures.
Green Bean Salad with Tomatoes & Feta > This vibrant and nutritious dish features crisp green beans, juicy tomatoes, and creamy feta cheese

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