🥗 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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Instructions

🔪 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.

🍓 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.

🥑 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.

🍴 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.

🌱 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.

🍷 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.

✅ 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.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: N/A