An easy spinach strawberry salad recipe made with fresh strawberries, grilled tofu, and vegan feta. The perfect combination of salty, savory, & sweet flavors!
A traditional spinach strawberry salad is good, but this vegan variation is absolutely fantastic. It's a flavorful explosion that's bright and refreshing and has become a spring/summer staple in our house.
If you love strawberries be sure to check out these recipes too;
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Spinach strawberry salad ingredients
- Grilled tofu
- Spinach
- Arugula
- Strawberries
- Shallots
- Pistachos
- Pecans
- Vegan Feta (I used Follow Your Heart)
- Pomegranate balsamic vinegar (or balsamic vinegar of choice)
Tips for making the best strawberry spinach salad
- Cooking tofu: if grilling tofu on a grill use a grill pan for best results. Alternatively, use a griddle on the stovetop.
- Let the tofu breathe: When grilling the tofu be sure to give it room! Keeping the pieces really close together or stacking them will result in less crispy and less flavorful tofu bites.
- Fresh ingredients: fresh strawberries and fresh greens are vital to a crisp and bright salad with bold and refreshing flavors.
Variations and substitutions
Grilled tofu: textured vegetable protein may be an OK replacement, but I highly recommend using the grilled tofu for best results. Skip for a less filling side dish salad.
Greens: spinach & arugula are the best combo for this dish, however massaged kale may also work well. If you aren't a fan of arugula feel free to skip and add more spinach.
Strawberries: they are the hero ingredient of this dish, don't skip them! Feel free to add fresh blueberries and/or pomegranate seeds for additional sweetness.
Shallots: shallots add a bit of zing with a hint of sweetness. Red onion can also be used, the salad will have a bit of sharper bite to it but will still be delicious!
Nuts: pistachios, pecans, walnuts, almonds, & cashews all work well in this dish. Use your favorite. For a nut-free option add pumpkin or hemp seeds.
Vegan feta cheese: the feta adds additional savory flavors, a bit of saltiness and just pairs perfectly with the rest of the ingredients (especially the sweetness of the strawberries). Sliced or diced avocado is also a great alternative!
Balsamic: I love pomegranate balsamic vinegar on this strawberry salad, but feel free or substitute with any fruity balsamic or with traditional balsamic.
How to store salad ingredients
Store the grilled tofu in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Reheat on the stovetop before adding to leftovers, do not microwave (it causes the tofu to become soggy vs. crispy).
Greens of the salad can be prepared and stored in the fridge for up to a week as long as the greens have been dried well.
Do not store sliced strawberries. Wash, dry, and slice directly before serving.
📋 Recipe
Easy Spinach Strawberry Salad with Balsamic
Equipment
- cutting board + knife
- grill or griddle
- mixing bowl + measuring spoons
Ingredients
Grilled Tofu
- 1 15 oz extra-firm tofu
- 1 teaspoon arrowroot flour
- ½ teaspoon EACH of salt, pepper and garlic powder
- 1-2 tablespoons avocado oil (for the griddle)
Salad
- 2 cups spinach
- 1 cup arugula
- 1-2 large strawberries, thinly sliced
- 1 shallot, sliced
- handful of each pistachios & chopped pecans
- vegan feta (I used Follow Your Heart, or sub with diced avocado)
- pomegranate balsamic vinegar (or sub balsamic vinegar)
Instructions
- Prepare & grill tofu: Remove & drain tofu. Pat the block of tofu with a dish cloth to remove excess water. Dice into bite sized pieces and toss into a bowl with arrowroot, salt, pepper and garlic. Warm a grill or stovetop griddle over medium heat. Drizzle with avocado oil. If using a griddle, add avocado oil once warm, then add tofu. Cook (without disturbing) for 3-4 minutes then toss and repeat as needed until crisp and charred. *be sure to give the tofu pieces space when cooking, do not stack pieces for best results.
- Prepare greens: wash and pat dry spinach and arugula. Toss together in a salad bowl.
- Prepare and add additional ingredients: top with strawberries, shallots, pistachios, pecans, vegan feta, & the grilled tofu. Drizzle with balsamic and enjoy! The measurements are just to use as a guide, do whatever feels right for you when creating your delicious masterpiece.
Notes
If you made this easy strawberry spinach salad with balsamic, let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
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