20-Minute Power Lunch: Balsamic Berry Spinach Salad with Feta Recipe

          ⬇️ Skip the Pep Talk, Give Me the Dressing! (Recipe Jump)          

The Delicious Proof That Healthy Doesn't Mean Boring

   

Look, I know what you’re thinking. A spinach salad? How groundbreaking. But forget the sad, soggy desk lunches you’ve endured. This is the Healthy Mixed Berry Spinach Salad - a recipe designed to make your taste buds actually enjoy doing something good for your body.   

This salad is a texture party: creamy cheese, crunchy nuts, plump mixed berry sweetness, and a mountain of fresh spinach. But the real star? The homemade Balsamic Honey Vinaigrette. It's rich, perfectly balanced between sweet and tangy, and dangerously addictive. It transforms a simple bowl of superfood greens into a genuinely compelling meal.

The simple combination of oil, vinegar, and honey delivers maximum flavor impact.

   

The Perfect Balance of Sweet and Tangy

   

Why Spinach is Superior to Lettuce

   

We choose spinach over regular lettuce for two reasons: flavour and fortitude. It holds up beautifully under the weight of the fruit and dressing, and its slightly earthy flavour balances the sweetness of the mixed berry combination. Plus, spinach brings the serious healthy credentials, loaded with iron and vitamins.

   

The 30-Second Vinaigrette Secret

The dressing is ridiculously easy—it’s just a quick shake in a jar. Key advice: you must adjust the sweetener (honey or maple syrup) precisely to match the tartness of your berries. The simple emulsified shine is key, giving the dressing a beautiful finish that makes the final dish look infinitely fancier than it is.

   

           

Mixed Berry & Spinach Salad with Feta & Balsamic Honey Dressing

     

        A bright, crunchy, and healthy vegetarian salad perfect for lunch or a light dinner.      

     

       
• Prep: 15 mins
       
• Cook: 0 mins
       
• Servings: 4
     

     

Ingredients

     

For the Salad:

     

       
• 3 large handfuls fresh baby spinach
       
• 125g mixed berry assortment (I used blueberries and cranberries)
       
• 100g crumbled feta or goat cheese (optional)
       
• 50g walnuts (optional) 
     

     

For the Dressing:

     

       
• 1tbsp olive oil
       
• 1 tbsp water
       
• 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup (for vegan option)
       
• 2 tsp balsamic vinegar
       
• Salt and black pepper to taste
     

     

Instructions

     

       
1. Make Dressing: In a small jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine all dressing ingredients: olive oil, water, honey (or maple syrup, if using), balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Shake vigorously until well-emulsified. Taste and adjust sweetness/tartness as desired.
       
2. Prepare Salad: In a large bowl, combine the spinach, mixed berries and toasted nuts. 
       
3. Toss and Serve: Just before serving, drizzle the desired amount of  dressing over the salad. Gently toss to combine. Add crumbled cheese to the top after tossing, or serve on the side.
     

   

   

Salad Victory Achieved!

This dish is proof that quick meals don't have to be bland. This spinach salad is proof that minimal effort yields maximum flavour rewards. Enjoy your superfood power lunch

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