Fresh Blackberry Spinach Summer Salad with Feta and Walnuts
Whenever I spot the first blackberries of the season at the market, it’s a signal that warmer days are coming. I usually bring home a carton with no real plan, just the idea of using them in something fresh. A salad like this is often where they end up, because their sweet, slightly tart flavor pairs so naturally with greens and a few good toppings.
This spinach blackberry salad is built on simple, thoughtful ingredients that work well together. Baby spinach provides a soft base, while cherry tomatoes add brightness and red onions bring a gentle bite. Crumbled feta gives the salad a creamy, salty balance, and toasted walnuts add a bit of nuttiness and crunch. When you scatter the glossy berries across the greens, the whole bowl becomes a feast for the eyes and the palate.
The dressing follows the same easy approach. A quick strawberry champagne vinaigrette adds just enough sweetness and acidity to bring everything together without overwhelming the fresh ingredients. It has a light, fresh quality that keeps the salad feeling crisp and balanced. The strawberries echo the berries in the salad while the champagne vinegar keeps the flavor bright.
Meals like this remind me of the simple joys of seasonal cooking. There’s nothing complicated happening here, just good ingredients assembled with a little care. The result feels fresh and generous, with a quiet bit of panache that makes it just as welcome on a weeknight table as it is at a relaxed gathering with friends.
100 Salads Challenge – Salad #2
I love all berries and so naturally, I started looking for berry based salads early on in my challenge. Blackberry Spinach Salad has become an easy favorite—full of flavor, texture, and color, it feels indulgent but fits right into my healthy routine. The strawberry champagne dressing was a happy Walmart discovery that turned a simple salad into something I actually craved.
How to Make Blackberry Spinach Salad this Summer
A fresh spinach blackberry salad is one of those dishes that feels both simple and elegant. Sweet blackberries, juicy cherry tomatoes, sharp red onion, creamy feta, and toasted walnuts create a mix of textures and flavors that balance each other beautifully. A bright strawberry champagne dressing ties everything together with a lightly sweet and tangy finish.
Ingredients
Salad
- 5–6 cups baby spinach
- 1 cup fresh blackberries
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
- ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- ½ cup walnuts
- Salt and black pepper to taste (optional)
Strawberry Champagne Dressing
- ¼ cup fresh strawberries, finely chopped or mashed
- 2 tablespoons champagne vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ cup olive oil
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
