A bright and colorful salad filled with fresh flavors! This Mixed Berry & Walnut Salad is filled with fresh strawberries, blueberries, spinach, arugula, and crushed walnuts. It is the perfect Spring salad. Tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette and topped with feta cheese, this salad will become a fan favorite!

jump-start into Spring!

With Spring in full force, fresh ingredients are the way to go! From berries to leafy greens, Springtime is one of the best seasons for cooking. Walking through the grocery store this time of year is one of my favorite things to do. The recipe ideas just flow so much easier!

Making my meals is a necessity during this season, salads especially. My Mixed Berry and Walnut Salad is the perfect way to bring in this season! Whether I need a simple lunch or a show-stopping starter, this salad is perfect every time!

Why make a salad?

I know that some people consider salads rabbit food, but salads have come a LONG way over the last decade. There are certain places that make enormous sums of money from just making customized salads. The way that the food industry has elevated a simple mixture of ingredients is amazing to see.

Fine dining restaurants have transformed the plating and construction of salads in ways some of us could not even imagine. This means that the $35.00 salad that you might see on a menu isn’t just chopped lettuce on a plate.

Salads are the perfect way of combining the everyday nutrients that you need on one plate! You can literally add so many different food groups to your plate and make it suitable for your dietary needs.

Mixed Berry & Walnut Ingredients

Let’s walk through each ingredient so you understand its importance. These ingredients are really easy to work with and find in your local grocery store. It’s the perfect season for a lot of these ingredients as well.

• Fresh Greens: I used to never be a fan of salads until I had a really good one. I used fresh Spinach and Arugula in this recipe. The spinach has a mild and slightly sweet flavor which helps to balance out the bitter Arugula leaves. 

• Fresh Berries: This is a great Spring salad. Berries are in season which means they are of better quality and in abundance. I used fresh strawberries and blueberries. They are both sweet and their colors pop against the greens. 

• Carrots: I added some shredded carrots for added texture and color. This salad is supposed to be vibrant and colorful. Plus, carrots are filled with vitamins and minerals. 

• Feta Cheese: Feta has a bold personality. It is tangy and salty with a slight lemon flavor. It is a mixture of sheep and goat milk. It crumbles really nicely over the salad and goes great with the fruit. 

• Walnuts: Nuts add great texture to salads! I used crumbled walnuts for this recipe. Walnuts have a mild flavor with a slight bite. Plus, walnuts are rich in antioxidants and Omega-3s. 

• Grilled Chicken: I added some cubed chicken to my own plate for some added protein. It is totally optional though. Feel free to bake, grill, saute, or poach your chicken if you decide to use it!

• Balsamic Vinegar: Balsamic Vinegar rich in bitterness and sweetness. I think berries and balsamic vinegar go great together. I used the vinegar to make the balsamic vinaigrette. 

• EVOO: I used extra virgin olive oil to make the vinaigrette. EVOO is richer in flavor than regular olive oil. It adds some depth to the vinaigrette. 

• Honey or Brown Sugar: To counteract some of the acidity of the vinegar I added something sweet. I either go for honey or brown sugar depending on what I have in the house. 

• Dijon Mustard: The Dijon mustard is not only added for flavor but also its emulsifying components. Dijon mustard has the ability to hold other liquids together that would otherwise not combine. 

• Dried Thyme: I love adding herbs to vinaigrettes for some added earthy flavor. The thyme can either be freshly chopped or dried. Both work beautifully. 

• Kosher Salt & Ground Black Pepper: You have to season your vinaigrette! This recipe is seasoned to taste with salt and pepper. Both add some flavor while helping to balance out the rest of the ingredients.  

How to Make a Mixed Berry & Walnut Salad

This salad screams Spring Time and fresh ingredients. It has many different textures and flavors that will send your tastebuds soaring! Get a plate while you can! This salad will become everyone’s favorite!

The full written recipe is below, but here’s an overview.

• Step 1: Prep the Greens. Begin by removing any wilted spinach and arugula leaves. Rinse the greens in a colander under cold water to remove any dirt or sand. 

• Step 2: Dry & Hold. Dry the greens completely and hold them cold in the refrigerator. 

• Step 3: Prep the Vinaigrette. In a small mixing bowl, add the balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey or brown sugar, and dried thyme. Whisk the ingredients together. 

• Step 4: Make the Emulsion. While whisking, add the EVOO slowly until the dressing vinaigrette comes together. Season to taste with kosher salt and ground black pepper. 

• Step 5: Dress the Greens & Berries. In another bowl, add the greens and berries. Drizzle about half of the dressing over the greens and berries. The greens should be lightly coated. 

• Step 6: Add Remaining Toppings & Toss. Toss the salad and plate immediately. Top with shredded carrots, feta cheese, walnuts, and chicken (optional). Serve immediately with extra dressing on the side as desired. Enjoy!

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

• To Make Ahead. Do Not Dress the Salad until you are about 5 - 10 minutes from serving. You don’t want a dressed salad to just be sitting for long periods of time. If you can easily mix the salad without the dressing the night or day before and dress it the next day.

• To Store. Store leftover, undressed salad in the refrigerator. The salad should last between 3 - 5 days undressed. The vinaigrette is a temporary emulsion so you will have to keep it cool and shake it up when ready to use.

I’d love to hear your feedback about this Simple Mixed Berry & Walnut Salad! Leave me a message in the comments section below. Remember to share and enjoy! Follow Be Greedy Eats on Pinterest and Instagram as well!

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