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Spinach berry salad with lemon dressing…it seems so simple but then when you get that perfect bite with spinach, berry, and brown sugar almonds, a light lemon dressing, good mercy!
Remember that one time when spinach salad was healthy? Well we now it has brown sugar almonds and a sweet dressing full of sugar to ruin it for ya. Ha! Actually it’s still healthier than let’s say a Caesar salad, but you get the point.
Seriously, we looooove this salad. My cousin, Robyn brought it to a family get together and days later we were still talking about it. We had it for dinner one night and had the leftovers for lunch the next day. Sweet deliciousness!! I love a good salad recipe. Especially during the summer when you just want something light to eat or a good idea to take to a BBQ or potluck.
A photo of a large ceramic white bowl full of spinach berry salad topped with brown sugar almonds and blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries.
We honestly are obsessed with the dressing. I’ve never felt this way about salad dressing before and although I do feel guilty about the amount of sugar that goes into it I still won’t give it up. Like, ever. I’ll eat salad every single day just to drizzle this dressing over it. And it’s so simple, lemons, a little oil and ginger, gobs of sugar (oops!), and pure gold. Ok, there’s no gold but it does end up tasting like liquid gold. In fact, maybe that should be it’s name!
And let’s not forget our crunchy little friends, brown sugar almonds. Goodness!! We usually use slivered almonds because they grab onto the brown sugar a little better, but we used slice above. Just try not to pick in them as they cool. If it wasn’t for all of the butter and sugar this would be my new snack. I could eat an entire bowl full! Try this salad. Tomorrow would be a good day 😉a photo of someone pouring lemon dressing on top of a spinach berry salad.

What Ingredients Go in Spinach Berry Salad?

This recipe can be broken down into three parts: the almonds, the dressing, and the salad. Here is what you will need:

Brown Sugar Almonds: sliced almonds (or slivered), butter, brown sugar, cinnamon

Dressing: lemon juice, oil, sugar, ginger, lemon zest

Salad: spinach, strawberries, mandarin oranges, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries

The measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

How to Make Spinach Berry Salad

Brown Sugar Almonds

  1. Toast the almonds over medium heat in a sauce pan on the stove. Move them around a little while toasting. You want them to be browned slightly.
  2. Add the rest of the ingredients.
  3. Keep cooking and stirring over medium heat until the brown sugar starts to bubble and stick tot he almonds.
  4. Remove the almonds from the heat and spread them out on parchment paper to cool.

a photo of a small white dish full of brown sugar sliced almonds.

Dressing

  1. Pour all the ingredients into a glass jar and shake to combine.

Salad

  1. Combine the spinach, berries and oranges in a large bowl. Top with the almonds and then drizzle with the dressing.
  2. Toss everything together and serve immediately.

All of these instructions in greater detail can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

Can Almonds Cause Allergies?

All tree nuts have the potential to cause an allergic reaction in some people.

These allergic reactions can range from a mild rash to severe breathing difficulties.

Are Almonds Good For You?

Almonds are pretty nutritious.

Almonds are high in fiber, unsaturated fats, protein, and calcium.

a photo of spinach berry salad in a large white ceramic bowl.

Can Spinach Be A Source Of Iron?

Both raw and cooked spinach are excellent sources of iron, containing twice as much as other leafy greens.

Spinach is also rich in protein, fiber, calcium, and vitamins A and E.

Variations on Spinach Berry Salad

Here are a few other toppings that you could add or substitute in this salad:

  • Red Onion
  • Feta
  • Pecans
  • Grilled Chicken
  • Goat Cheese

a photo of a large white ceramic bowl full of spinach berry salad with a bowl of brown sugar almonds next to it, a small salad plate with two forks crossing on it, a bottle of lemon dressing and a bowl full of fresh berries.

What to Eat with Spinach Berry Salad?

I mentioned at the beginning that I love this salad in the summer, so here are a few ideas for a main dish to go with it:

This is the brightest and best salad you will have all summer long! The lemon dressing is sent straight from heaven and the crunch of brown sugar almonds has me coming back for more over and over and over again! Spinach berry salad is on my menu for the week!

More Fabulous Salad Recipes:

4.12 from 9 votes

Spinach Berry Salad with Lemon Dressing

By Sweet Basil
Prep5 minutes
Cook10 minutes
Total15 minutes
Servings8
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I want to introduce you to this berry salad with lemon dressing. Hands down, this is our new favorite salad.

Ingredients 

For the Brown Sugar Almonds

  • 1/2 Cup Almonds, Slivered
  • 2 Tablespoons Butter
  • 1/4 Cup Brown Sugar, or more
  • 1 teaspoons Cinnamon

For the Dressing

  • 1 Cup Lemon Juice, use as much fresh as you can
  • 1/2 Cup Oil, canola or vegetable
  • 1/2 Cup Sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon Ginger, ground
  • 1/8 Cup Lemon Zest, 2 tablespoons

For the Salad

  • 1 Bunch Spinach, baby, washed
  • Strawberries, sliced
  • 1 Can Mandarin Oranges, drained, or blackberries
US Customary - Metric
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Instructions 

For the Almonds

  • Toast the almonds over medium heat, watching carefully so as to not burn until slightly browning. Make sure you move them around while toasting.
    1/2 Cup Almonds
  • Add butter, brown sugar and cinnamon.
    2 Tablespoons Butter, 1/4 Cup Brown Sugar, 1 teaspoons Cinnamon
  • Continue to cook, stirring frequently until brown sugar begins to bubble and stick to the almonds.
  • Remove from heat and spread almonds on parchment paper to cool.

For the Dressing

  • Place the dressing ingredients in a jar and shake to combine or place in a bowl and whisk together.
    1 Cup Lemon Juice, 1/2 Cup Oil, 1/2 Cup Sugar, 1/4 teaspoon Ginger, 1/8 Cup Lemon Zest

For the Salad

  • Combine the spinach, berries and oranges in a large bowl.
    1 Bunch Spinach, Strawberries, 1 Can Mandarin Oranges
  • Drizzle desired amount of dressing over the salad, toss everything together in a bowl, top with almonds and serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

Use any fresh berries or stone fruit.
Should be eaten right away, salad does not store well.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Cup, Calories: 309kcal, Carbohydrates: 29g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 22g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g, Monounsaturated Fat: 12g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 8mg, Sodium: 62mg, Potassium: 397mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 24g, Vitamin A: 4288IU, Vitamin C: 34mg, Calcium: 90mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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A photo of a large ceramic white bowl full of spinach berry salad topped with brown sugar almonds and blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries. A photo of a large ceramic white bowl full of spinach berry salad topped with brown sugar almonds and blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries.

About The Author

Carrian Cheney

Carrian Cheney is the creative force behind ‘Oh, Sweet Basil,’ a food blog she co-authors with her husband, Cade. She creates fresh, family-friendly recipes that encourage togetherness in the kitchen.

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4.12 from 9 votes (8 ratings without comment)

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20 Comments

  1. Jennifer Young says:

    5 stars
    I followed the recipe exactly and it was delicious. I will definitely make it again.

    Reply
    1. Sweet Basil says:

      Yay! Love to hear this Jennifer! Thank you so much for taking a moment to leave us some feedback!

      Reply
  2. Shaleese says:

    This is HEAVEN!!!! Oh my gosh this is so so good. It’s my new go to for lunch, I halved the dressing and use it as sparingly as I can(I try to refrain from drinking it) seriously this tastes like candy. Thank you for this. I tell myself it’s spinach and fruit so hopefully I can still manage to lose weight while eating it. If not at least I’m happy right haha.

    Reply
    1. Sweet Basil says:

      Haha, yeah fruit and veggies, it’s just fruit and veggies. 😉 Maybe if we both say that weight loss goals will be achieved. 🙂 xoxo

      Reply
  3. Julie says:

    What kind of oil do you use for the dressing?
    Thanks!

    Reply
    1. Sweet Basil says:

      Hi Julie, just Canola 🙂

      Reply
  4. kim kimrey says:

    Everything looks so look good I want to lick the screen can’t wait to try all these fun recipes love this site,THANKS

    Reply
    1. Sweet Basil says:

      haha, thanks Kim! That’s my favorite salad ever!

      Reply