Raspberry Salad loaded with delicious sweet berries, baby spinach, sliced almonds, and crumbles of feta. Then tossed with homemade sweet and tangy raspberry vinaigrette!

berry salad with raspberry vinaigrette this recipe

Serving Tip! This is a great salad to pair with Balsamic Grilled Chicken with Avocado or Chicken Sausage and Broccolini Pasta.

There is no doubt I LOVE a good salad. It’s probably one of my favorite things to make and eat. I think it’s because salads don’t require much, just bright greens, fresh veggies or fruit, and a good homemade dressing.

Well, this spinach berry salad is just that. Loaded with delicious fresh berry flavor, spinach leaves, salty feta, and crunchy almond slices. Then tossed in a homemade sweet and tangy raspberry vinaigrette. It’s an adaptation of my Raspberry Basil Garlic Vinaigrette but only with fresh berries in the mix.

The dressing is truly what makes this salad a standout. So many berry salads are either tossed in a cloyingly sweet poppyseed dressing or a lackluster vinaigrette that pools at the bottom of the serving bowl. This dressing has a more balanced flavor and it’s got a thick, creamy consistency you’ll love!

raspberry vinaigrette salad

It’s a great recipe for when you’re craving a light and fresh salad, especially in the warmer months. It makes the most beautiful presentation on a table for Sunday brunch, Mother’s Day or Easter holiday.

While this salad is meant as a side, topping it with chicken or salmon, whether grilled or baked turns it into a main.

What You Will Love About This Raspberry Vinaigrette and Berry Salad

  • Greens with a side of sweetness: I’ve found that a lot of salad haters will make an exception for salads that are made with fruit and sweet dressings. For kids (and those with picky palates), the sweetness helps offset the natural bitterness of fresh greens.
  • Creamy dressing: Rather than a watery vinaigrette, we blend fresh raspberries into the dressing, which helps it cling to the spinach so every bite is extra delicious!
  • Easy to make: Some salads require a whole lot of veggie washing and chopping, but this one has just a handful of fresh ingredients.

All About the Berries

What makes this truly the best salad is the perfect combination of sweet and sour berries. I like to pair blueberries and raspberries together but other berries such as strawberries and blackberries would be a great addition.

When shopping, look for plump, full-colored berries. Avoid berries that are crushed, bruised, or moldy. And remember berries should not be washed until they are being used, otherwise, they will spoil quickly.

spinach berry salad ingredients

Prep Tip: To wash the berries, fill a large bowl with cold water, then gently place the berries in a colander and dip it in the water bath.

Raspberry Vinaigrette Berry Salad Ingredients

Fresh ingredients make all the difference in this homemade raspberry vinaigrette. Packed with so much flavor and gorgeous color. It’s tangy, sweet, and bright all around. 

Is raspberry vinaigrette healthy? Usually, vinaigrette-type dressings with oil and vinegar tend to be healthier. To keep the vinaigrette refined sugar-free, substitute brown sugar with honey.

For this vinaigrette, you’ll need fresh raspberries, olive oil, cider vinegar, fresh basil, brown sugar, mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper. Add everything into a food-processor and blend until smooth.

berry vinaigrette in a bowl of food processor

The vinaigrette can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.

How to Make this Berry Salad

The actual salad is made up of baby spinach, raspberries, blueberries, red onions, feta, and almonds. As I mentioned above, you can add fresh blackberries and strawberries for extra berry flavor. 

Put the spinach into a large serving bowl or salad platter and top with the remaining salad ingredients. Drizzle some of the raspberry vinaigrette over the salad and serve.

berry salad recipe

You can swap out the feta cheese for the goat cheese. Add as little or as much as you like. I found that a ⅓ cup was a good balance but you can totally add more to taste.

spinach salad with raspberry vinaigrette

Raspberry Vinaigrette Berry Salad Substitutions

  • Swap the raspberries or blueberries in the salad for sliced strawberries or blackberries.
  • Instead of feta, try crumbled gorgonzola. 
  • Use red wine vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar in the dressing.
  • For extra sweetness, use spiced walnuts instead of toasted almonds.
  • Use a spring mix or peppery arugula in place of the spinach.

Berry Salad FAQs

What should I do if my vinaigrette solidifies in the fridge?

If your vinaigrette solidifies in the fridge, let it come to room temperature, then give it a good shake or whisk to reincorporate everything. 

Can I make it fat free?

To make this salad fat-free, you’ll need to omit the feta, almonds, and olive oil. Add ¼ cup of water to the dressing to ensure it has a pourable consistency.

How long does it stay good?

Once assembled, this salad will last in the refrigerator for a day, although the spinach will wilt. You can freshen up the salad by adding more spinach. When stored separately, the dressing will last for 3 to 4 days and the salad itself will last for 2 to 3 days.

What To Do With Leftover Berries?

If you have leftover berries of any kind, try our easy Strawberry-Blueberry Honey Jam, Strawberry Yogurt Popsicles, Strawberry Shortcake Cake or our Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Salad.

More Favorites from Little Broken

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
berry salad with raspberry vinaigrette

Berry Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 6 reviews
  • Author: Katya
  • Prep Time: 15 min
  • Total Time: 15 min
  • Yield: 4-6 1x
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Chop
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe

Description

Power berry spinach salad loaded with delicious sweet berries, baby spinach, sliced almonds, and crumbles of feta. Then tossed with homemade sweet and tangy raspberry vinaigrette!

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 8 oz. bag fresh baby spinach
  • ½ cup fresh raspberries
  • ½ cup fresh blueberries
  • ¼ cup thinly sliced red onions
  • ⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese
  • ⅓ cup sliced almonds, toasted

Raspberry Vinaigrette

  • ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil
  • 2 tsp. brown sugar or honey
  • ½ tsp. Dijon mustard
  • 1 large garlic clove
  • ½ cup fresh raspberries
  • Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the vinaigrette: Combine olive oil, apple cider vinegar, basil, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, garlic, and fresh raspberries in a bowl of a food-processor. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Pulse until smooth.
  2. Prepare the salad: Put the spinach in a large serving bowl and top with the raspberries, blueberries, red onions, feta, and almonds. Drizzle with the vinaigrette. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Substitute: Substitute apple cider vinegar with red wine vinegar or raspberry vinegar.
  • Vinaigrette: If the vinaigrette is too thick, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to thin out. Leftover vinaigrette can be stored for up to a week in the fridge.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 178
  • Sugar: 4.3 g
  • Sodium: 147.4 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Carbohydrates: 9.1 g
  • Protein: 4.5 g
  • Cholesterol: 11.1 mg

Recipe was originally posted March 2016.