Red White and Blue Salad

This red white and blue salad is bursting with all the goodness of summer! Ripe, juicy berries combine with spinach and goat cheese for a strawberry spinach salad that is sweet, savory, and perfect for patriotic holidays.

Ready in minutes and ideal for picnics and backyard barbecues, you’ll love this pretty garden-fresh salad, which can be arranged as an American flag for Memorial Day, Flag Day, or the 4th of July, or tossed like a traditional salad.

Any way you serve your red white and blue salad, it’s sure to be a hit!

With just four ingredients for the salad and your own favorite dressing or my go-to strawberry poppyseed dressing, this red white and blue salad is not only easy, but so delicious.

I’m always up for taking advantage of beautiful summer berries while they’re in season. In the summer, I always crave salads that are light and a little bit sweet, and with an abundance of fresh fruit at the farmers market each week, this is a recipe I find myself making again and again.

Simple and refreshing, this red white and blue strawberry spinach salad is great for a Picnic Lunch or even a light dinner when combined with my favorite Bruschetta or Picnic Sandwiches.

It’s also one of the best summer appetizers and I know you’re going to enjoy it!

A Healthy Red White and Blue Recipe

Of course, we can’t forget the fact that you can arrange the ingredients of this salad to create an American flag for all those patriotic summer holidays! (If you love to celebrate with classic patriotic style, don’t skip this incredible round-up of 65+ of the BEST 4th of July Recipes.)

So many red white and blue recipes are desserts and treats, so I love being able to add something to the table that’s a little bit healthier. Much like our family favorite Strawberry Salad with Poppyseed Dressing, the fresh fruit in this salad makes it super kid-friendly, too!

Ingredients and Substitutions

For the Salad

• Spinach – I used fresh baby spinach as a base for the salad. You can switch it up and use whatever greens you like, of course!
• Strawberries – Fresh is always best! Slice them on the diagonal if you’re creating the flag shape, as it makes the stripes more clear.
• Blueberries – Fresh blueberries work beautifully for a bright pop of color and the “stars” part of the stars and stripes in this 4th of July salad.
• Goat Cheese – Fresh goat cheese is ideal in this salad because it can be rolled into little balls for a neat appearance as the white stripes on the flag.

For the Dressing

• Olive Oil
• Vinegar – White white vinegar, champagne vinegar, and even raspberry vinegar work well.
• Honey – Just a bit for sweetness.
• Mustard
• Poppyseeds
• Strawberries – Sort through your strawberries and use any with imperfections for the dressing. Save the best looking ones for the salad!

Variations

• Different Berries – Make your red white and blue salad with raspberries, blackberries or even cherries.
• Switch Up the Cheese – Not a fan of goat cheese? Try feta, blue cheese or mozzarella pearls.
• Add Nuts – This salad is delicious with a little added crunch, too. Try my Candied Nuts, or add chopped pecans, walnuts or almonds.
• Make it vegan – Use your favorite dairy-free cheese.
• Add protein – We love this red white and blue salad with slices of my ever-popular Baked Chicken.

How to Make this Red White and Blue Strawberry Spinach Salad

1. Combine dressing ingredients in a jar or dressing shaker and shake well.
2. Toss with spinach to evenly coat your greens.
3. Spread the coated spinach onto a platter if you’re creating a flag.
4. Add your blueberries to the left top corner of your salad display.
5. Arrange sliced strawberries into stripes across, lengthwise.
6. Roll small balls of goat cheese into 1/2-inch spheres in your hands.
7. Add the goat cheese to form the white stripes in your 4th of July salad display!

Serving Suggestions

Serve this red white and blue salad for your favorite patriotic holidays or any time of the year! Try it with any of these summertime favorites for a delicious picnic-inspired meal.

• Picnic Sandwiches
• Strawberry Brie Bruschetta
• Juicy Sliders
• Mozzarella Bruschetta
• Baked Chicken Breasts
• Grilled Pizza

How to Store

At Room Temperature – This red white and blue strawberry spinach salad can remain at room temperature for up to two hours while serving.

Refrigerate – Once the spinach is coated in dressing, it will wilt as it’s stored. It can be kept up to two days in the refrigerator after serving. However, if you want to prep this salad ahead of time, just make the dressing up to five days ahead!

Frequently Asked Questions