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Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe with Easy Sweet Poppy Seed Dressing

fresh strawberry spinach salad - featured image
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A light and vibrant salad combining fresh baby spinach, juicy strawberries, toasted nuts, and a sweet poppy seed dressing that balances sweetness and tanginess perfectly.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups (180g) fresh baby spinach, washed and dried
  • 1 pint (about 300g) fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup (50g) almonds or pecans, toasted and roughly chopped
  • ½ cup (75g) feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
  • ¼ cup (60ml) mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) honey
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) apple cider vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons (45ml) milk (whole or 2%)
  • 1 teaspoon ground poppy seeds
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Toast the nuts: Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add ½ cup of almonds or pecans and toast, stirring frequently, for 3–5 minutes until fragrant and golden. Transfer to a plate to cool.
  2. Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together ¼ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons honey, and 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar until smooth. Gradually whisk in 3 tablespoons milk to thin the dressing to your preferred consistency.
  3. Add 1 teaspoon ground poppy seeds, a pinch of salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Taste and adjust sweetness or acidity as needed.
  4. Prep the salad ingredients: Rinse and dry 6 cups baby spinach thoroughly. Hull and slice 1 pint fresh strawberries. Thinly slice ¼ small red onion. Crumble ½ cup feta cheese if using.
  5. Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine baby spinach, sliced strawberries, and red onion. Drizzle about half of the poppy seed dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat. Add toasted nuts and feta, then toss lightly again.
  6. Serve: Transfer to serving plates or a large platter. Drizzle remaining dressing on top or serve on the side. Best eaten fresh.

Notes

Toast nuts carefully over medium heat to avoid burning. Dry spinach thoroughly to prevent soggy salad. Toss salad gently to avoid bruising berries. Dressing can be made ahead and stored up to 5 days in the fridge. Keep dressing separate if preparing salad in advance.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry spinach salad, poppy seed dressing, fresh salad, easy salad recipe, summer salad, healthy salad

Find it online: https://lunafeast.com/fresh-strawberry-spinach-salad-recipe-with-easy-sweet-poppy-seed-dressing/