Print

Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe with Easy Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

fresh strawberry spinach salad - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy fresh strawberry spinach salad tossed with a creamy, tangy poppy seed dressing. Perfect for summer gatherings, potlucks, or a light, satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups fresh baby spinach leaves (washed and dried)
  • 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • ½ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
  • ¼ cup sliced almonds or chopped pecans (toasted)
  • ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Salad Ingredients (10 minutes): Rinse and dry the baby spinach leaves thoroughly. Hull the strawberries by cutting off the leafy tops, then slice them into thin pieces. Thinly slice the red onion and set aside. Toast nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring often until fragrant and lightly browned. Let cool.
  2. Make the Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing (5 minutes): In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, honey, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and poppy seeds. Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Whisk until smooth and creamy. Adjust sweetness or tang by adding more honey or vinegar if desired.
  3. Assemble the Salad (5 minutes): In a large salad bowl, combine spinach, sliced strawberries, red onion, and toasted nuts. Drizzle the creamy poppy seed dressing over the salad. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat evenly. Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top last.
  4. Final Touches & Serve: Give the salad one last gentle toss before serving. Serve immediately for the freshest taste and texture. If making ahead, keep dressing separate and toss just before serving.

Notes

Dry spinach thoroughly to prevent soggy salad. Toast nuts carefully on medium heat to avoid burning. Whisk dressing gradually adding vinegar and honey to mayo to avoid clumps. Toss salad gently to avoid bruising berries or wilting spinach. Dressing can be made ahead and stored up to one week in the fridge. Keep dressing separate if prepping salad ahead to maintain crispness.

Nutrition

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

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