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Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe with Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

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A quick and easy fresh strawberry spinach salad with a creamy poppy seed dressing, perfect for a healthy and flavorful meal or side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 5 cups fresh baby spinach (washed and dried)
  • 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup toasted pecans (lightly smashed)
  • 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
  • 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons whole milk or buttermilk

Instructions

  1. Rinse the baby spinach thoroughly under cold water. Use a salad spinner or pat dry with paper towels until the leaves are crisp and moisture-free. (5 minutes)
  2. Hull and thinly slice about 2 cups of fresh strawberries. Aim for uniform slices. (3 minutes)
  3. Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add pecans, stirring frequently, until fragrant and slightly browned—about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. (5 minutes)
  4. Cut a quarter of a small red onion into thin slices. Soak slices in ice water for 5 minutes if you want to mellow the flavor. Drain before adding to salad. (Optional, 5 minutes)
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, honey, apple cider vinegar, poppy seeds, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Slowly add milk a tablespoon at a time until the dressing reaches a smooth, pourable consistency. Taste and adjust sweetness or tang as needed. (5 minutes)
  6. In a large bowl, add the spinach, sliced strawberries, red onion, and toasted pecans. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently but thoroughly to coat every leaf and slice. (2 minutes)
  7. Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top. Give the salad one last light toss or leave the cheese as a garnish. (1 minute)
  8. Serve immediately to enjoy crisp textures and vibrant flavors. If prepping ahead, keep dressing separate until ready to serve.

Notes

Dry spinach thoroughly to avoid soggy salad. Toast pecans to enhance flavor and crunch. Add dressing gradually to control consistency. Soak red onion slices in ice water to mellow sharpness. Dressing can be made up to 3 days ahead and whisked before serving. For vegan version, use vegan mayo and maple syrup instead of honey, omit feta or use plant-based cheese.

Nutrition

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

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