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Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe with Easy Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

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A bright, refreshing salad combining fresh strawberries, baby spinach, crunchy nuts, and a sweet-tangy creamy poppy seed dressing. Perfect for spring and summer meals or as a crowd-pleasing side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups (180g) fresh baby spinach, washed and dried
  • 2 cups (300g) fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
  • 1/2 cup almonds or pecans, toasted and chopped
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
  • For the creamy poppy seed dressing:
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Rinse 2 cups (300g) of strawberries under cold water, hull them, and slice each berry into halves or quarters depending on size. Rinse and thoroughly dry about 6 cups (180g) of baby spinach to prevent sogginess. Set aside.
  2. Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup of almonds or pecans and toast, stirring frequently, for about 3-5 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove from heat and let cool.
  3. Thinly slice 1/4 cup of red onion for a mild tangy crunch. If preferred, soak the slices in cold water for 10 minutes, then drain.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup (120ml) mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon poppy seeds, and 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Whisk until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust sweetness or acidity if needed.
  5. In a large salad bowl, add the spinach, sliced strawberries, toasted nuts, and red onion. If using, sprinkle 1/2 cup of crumbled feta cheese over the top.
  6. Drizzle the creamy poppy seed dressing over the salad. Use salad tongs or clean hands to gently toss everything together, coating the spinach and berries evenly without bruising them. Serve immediately for the freshest flavor.

Notes

Dry spinach thoroughly to avoid watery dressing. Toast nuts just before serving for best crunch. Dressing can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in the fridge. Toss salad gently to avoid bruising spinach and strawberries. For vegan version, use vegan mayo and omit or replace feta cheese.

Nutrition

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

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