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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 refreshing and light salad featuring fresh baby spinach, ripe strawberries, and a creamy sweet poppy seed dressing. Perfect for spring and summer meals, this salad balances sweet, tangy, and savory flavors with a delightful crunch.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups fresh baby spinach
  • 1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced
  • ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup slivered almonds, toasted
  • ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
  • ⅓ cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Toast the almonds: Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add the slivered almonds and toss frequently for 3-4 minutes, until fragrant and golden. Remove from heat and let cool.
  2. Prepare the strawberries: Rinse the strawberries under cold water, pat dry, then hull and slice them thinly. Set aside.
  3. Slice the red onion: Cut the onion in half, then thinly slice about ¼ cup. Soak the slices in a bowl of cold water for 10 minutes if you want milder onion flavor. Drain well.
  4. Make the dressing: In a small bowl or jar, combine mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt), honey, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, poppy seeds, and Dijon mustard. Whisk or shake vigorously until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Toss the salad: In a large bowl, add the baby spinach, strawberries, red onion, and half of the toasted almonds. Pour about two-thirds of the dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat. Add more dressing if desired.
  6. Add the finishing touches: Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese and the remaining almonds over the top. Serve immediately for the freshest flavor and texture.

Notes

Toast almonds separately to enhance flavor and crunch. Soak onion slices in cold water to mellow sharpness. Keep spinach dry and add dressing just before serving to prevent wilting. Dressing can be made ahead and stored up to 3 days in the fridge.

Nutrition

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

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