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Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe with Easy Sweet Poppy Seed Dressing

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A refreshing and light salad combining fresh baby spinach, ripe strawberries, toasted almonds, and a homemade sweet poppy seed dressing. Perfect for a quick meal or side dish that’s both simple and delicious.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups fresh baby spinach, washed and dried
  • 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
  • 1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise (full-fat or Greek yogurt for lighter version)
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Rinse 6 cups of baby spinach under cold water and spin dry or pat with clean towels. Ensure leaves are dry to prevent sogginess. (About 5 minutes)
  2. Hull and slice 2 cups of ripe strawberries into roughly 1/4 inch thick pieces. (5 minutes)
  3. Thinly slice 1/4 cup of red onion. If too pungent, soak slices in cold water for 5 minutes then drain. (Optional)
  4. Toast 1/2 cup slivered almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently for 3-4 minutes until golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and cool. (5 minutes)
  5. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon poppy seeds, and 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard. Season with salt and pepper. Add a teaspoon of water if dressing is too thick. (5 minutes)
  6. In a large salad bowl, combine spinach, sliced strawberries, red onion, and toasted almonds. Drizzle dressing over and toss gently but thoroughly. (2-3 minutes)
  7. Sprinkle 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese over the salad and toss lightly to distribute. (1 minute)
  8. Serve immediately for best freshness. If preparing ahead, keep dressing separate and toss just before serving.

Notes

Dry spinach thoroughly to avoid sogginess. Toast almonds carefully to prevent burning. Adjust honey and vinegar in dressing to balance sweetness and tang. Toss salad just before serving to keep strawberries from becoming mushy. Dressing can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in fridge.

Nutrition

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

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