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Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe with Easy Zesty Poppy Seed Dressing

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A fresh and vibrant strawberry spinach salad tossed with a zesty poppy seed dressing, perfect for spring and summer gatherings. This quick and easy salad combines sweet strawberries, tender baby spinach, crunchy almonds, and optional feta cheese for a satisfying and healthy dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups (180g) fresh baby spinach, washed and dried
  • 2 cups (about 300g) fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • ¼ cup (about 40g) red onion, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup (50g) toasted sliced almonds
  • ½ cup (75g) crumbled feta cheese (optional)
  • ¼ cup (60ml) mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons (25g) honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon (10g) poppy seeds
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Rinse and dry 6 cups of fresh baby spinach using a salad spinner or paper towels to prevent a watery salad.
  2. Hull and slice 2 cups of ripe strawberries into thin pieces.
  3. Thinly slice ¼ cup of red onion. Soak in cold water for 10 minutes if you prefer a milder flavor, then drain and pat dry.
  4. Toast ½ cup of sliced almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently until golden and fragrant. Let cool.
  5. In a medium bowl, whisk together ¼ cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt), 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, and 1 tablespoon poppy seeds. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust sweetness or acidity if needed.
  6. In a large salad bowl, combine the spinach, sliced strawberries, red onion, and toasted almonds. Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top if using.
  7. Pour the zesty poppy seed dressing over the salad just before serving. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
  8. Serve immediately for the freshest texture.

Notes

Keep spinach dry for better dressing adherence and to avoid sogginess. Toast almonds carefully to avoid burning. For longer storage, keep dressing separate and toss just before serving. Substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or vegan mayo for lighter or vegan options. Soak onion slices to mellow flavor if desired.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry spinach salad, poppy seed dressing, fresh salad, summer salad, easy salad recipe, healthy salad, gluten-free salad, vegetarian salad

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