Description
Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing is a fresh, vibrant salad combining tender baby spinach, sweet strawberries, crunchy nuts, and a creamy homemade poppy seed dressing. Ideal for spring gatherings, Valentine’s Day dinners, or light lunches, this salad offers a colorful and flavorful dish that is both nutritious and visually appealing.
Ingredients
Salad
- 6 cups baby spinach
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
- ½ cup mandarin oranges (optional)
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup sliced almonds or pecans
- ¼ cup crumbled feta or goat cheese
Poppy Seed Dressing
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup milk
- ¼ cup sugar or honey
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp poppy seeds
- ½ tsp Dijon mustard
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together mayonnaise or Greek yogurt, milk, sugar or honey, apple cider vinegar, poppy seeds, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Refrigerate Dressing: Place the dressing in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and develop a creamy consistency.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, combine baby spinach, sliced strawberries, optional mandarin oranges, thinly sliced red onion, sliced almonds or pecans, and crumbled feta or goat cheese.
- Add Dressing: Just before serving, drizzle the chilled poppy seed dressing evenly over the salad ingredients.
- Toss Gently: Carefully toss the salad to evenly coat all components with the dressing without bruising the delicate spinach leaves and fruit.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the salad promptly to enjoy fresh flavors and maintain crisp textures.
Notes
- Add grilled chicken or shrimp to transform this salad into a hearty main-dish option.
- Candied pecans can be used in place of regular nuts to add extra sweetness and crunch.
- The poppy seed dressing can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored refrigerated for convenience.
- Toss the salad right before serving to prevent the spinach leaves from wilting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad, Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
