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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 vibrant salad featuring fresh baby spinach, ripe strawberries, and a creamy sweet poppy seed dressing. Perfect for quick summer meals and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups fresh baby spinach leaves, washed and dried
  • 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds, toasted lightly
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Pinch of freshly ground black pepper (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse and dry the baby spinach thoroughly to avoid sogginess.
  2. Hull and slice the strawberries into halves or quarters depending on size.
  3. Thinly slice the red onion.
  4. Warm a dry skillet over medium heat. Toast the slivered almonds, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant (about 3-4 minutes). Remove and set aside.
  5. Toast the poppy seeds in the same skillet for about 30 seconds, watching closely to prevent burning. Remove immediately.
  6. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, honey, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth.
  7. Stir in the toasted poppy seeds last. Adjust sweetness or tang to taste.
  8. In a large salad bowl, combine spinach, sliced strawberries, and red onion.
  9. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all leaves evenly without bruising.
  10. Sprinkle toasted almonds and crumbled feta cheese on top.
  11. Serve immediately for maximum freshness and crunch.

Notes

Dry spinach leaves thoroughly to prevent sogginess. Toast poppy seeds carefully for only about 30 seconds to avoid bitterness. Add dressing just before serving to keep salad fresh. For vegan version, substitute mayo with vegan mayo and honey with maple syrup. Feta cheese is optional and can be replaced with plant-based cheese for dairy-free.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://tempotaste.com/fresh-strawberry-spinach-salad-recipe-with-easy-sweet-poppy-seed-dressing-2/