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Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe with Easy Sweet Poppy Seed Dressing

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A fresh and vibrant salad combining crisp baby spinach, juicy strawberries, and a sweet tangy poppy seed dressing, perfect for quick lunches or brunches.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups fresh baby spinach, washed and dried
  • 2 cups strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • ½ cup sliced almonds or pecans, toasted (optional)
  • ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup crumbled feta or goat cheese (optional)
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise (or light mayo/Greek yogurt as a swap)
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Wash and thoroughly dry the baby spinach to prevent sogginess.
  2. Hull and slice the strawberries into thin, even pieces.
  3. Thinly slice the red onion.
  4. Toast the sliced almonds or pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant (about 3-4 minutes). Remove and cool.
  5. In a medium bowl or mason jar, combine mayonnaise, honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, poppy seeds, salt, and pepper. Whisk or shake vigorously until smooth and creamy. Adjust sweetness or acidity to taste.
  6. In a large bowl, add the spinach, sliced strawberries, and red onion. Drizzle about half the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat.
  7. Sprinkle toasted nuts and crumbled cheese over the top.
  8. Serve immediately for the freshest texture and flavor.

Notes

Dry spinach thoroughly to prevent sogginess. Toast nuts gently to avoid bitterness. Adjust dressing sweetness and acidity gradually. Use frozen strawberries thawed and drained if fresh are unavailable. Dressing can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored refrigerated. For vegan version, substitute mayo with vegan mayo and honey with maple syrup or agave. Nut allergies? Use sunflower seeds instead of nuts.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry spinach salad, poppy seed dressing, fresh salad, easy salad recipe, healthy salad, summer salad, light lunch, brunch salad

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