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Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe with Easy Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

fresh strawberry spinach salad - featured image
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A bright and fresh salad combining crisp baby spinach, juicy strawberries, toasted almonds, and tangy feta cheese, all tossed in a light and creamy homemade poppy seed dressing. Perfect for quick lunches or as a side dish for dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups baby spinach leaves, washed and dried
  • 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 1/2 cup toasted almonds, sliced or slivered
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
  • 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese (can substitute goat cheese or omit for dairy-free)
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste (about 1/4 teaspoon each)

Instructions

  1. Toast the almonds: Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced almonds in an even layer and toast, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant—about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
  2. Prepare the salad ingredients: While the almonds cool, wash and thoroughly dry the baby spinach. Hull and slice the strawberries into thin pieces, and thinly slice the red onion if using.
  3. Make the dressing: In a small mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, honey, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  4. Assemble the salad: In a large salad bowl, combine the spinach, sliced strawberries, cooled toasted almonds, and red onions. Toss gently to mix.
  5. Add the dressing: Pour the creamy poppy seed dressing over the salad—start with half and toss gently. Add more dressing if desired, but be careful not to overdress.
  6. Top with feta cheese: Sprinkle crumbled feta over the salad just before serving.
  7. Serve immediately to keep spinach crisp and strawberries juicy.

Notes

Dry spinach thoroughly to prevent sogginess. Toast almonds carefully to avoid burning. Dressing can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in the fridge. Keep dressing and salad separate until serving to maintain freshness. For a lighter dressing, substitute half the mayo with Greek yogurt. Vegan and nut-free variations are possible.

Nutrition

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

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