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Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe with Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

fresh strawberry spinach salad - featured image
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A fresh, vibrant strawberry spinach salad with a luscious creamy poppy seed dressing, perfect for summer lunches and easy to prepare in under 20 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups fresh baby spinach leaves, washed and dried
  • 2 cups sliced strawberries
  • ½ cup toasted sliced almonds
  • ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion (optional)
  • ½ cup crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese (optional)
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Wash and thoroughly dry 6 cups of fresh baby spinach leaves using a salad spinner to avoid sogginess. Place spinach in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Slice 2 cups of ripe strawberries evenly, about ¼ inch thick. Quarter large berries to keep bite-size balance. Add to the spinach bowl.
  3. If using, thinly slice ¼ cup of red onion as thin as possible to avoid overpowering sharpness. Add to the bowl with spinach and strawberries.
  4. Toast ½ cup sliced almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly for 3-5 minutes until golden and nutty. Remove from heat and let cool slightly before adding to the salad.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons honey, and 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar until smooth and creamy.
  6. Stir in 1 tablespoon poppy seeds, ¼ teaspoon salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Adjust sweetness or acidity if needed.
  7. Pour the dressing over the spinach, strawberries, onions, and toasted almonds. Gently toss to evenly coat without bruising the spinach.
  8. Optionally, sprinkle ½ cup crumbled feta or goat cheese over the top and toss lightly to combine.
  9. Serve immediately chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Dry spinach thoroughly to prevent sogginess. Toast almonds carefully over medium heat, stirring constantly to avoid burning. Whisk dressing well for smooth texture; thin with water or vinegar if too thick. Toss salad gently to avoid bruising spinach. Prepare dressing up to 3 days ahead and store in fridge. Add cheese just before serving to prevent sogginess.

Nutrition

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

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