Enjoy the delightful fusion of flavors and textures with our Strawberry Spinach Salad topped with Poppy Seed Dressing. This salad has a mix of fresh spinach leaves, juicy strawberries, tangy feta, crunchy nuts, and a tasty dressing all coming together to be refreshing and satisfying.
Welcome to the delicious Strawberry Spinach Salad, where ripe, sweet strawberries meet the earthy goodness of fresh spinach leaves. This popular salad is a refreshing and nutritious option for those looking to jazz up their greens game. Whether you enjoy it as a light lunch, a side dish, or a main course, this wonderful summer salad is sure to brighten up your mealtime with its refreshing taste and health benefits.
Try some of our other favorite side dishes, such as 24 Hour Salad (Ambrosia Salad), Cucumber, Tomato, Onion Marinated Salad, Spinach Salad with Chickpeas, or Apple Spinach Salad with Dried Cranberries.
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Ingredients for Strawberry Spinach Salad and Poppy Seed Balsamic Dressing
- spinach leaves or spring mix
- feta cheese
- fresh strawberries
- toasted pecans
- extra-virgin olive oil
- balsamic vinegar
- dijon mustard
- honey
- salt
- black pepper
- poppy seeds
FAQs
Strawberry Spinach Salad is a refreshing and nutritious salad made with fresh spinach leaves, ripe strawberries, and a variety of other ingredients. It's often served with a sweet and tangy dressing, such as a balsamic vinaigrette or a poppy seed dressing.
Absolutely! You can adjust the ingredients based on your taste preferences or what you have on hand. For example, you can add other fruits like blueberries or raspberries for additional sweetness and color. You can also add protein sources like grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu to make it a more substantial meal.
Strawberry Spinach Salad pairs well with a variety of dressings, including balsamic vinaigrette, poppy seed dressing, honey mustard dressing, or even a simple olive oil and lemon juice dressing. The sweet and tangy flavors of these dressings complement the sweetness of the strawberries and the earthiness of the spinach.
Serve Strawberry Spinach Salad as a refreshing side dish alongside grilled chicken, fish, or steak. It's perfect for picnics, barbecues, potlucks, or as a light lunch or dinner option. Garnish with additional sliced strawberries or nuts before serving for extra visual appeal.
Top Tips
- Thinly sliced red onion can also be added to this salad. I would recommend soaking them in cold water first, while you get the other ingredients prepared. This will remove the harsh aftertaste, without removing their flavor.
- One of the great things about salads is their versatility. Don't be afraid to get creative and substitute ingredients to suit your taste. Instead of spinach, you can use arugula or other leafy greens. If you're not a fan of feta cheese, try goat cheese or even blue cheese for a stronger flavor. Change the strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or even sliced peaches for a different flavor profile.
- Change the toasted for pecans for another crunch, if you prefer, such as sunflower seeds or toasted walnuts.
- If you're following a specific diet, fear not! This salad can easily be adapted to meet your dietary preferences. For a vegan version, simply omit the feta cheese or substitute it with a dairy-free alternative or omit the honey and use maple syrup or agave nectar as a sweetener..
- Want to make the salad more substantial and protein-rich? Add grilled chicken, cooked shrimp, creamy avocado, or even roasted chickpeas.
- Would you prefer a creamy dressing? Mix Greek yogurt with lemon juice, garlic, herbs, poppy seeds, and a touch of honey for a tangy and luscious dressing that coats your salad ingredients beautifully.
- If you plan to prepare the salad in advance, keep the dressing and salad in separate containers until just before serving to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.
- Store in an airtight container or covered tightly with plastic wrap, in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
How to make Easy Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe with Poppy Seed Salad Dressing
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, honey, salt, and pepper. Adjust the quantities according to your taste preferences.
- Toast walnuts or pecans: Spread the pecans evenly on a baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven (350°F/175°C) and toast the pecans for about 8-10 minutes. Keep a close eye on them, as they can burn quickly.
- In a large bowl, add spinach leaves, sliced strawberries, nuts, feta cheese. Drizzle poppy seed dressing over the salad, toss gently. Enjoy!
Best Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing
Ingredients
Strawberry Spinach Salad
- ¾ cup pecans, roughly chopped and toasted
- 10 oz fresh baby spinach
- 1 quart ripe strawberries, hulled and quartered
- 4 oz feta cheese
Balsamic Poppyseed Dressing
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, honey, salt, and pepper. Adjust the quantities according to your taste preferences.
- Toast walnuts or pecans: Spread the pecans evenly on a baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven (350°F/175°C) and toast the pecans for about 8-10 minutes. Keep a close eye on them, as they can burn quickly. Cool before adding to the salad.
- In a large bowl, add spinach leaves, sliced strawberries, nuts, feta cheese. Drizzle poppy seed dressing over the salad, toss gently. Enjoy!
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