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Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe with Easy Zesty Poppy Seed Dressing

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A quick and easy fresh strawberry spinach salad tossed with a creamy, zesty homemade poppy seed dressing. Perfect for spring and summer meals, this salad combines sweet strawberries, crunchy almonds, and tangy dressing for a light and satisfying dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups fresh baby spinach leaves (loosely packed)
  • 1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese crumbles (optional)
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Rinse the baby spinach thoroughly under cold water and spin or pat dry.
  2. Hull the strawberries by cutting off the green tops, then slice them into thin pieces.
  3. Thinly slice 1/4 of a small red onion.
  4. In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the slivered almonds, stirring frequently until golden brown and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, honey, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, poppy seeds, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until creamy and well combined. Adjust honey or vinegar to taste.
  6. In a large salad bowl, combine spinach, sliced strawberries, and red onion.
  7. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently but thoroughly to coat all leaves.
  8. Sprinkle toasted almonds and feta cheese crumbles over the salad and toss lightly or leave toppings on top for presentation.
  9. Serve immediately for best freshness. If preparing ahead, keep dressing separate and toss just before serving.

Notes

Do not overdress the salad to keep spinach crisp. Toast nuts carefully to avoid burning. Use fresh, firm strawberries for best texture. For dairy-free, substitute Greek yogurt with coconut yogurt and omit feta. Dressing can be loosened with a teaspoon of water or milk if too thick. Keep dressing separate if making ahead.

Nutrition

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

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