Spinach Strawberry Salad Fresh (Print Version)

Tender spinach leaves and juicy strawberries combined with nuts and a sweet poppy seed dressing for a crisp, fresh dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad

01 - 5 oz fresh baby spinach leaves
02 - 9 oz strawberries, hulled and sliced
03 - ½ cup toasted pecans or sliced almonds
04 - ½ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
05 - 2 tablespoons red onion, thinly sliced (optional)

→ Sweet Poppy Seed Dressing

06 - ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
08 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
09 - 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
10 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
11 - ¼ teaspoon sea salt
12 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a large salad bowl, mix the baby spinach, sliced strawberries, nuts, feta cheese, and red onion if using.
02 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, poppy seeds, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
03 - Pour the dressing over the salad just before serving and gently toss to evenly coat all components.
04 - Serve immediately to maintain freshness and crunch.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in 15 minutes flat, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or when unexpected guests arrive.
  • The sweet-tart dressing with poppy seeds tastes nothing like bottled salad dressing and feels like a tiny celebration on your plate.
  • It's naturally vegetarian and gluten-free, but hearty enough that nobody misses the meat.
02 -
  • Never dress this salad ahead of time—the spinach will wilt and the nuts will lose their crunch within minutes.
  • If you're bringing this to a gathering, pack the dressing separately and dress it right before serving for maximum freshness.
03 -
  • Whisk the dressing vigorously to emulsify the oil and vinegar, which keeps them from separating on the salad.
  • Let the dressing sit for 10 minutes after mixing so the poppy seeds fully absorb the flavors and release their essence.
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