Description
The Strawberry Spinach Poppy Seed Salad is a fresh, vibrant, and lightly sweet salad that combines the crispness of spinach with the juicy sweetness of strawberries. The tangy-sweet poppy seed dressing adds an irresistible zing that makes this salad a perfect choice for warm spring or summer days. It’s a versatile dish that can be served as a side or turned into a main course with a few simple additions, like grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu. Whether you’re looking for a light appetizer, a refreshing lunch, or a colorful side dish, this salad delivers it all.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
6 cups fresh baby spinach
2 cups strawberries, hulled and sliced
½ cup sliced almonds, toasted
½ cup crumbled feta or goat cheese
¼ red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
For the Poppy Seed Dressing:
¼ cup olive oil
3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp poppy seeds
Salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
Prepare the Dressing
In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
Toast the Almonds
In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast almonds for 3–5 minutes until lightly golden and fragrant. Set aside to cool.
Assemble the Salad
In a large bowl, combine spinach, sliced strawberries, red onion (if using), toasted almonds, and feta.
Drizzle with dressing and toss gently to coat evenly.
Serve
Serve immediately as a side salad, or add grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu for a main dish.
Notes
This Strawberry Spinach Poppy Seed Salad is fresh, vibrant, and perfect for a light lunch or side dish. For extra flavor and texture, add toasted almonds or pecans, crumbled feta or goat cheese, and a few slices of avocado. A drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of fresh herbs can elevate the flavors even more.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 0 mins
- Category: Salad / Side Dish
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Keywords: Spinach strawberry salad, Poppy seed dressing salad, Fresh strawberry spinach salad