Print

Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe with Easy Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

fresh strawberry spinach salad - featured image
Print Recipe

A light and refreshing strawberry spinach salad featuring tender spinach, juicy strawberries, crunchy toasted almonds, and a creamy, slightly sweet poppy seed dressing. Perfect for spring and summer, this salad is quick to prepare and a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 5 cups fresh baby spinach leaves (washed and dried)
  • 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • ½ cup sliced almonds, toasted
  • ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese (optional)
  • ¼ cup thinly sliced red onions (optional)
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  • ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Wash and dry the spinach leaves thoroughly to prevent sogginess.
  2. Hull and slice the strawberries into thin pieces.
  3. If using, thinly slice the red onions.
  4. Toast the sliced almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently until golden and fragrant (about 3-4 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool.
  5. In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, honey, apple cider vinegar, poppy seeds, and Dijon mustard. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust sweetness or tanginess as desired.
  6. Place the baby spinach in a large bowl. Add the sliced strawberries, toasted almonds, and optional red onions and cheese.
  7. Drizzle about half of the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat the leaves evenly. Add more dressing if needed, tossing gently to avoid bruising the spinach.
  8. Serve immediately for best freshness. If preparing ahead, keep dressing separate and toss just before serving.

Notes

Toast almonds carefully to avoid burning as burnt nuts add bitterness. Dry spinach thoroughly to prevent soggy salad. Dressing can be made ahead and stored refrigerated for 3-4 days. Keep dressing separate if preparing salad in advance to maintain crispness. Vegan and dairy-free substitutions are possible by using vegan mayo and yogurt alternatives and omitting cheese.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://tastytuck.com/fresh-strawberry-spinach-salad-recipe-with-easy-creamy-poppy-seed-dressing/