Spinach Strawberry Salad (Printable)

Tender spinach, fresh strawberries, crunchy nuts, and a sweet poppy seed dressing form a vibrant dish.

# Required Ingredients:

→ 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

# Preparation Steps:

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

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The sweetness of ripe strawberries against peppery spinach feels like a flavor revelation every single time.
  • It comes together in fifteen minutes flat, perfect for those moments when you need something impressive but have zero energy to fuss.
  • The poppy seed dressing is so good you'll find yourself drizzling it on other things without thinking twice.
02 -
  • If you make the dressing ahead, the poppy seeds will sink to the bottom—just shake or whisk it again before using.
  • Dress the salad at the very last second; wet spinach loses its appeal fast, so resist the urge to prep this too early.
03 -
  • Toast your own nuts if you have time; the difference between store-bought toasted and freshly toasted is worth the five minutes.
  • The poppy seed dressing works on almost any green salad, so make a double batch and keep it on hand for lazy dinner nights.
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