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Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe Easy Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

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A fresh and vibrant strawberry spinach salad with a creamy poppy seed dressing that balances sweet, tangy, and crunchy flavors. Perfect for spring and summer meals, this salad is quick to prepare and loved by all ages.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups baby spinach leaves, washed and dried
  • 1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • ½ cup sliced almonds, toasted
  • ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
  • ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced
  • For the Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing:
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Rinse the baby spinach leaves thoroughly and spin dry or pat with paper towels. Hull and slice the strawberries into thin, even pieces. Set both aside.
  2. In a dry skillet over medium heat, add the sliced almonds. Stir frequently until they turn golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and cool.
  3. Peel and cut the red onion into very thin slices. If the onion feels too sharp, soak slices in cold water for 5 minutes to mellow the flavor, then drain.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, honey, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and poppy seeds. Season with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust sweetness or tanginess as desired.
  5. In a large salad bowl, combine the spinach, sliced strawberries, toasted almonds, and red onion. Crumble the feta cheese over the top if using.
  6. Pour the creamy poppy seed dressing over the salad. Toss gently with salad tongs or two large spoons until everything is evenly coated. Serve immediately.

Notes

Toast almonds gently to avoid bitterness. Dress salad just before serving to prevent spinach from wilting. For dairy-free, omit feta or use plant-based cheese and swap mayonnaise with vegan mayo or Greek yogurt for lighter dressing. Chia seeds can substitute poppy seeds.

Nutrition

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

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