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Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe with Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

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A quick and easy fresh strawberry spinach salad with a creamy poppy seed dressing that balances sweet, tangy, crunchy, and smooth flavors. Perfect for any occasion and loved by kids and adults alike.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups (180g) baby spinach, washed and dried
  • 2 cups (300g) fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 1/2 cup (60g) sliced almonds, toasted
  • 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
  • 1/2 cup (75g) crumbled feta cheese
  • 1/3 cup (80 ml) mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup (60g) plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) honey
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon (9g) poppy seeds
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) Dijon mustard
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Toast the almonds: Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add sliced almonds and toast for about 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
  2. Prepare the strawberries: Rinse strawberries under cold water. Hull and slice them into thin pieces, about 1/4 inch thick. Set aside.
  3. Slice the onion: If using red onion, peel and slice very thinly. For a milder taste, soak slices in cold water for 5 minutes, then drain.
  4. Make the creamy poppy seed dressing: In a mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, plain Greek yogurt, honey, apple cider vinegar, poppy seeds, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  5. Assemble the salad: In a large salad bowl, add baby spinach, sliced strawberries, toasted almonds, red onion slices, and crumbled feta cheese.
  6. Toss with dressing: Drizzle the creamy poppy seed dressing over the salad. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat all ingredients without bruising the berries or wilting the spinach too much.
  7. Serve immediately to keep the spinach crisp and the dressing vibrant.

Notes

Toast almonds carefully to avoid burning. Toss salad gently to prevent wilting spinach and bruising strawberries. Dressing can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored refrigerated. For nut-free option, omit almonds or substitute with roasted chickpeas or sunflower seeds. Use fresh strawberries for best flavor; frozen can be used if thawed and drained well.

Nutrition

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

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