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Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe with Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

fresh strawberry spinach salad - featured image
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A quick and easy summer salad combining fresh baby spinach, ripe strawberries, toasted nuts, and a creamy poppy seed dressing for a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and crunchy flavors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 5 cups fresh baby spinach leaves (washed and dried)
  • 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • ½ cup toasted pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped
  • ½ cup crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese (optional)
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey or pure maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse the baby spinach leaves thoroughly and spin or pat dry to remove excess moisture.
  2. Hull and slice the strawberries into thin pieces, about ¼ inch thick.
  3. Roughly chop the toasted pecans or walnuts.
  4. In a small bowl or jar, combine mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, honey, apple cider vinegar, poppy seeds, and Dijon mustard if using. Whisk or shake vigorously until smooth and creamy.
  5. Taste and season the dressing with salt and pepper to your liking. If the dressing is too thick, add a teaspoon of water or milk to thin it.
  6. In a large mixing bowl, add the dried spinach, sliced strawberries, and nuts.
  7. If using cheese, crumble it over the top.
  8. Gently toss the ingredients together, being careful not to bruise the spinach or mash the strawberries.
  9. Drizzle the creamy poppy seed dressing over the salad and toss gently again to coat everything evenly.
  10. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately for the freshest texture and flavor.

Notes

Use fresh, in-season strawberries for best texture. Toast nuts in a dry skillet over medium-low heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant and golden. Pat spinach and strawberries dry to avoid watery salad. Dressing can be made up to a week ahead and stored refrigerated. Toss salad just before serving to keep it fresh and crisp.

Nutrition

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

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