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Fresh Healthy Strawberry Spinach Salad with Easy Poppy Seed Dressing

strawberry spinach salad - featured image
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A light, fresh, and vibrant salad combining sweet strawberries, crisp baby spinach, and a creamy poppy seed dressing. Perfect for a quick, healthy meal or side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups fresh baby spinach, washed and dried
  • 2 cups strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
  • ¼ cup sliced almonds, toasted
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey (or maple syrup for vegan option)
  • 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Rinse the baby spinach under cold water and spin dry or pat gently with paper towels.
  2. Hull and thinly slice the strawberries.
  3. Thinly slice ¼ small red onion.
  4. Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced almonds and toast, stirring frequently, for 3–5 minutes until golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
  5. In a small bowl or jar, combine mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, poppy seeds, Dijon mustard (if using), salt, and pepper. Whisk or shake vigorously until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust sweetness or acidity as needed.
  6. In a large salad bowl, combine spinach, sliced strawberries, and red onion. Toss gently to mix without bruising the berries or greens.
  7. Sprinkle the crumbled feta and toasted almonds over the salad. Toss lightly again to distribute evenly.
  8. Pour the poppy seed dressing over the salad in small increments, tossing gently after each addition to coat the leaves evenly. Use as much or as little dressing as preferred.
  9. Serve immediately to keep spinach crisp and strawberries fresh. If prepping ahead, keep dressing separate and toss just before serving.

Notes

Toast almonds fresh for best flavor. Slice strawberries just before serving to avoid juice release. Adjust dressing sweetness and acidity to taste. Keep dressing separate if prepping ahead to maintain crispness.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry spinach salad, poppy seed dressing, healthy salad, quick salad, fresh salad, easy dressing, summer salad, gluten-free salad, vegetarian salad, dairy-free option

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