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Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe with Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

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A fresh and easy strawberry spinach salad with a creamy poppy seed dressing, perfect for summer and quick to prepare. This salad balances sweet strawberries, tangy dressing, and crunchy almonds for a crowd-pleasing dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups (180g) fresh baby spinach, washed and dried
  • 2 cups (300g) fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • ½ cup (50g) sliced almonds, toasted
  • ¼ medium red onion, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup (75g) crumbled feta cheese (optional)
  • ⅓ cup (80ml) mayonnaise (full-fat recommended)
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) honey
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) milk (dairy or dairy-free)
  • 1 tablespoon (9g) poppy seeds
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Rinse 6 cups (180g) of baby spinach under cold water and dry thoroughly using a salad spinner or paper towels to avoid sogginess. (5 minutes)
  2. Hull and slice 2 cups (300g) of fresh strawberries into thin, bite-sized pieces. (5 minutes)
  3. Thinly slice ¼ of a medium red onion for a mild flavor. (3 minutes)
  4. Toast ½ cup (50g) sliced almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly for 3–4 minutes until golden and fragrant. Remove immediately to cool. (5 minutes)
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together ⅓ cup (80ml) mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons (30ml) honey, 1 tablespoon (15ml) apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons (30ml) milk, and 1 tablespoon (9g) poppy seeds. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust thickness by adding more milk if needed. (5 minutes)
  6. In a large salad bowl, combine the spinach, sliced strawberries, and red onion. Drizzle the dressing over and toss gently to coat evenly. (2 minutes)
  7. Sprinkle toasted almonds and crumbled feta cheese (if using) over the salad just before serving to maintain texture. (1 minute)
  8. Serve immediately for best freshness and crunch.

Notes

Toast almonds carefully to avoid burning. Use ripe strawberries for best flavor. Toss dressing gently to keep spinach leaves intact. Dressing can be made up to 3 days ahead and refrigerated; whisk before serving. For dairy-free, omit feta and use vegan mayo and dairy-free milk. Store salad and dressing separately if not serving immediately.

Nutrition

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

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