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Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe with Easy Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

fresh strawberry spinach salad - featured image
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A vibrant and refreshing salad combining fresh baby spinach, juicy strawberries, and a creamy poppy seed dressing made with Greek yogurt. Perfect for a light lunch or side dish, especially in spring and summer.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups fresh baby spinach leaves, washed and dried
  • 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/3 cup slivered almonds, toasted
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (full-fat preferred)
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Rinse and dry 6 cups of baby spinach leaves thoroughly.
  2. Hull and slice 2 cups of fresh strawberries into thin slices.
  3. Thinly slice 1/4 cup of red onion.
  4. Toast 1/3 cup of slivered almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and golden, stirring frequently. Set aside to cool.
  5. In a small mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon poppy seeds, and 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard. Whisk vigorously until smooth and creamy.
  6. Season the dressing with 1/2 teaspoon salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Adjust sweetness or acidity if needed.
  7. In a large salad bowl, add the baby spinach, sliced strawberries, and red onions.
  8. Drizzle about three-quarters of the dressing over the salad (reserve some to serve on the side). Toss gently but thoroughly to coat all ingredients lightly.
  9. Sprinkle the toasted slivered almonds and crumbled feta cheese over the top.
  10. Give the salad one last gentle toss or leave it as is for presentation.
  11. Serve immediately. If preparing ahead, keep the dressing separate until serving to prevent sogginess.

Notes

Use ripe, firm strawberries for best texture. Toast almonds carefully to avoid bitterness. Keep dressing separate if prepping ahead to prevent soggy spinach. Dressing can be thinned with a splash of water or milk if too thick. For dairy-free or vegan versions, substitute Greek yogurt and mayonnaise with plant-based alternatives and omit or replace feta cheese.

Nutrition

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

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