Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe with Easy Creamy Poppyseed Dressing
A refreshing and satisfying salad combining crisp spinach, juicy strawberries, and a creamy, slightly sweet poppyseed dressing. Perfect for quick lunches or as a vibrant side dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups fresh baby spinach leaves
- 1 pint ripe strawberries, hulled and sliced
- ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
- ½ cup toasted pecans or walnuts
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon poppyseeds
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Rinse the baby spinach gently under cold water and spin dry or pat with paper towels.
- Hull the strawberries by slicing off the green tops and cut into thin slices.
- Peel and slice the red onion as thinly as possible.
- Toast ½ cup of pecans or walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently until fragrant and slightly golden, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
- In a small bowl or mason jar, combine mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, honey, apple cider vinegar, poppyseeds, salt, and pepper. Whisk vigorously or shake until smooth and creamy. Adjust sweetness or acidity if needed.
- In a large bowl, combine spinach, sliced strawberries, and red onion. Pour dressing over salad and toss gently to coat evenly.
- Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese and toasted nuts on top.
- Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
Prepare the dressing a day ahead for better flavor. Toast nuts carefully to avoid burning. Use fresh strawberries for best texture. Toss salad and serve immediately to prevent spinach wilting. Dressing can be stored up to a week refrigerated.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 280
- Fat: 20
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 6
Keywords: strawberry spinach salad, creamy poppyseed dressing, fresh salad, healthy salad, easy salad recipe, summer salad, spring salad