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- 4 cups fresh spinach - 2 cups strawberries - 1/2 cup red onion - 1/4 cup feta cheese - 1/4 cup candied pecans - 1/4 cup poppy seeds - 1/3 cup olive oil - 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar - 2 tablespoons honey - Salt and pepper to taste When I create this salad, I focus on fresh, vibrant ingredients. Fresh spinach serves as the base. I use four cups, washed and dried. It adds a crisp texture and rich color. Next, I slice two cups of strawberries. Their sweetness brightens the dish. Strawberries also give a burst of flavor. Red onion adds a slight bite. I thinly slice half a cup to keep it mild. Now, let’s add some fun! I sprinkle in feta cheese. A quarter cup crumbled brings creaminess. Candied pecans add crunch and sweetness. I use a quarter cup for that extra pop. Lastly, I include a quarter cup of poppy seeds. They add a nice visual touch and a bit of nuttiness. For the dressing, I whisk together one-third cup of olive oil and a quarter cup of apple cider vinegar. To sweeten it, I add two tablespoons of honey. Salt and pepper bring everything together. This dressing makes the flavors sing! {{ingredient_image_1}} To make the dressing, start by taking a small bowl. Add the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, and poppy seeds. Whisk these ingredients together until they blend well. This should take about 30 seconds. After mixing, taste the dressing. Add salt and pepper to your liking. You want it to be zesty but not overpowering. Set the dressing aside while you prepare the salad. Grab a large salad bowl and add the fresh spinach. Next, toss in the sliced strawberries and the thinly sliced red onion. These ingredients add color and crunch. Drizzle half of the poppy seed dressing over the salad. Gently toss the salad so that all the greens and fruits are coated. This helps every bite burst with flavor. Now, it’s time to add the finishing touches! Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese over the top. Then, add the candied pecans for a sweet crunch. Give the salad a light toss again to mix everything. Taste it one more time. If you think it needs more dressing or seasoning, feel free to adjust. Serve this fresh and tasty salad right away. Enjoy every bite! To make your Strawberry Spinach Poppy Seed Salad shine, consider these ideas: - Garnish: Add extra strawberry slices on top. Sprinkle more poppy seeds for color. - Serving Dishes: Use a large, clear bowl. Individual plates also look nice and can impress guests. If you have leftover dressing, store it in a jar. Keep it in the fridge for up to a week. To save time, make the dressing ahead of time. Just whisk the ingredients and store. Shake well before using it again. You can swap out nuts or cheese in this salad easily. Try sunflower seeds or walnuts instead of pecans. For cheese, goat cheese works well too. If you want a different flavor for the dressing, use balsamic vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar. This change adds a rich twist to the taste. Pro Tips Fresh Ingredients: Always use fresh spinach and ripe strawberries for the best flavor and texture. Dressing Balance: Adjust the sweetness and acidity of the dressing by adding more honey or vinegar to suit your taste. Make-Ahead Tips: Prepare the dressing and chop the vegetables ahead of time, but combine them just before serving to keep the salad crisp. Garnish for Flair: Add a few whole strawberries on top and a sprinkle of poppy seeds for an eye-catching presentation. {{image_2}} You can easily boost the protein in your Strawberry Spinach Poppy Seed Salad. Grilled chicken or shrimp work great in this dish. They add flavor and make the salad more filling. Just slice them up and toss them in. For a vegetarian option, try adding chickpeas. They are healthy and add a nice texture. Simply drain and rinse them before mixing them in. Feel free to get creative with seasonal fruits. You can swap out strawberries for other berries like blueberries or raspberries. Peaches or mangoes also work well in summer. This lets you adapt the salad based on what you have. Use the freshest fruits for the best taste. If you need gluten-free options, this salad is already a winner. All the main ingredients are gluten-free. For a nut-free alternative, skip the candied pecans. You can add sunflower seeds for crunch instead. This keeps the salad tasty while catering to different diets. To keep your Strawberry Spinach Poppy Seed Salad fresh, store it in an airtight container. This method helps prevent wilting and keeps flavors bright. If you have leftovers, the salad will stay good for about one day in the fridge. The fresh spinach and strawberries break down quickly, losing their crispness. You can keep the dressing separate to help maintain quality. Can the salad be frozen? No, I do not recommend freezing this salad. Freezing can change the texture of the spinach and strawberries. However, you can freeze the dressing! To do this, pour the dressing into ice cube trays. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a bag. This way, you can easily use the dressing later. To refresh the salad before serving, gently toss it with some fresh spinach and a bit of dressing. This adds a nice crunch and flavor. Do not heat the salad; it is best served cold. If you want to maintain quality, avoid adding feta cheese or nuts until right before serving. To make the salad vegan, simply swap out the feta cheese. You can use a plant-based cheese or leave it out entirely. You can also replace honey with maple syrup or agave nectar. This keeps the sweetness and makes it vegan-friendly. Yes, you can prepare the salad in advance. However, I recommend storing the dressing separately. This helps keep the salad fresh. The salad will stay fresh for about one day in the fridge. To enjoy, just add the dressing just before serving. The poppy seed dressing is a great match for this salad. It adds a nice sweetness and tang. If you want to try something different, consider balsamic vinaigrette or a lemon olive oil dressing. These options will still taste fantastic with the spinach and strawberries. This blog post covered a fresh spinach salad with strawberries. We talked about its simple ingredients, making the dressing, and assembly steps. You learned tips for serving, storage, and variations to suit your needs. In the end, salads can be fun and flexible. Feel free to mix and match ingredients to create your favorite version. Enjoy making your next salad an exciting part of your meal!

Strawberry Spinach Poppy Seed Salad

A fresh and vibrant salad featuring spinach, strawberries, and a poppy seed dressing.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups fresh spinach, washed and dried
  • 2 cups strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 1 2 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1 4 cup candied pecans
  • 1 4 cup poppy seeds
  • 1 3 cup olive oil
  • 1 4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • to taste salt and pepper

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, and poppy seeds until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
  • In a large salad bowl, combine the fresh spinach, sliced strawberries, and red onion.
  • Drizzle half of the poppy seed dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat the greens evenly.
  • Add the crumbled feta cheese and candied pecans to the salad, and lightly toss again.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more dressing as desired.
  • Serve immediately as a fresh, vibrant side dish or light main meal.

Notes

Serve the salad in a large bowl or individual plates, garnished with extra strawberries and a sprinkle of poppy seeds for added visual appeal.
Keyword healthy, poppy seed, salad, spinach, strawberry