Beginner-Friendly Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
Strawberry spinach salad combines sweet berries with tender greens and a tangy poppy seed dressing. It’s one of those salads that looks fancy but comes together in minutes.
You’ll love how the sweet strawberries balance the mild spinach, while the poppy seed dressing adds just enough zip to tie everything together.
Why Fresh Strawberries Make All the Difference
Fresh strawberries are worth seeking out for this salad since they’re the star ingredient. Look for berries that are bright red with green tops still attached – they’ll be sweeter and hold their shape better when sliced.
Avoid strawberries with white or green shoulders, as they were picked too early and won’t have much flavor. If your berries aren’t quite ripe enough, let them sit at room temperature for a day before using.
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Beginner-Friendly Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
Equipment Needed
- Large salad bowl
- Small mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
Instructions
- Make dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, poppy seeds, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined. The dressing should look creamy and the honey should be completely dissolved.
- Prepare greens and fruit: Wash and thoroughly dry the spinach, then place it in a large salad bowl. Hull the strawberries and slice them into 1/4-inch thick pieces.
- Assemble and dress salad: Add sliced strawberries, crumbled feta cheese, toasted almonds, and thinly sliced red onion to the spinach. Drizzle with the poppy seed dressing and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Serve fresh: Serve immediately while the spinach is crisp and the strawberries are fresh. The salad is best enjoyed within 30 minutes of dressing to prevent wilting.
Nutrition Facts
Per Serving (1 serving)
