Make-Ahead Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
Strawberry spinach salad works beautifully for meal prep because the components hold up well when stored separately. You can wash the spinach, slice the strawberries, and make the dressing up to two days ahead.
Just toss everything together right before serving to keep the spinach crisp and vibrant.
Why Store Components Separately
The key to make-ahead success is keeping wet and dry ingredients apart until serving time. Spinach wilts quickly when dressed, and strawberries release juice that can make everything soggy.
Store the washed spinach in a sealed container with paper towels to absorb moisture. Keep sliced strawberries in a separate container, and the poppy seed dressing in a jar. Everything stays fresh for up to 48 hours this way.
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Getting the Best Strawberries
Choose strawberries that are deep red with bright green tops and no soft spots. They should smell sweet at the stem end. Slightly underripe berries actually work better here than very soft ones since they won’t break down as quickly.
Slice strawberries no more than 1/4-inch thick so they distribute evenly throughout the salad. Pat them dry with paper towels after slicing to remove excess moisture.
Make-Ahead Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
Ingredients
Dressing
Equipment Needed
- Large salad bowl
- Small mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Airtight storage containers
Instructions
- Prep spinach: Wash spinach thoroughly and dry completely using a salad spinner or paper towels. Remove any thick stems. Store in an airtight container lined with paper towels if making ahead.
- Slice strawberries: Hull strawberries and slice into 1/4-inch thick pieces. Pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Store separately if making ahead.
- Make dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, poppy seeds, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld.
- Assemble salad: Just before serving, combine spinach, sliced strawberries, chopped pecans, crumbled feta, and red onion in a large salad bowl. Drizzle with desired amount of dressing and toss gently until evenly coated.
Nutrition Facts
Per Serving (1 serving)
