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- 4 cups fresh baby spinach leaves - 2 cups juicy strawberries, hulled and elegantly sliced - 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced for a delightful crunch - 1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted to perfection - 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional for a creamy touch) - 1/4 cup high-quality olive oil - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar for a tangy kick - 1 tablespoon honey to balance flavors - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard for depth - 1 tablespoon poppy seeds to add a delightful texture - Salt and pepper to taste for seasoning This salad is all about freshness and flavor. I love using fresh baby spinach. It gives the salad a vibrant base. Juicy strawberries add a pop of color and sweetness. The red onion provides a nice crunch and sharpness. For a nutty twist, I use slivered almonds. They should be toasted lightly for the best flavor. If you want a creamy touch, sprinkle in some feta cheese. For the dressing, I keep it simple yet tasty. High-quality olive oil makes a huge difference. Apple cider vinegar adds a tangy note that brightens the salad. Honey brings in sweetness, balancing out the flavors. Dijon mustard adds warmth and depth. Poppy seeds give a delightful crunch. Don’t forget to season with salt and pepper! These ingredients work together to create a refreshing dish that is full of life. Plus, this salad is quick to make, perfect for busy days! {{ingredient_image_2}} - First, grab a large bowl. Add 4 cups of fresh baby spinach leaves. - Next, layer 2 cups of sliced strawberries on top of the spinach. - Add 1/2 cup of thinly sliced red onion for a crunchy bite. - Take 1/2 cup of slivered almonds and place them in a small skillet. - Heat the skillet on medium. Stir the almonds often for about 3-4 minutes. - Watch them closely to avoid burning. They should turn golden brown when done. - In a separate bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. - Add 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard for flavor. - Toss in 1 tablespoon of poppy seeds, plus salt and pepper to taste. - Blend everything until smooth and the flavors mix well. - Once the almonds cool, sprinkle them over the salad. - If you like, add 1/4 cup of crumbled feta cheese for creaminess. - Drizzle the poppyseed dressing over the top. - Toss the salad gently to coat all the ingredients without bruising them. - Use a large, shallow bowl for a beautiful display. - Garnish with strawberry halves for a pop of color. - Sprinkle extra poppy seeds on top for a nice touch. - Consider adding goat cheese for creaminess. - Top with crispy bacon for a savory twist. - Adjust sweetness by adding more honey if needed. - Add more apple cider vinegar for a tangy kick. - Serve this salad at summer picnics or barbecues. - Great as a light lunch on warm days. - Pair with grilled chicken for a complete meal. - Enjoy with fish for a fresh seafood feast. Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: For the best flavor, always opt for the freshest spinach and strawberries available. Locally sourced or in-season produce will make your salad taste even better. Customize Your Nuts: Feel free to experiment with different types of nuts such as walnuts or pecans to add a unique flavor profile to your salad. Make Ahead Tips: If preparing in advance, store the dressing separately and add it just before serving to keep the spinach crisp and fresh. Dress for Success: When tossing the salad, start with a small amount of dressing and add more as needed. This prevents overdressing and allows you to control the flavor intensity. {{image_4}} You can change this salad with fresh fruits all year long. In spring, try adding sliced peaches or cherries. In summer, blueberries or raspberries work well. Fall brings apples or pears, while winter can feature citrus fruits like oranges. You can also switch the greens in this salad. Try kale or arugula for a different taste. Both add a nice texture and flavor. If you want a vegan version, skip the feta cheese. Use maple syrup instead of honey to keep it plant-based. For a gluten-free option, ensure the Dijon mustard and any other ingredients you use are gluten-free. If you have nut allergies, you can replace almonds with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds. These still give a nice crunch. You can play with different nuts in this salad. Walnuts or pecans add a rich taste. If you want to change the cheese, try goat cheese or skip it entirely for a lighter salad. Infusing the dressing with herbs can elevate the flavor. Fresh basil or mint adds a unique spin. Just chop them finely and mix them in. This small change can make your salad feel new and exciting. To keep your Strawberry Spinach Salad fresh, store it in an airtight container. This prevents air from making the salad soggy. If you have leftover dressing, store it separately. This helps keep the salad crisp. Glass or plastic containers work well. Make sure they seal tightly to avoid spills. In the fridge, your salad will stay fresh for about 1-2 days. After that, the spinach can wilt and the strawberries might spoil. Look for signs of spoilage like brown leaves or mushy strawberries. If you see these signs, it’s best to toss the salad. Always check before eating leftovers for safety. Yes, you can prepare this salad ahead of time. I suggest making it no more than a few hours in advance. This helps keep the spinach crisp. You can mix all the ingredients, except for the dressing. Store the salad in the fridge until you're ready to serve. Add the dressing just before serving to keep it fresh. If you don't have poppy seeds, you can try using sesame seeds. They add a nice crunch and flavor. Chopped nuts like walnuts or sunflower seeds also work well. These options keep your salad tasty and interesting. Absolutely! You can add protein to your salad. Grilled chicken, chickpeas, or even hard-boiled eggs are great choices. These additions make the salad heartier and can turn it into a full meal. You can easily tweak the dressing to fit your taste. If you want it sweeter, add more honey. For more tang, increase the apple cider vinegar. Taste as you mix to find the perfect balance. This way, your dressing will match your preference perfectly. This salad recipe brings fresh ingredients and vibrant flavors together. You learned how to prepare the base, toast almonds, and create a delicious poppyseed dressing. I shared tips for serving and ways to customize the dish. Remember, you can adapt this salad by adding seasonal fruits or dietary options. Enjoy making it your own! This salad can brighten any meal and is fun to serve. Keep it fresh and tasty with proper storage, and dig into this delightful dish anytime you want a healthy treat!

Refreshing Strawberry Spinach Salad with Velvety Poppyseed Dressing

A vibrant salad featuring fresh baby spinach, juicy strawberries, and a creamy poppyseed dressing.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups fresh baby spinach leaves
  • 2 cups juicy strawberries, hulled and elegantly sliced
  • 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
  • 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
  • 1/4 cup high-quality olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  • to taste salt and pepper

Instructions
 

  • In a large mixing bowl, place the fresh baby spinach leaves as your base. Layer the sliced strawberries and thinly sliced red onion on top to create a vibrant and colorful salad.
  • In a small skillet over medium heat, add the slivered almonds. Toast them, stirring frequently, until they turn golden brown, which should take about 3-4 minutes. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning. Once toasted, remove from heat and set aside to cool.
  • Meanwhile, in a separate small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard. Add the poppy seeds, salt, and pepper. Blend until the dressing is smooth and all ingredients are combined harmoniously.
  • Once the toasted almonds have cooled, sprinkle them generously over the salad alongside the crumbled feta cheese, if you have chosen to include it.
  • With a gentle hand, drizzle the prepared poppyseed dressing over the salad. Toss the ingredients lightly to ensure they are well coated, taking care not to bruise the spinach or strawberries.
  • For the freshest experience, serve immediately. However, if you prefer a meld of flavors, chill the salad in the refrigerator for about 10-15 minutes before enjoying.

Notes

For an elegant touch, garnish with additional strawberry halves and a light sprinkle of poppy seeds on top.
Keyword poppyseed dressing, salad, spinach, strawberry