Strawberry Spinach Poppy Seed (Printable)
Sweet strawberries and spinach combined with creamy feta and crunchy pecans. Tossed in tangy poppy seed dressing.
# What You Need:
→ Salad
01 - 6 cups fresh baby spinach, washed and dried
02 - 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
03 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
04 - 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
05 - 1/2 cup toasted pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped
06 - 1/4 cup sunflower seeds (optional)
→ Poppy Seed Dressing
07 - 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
08 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
09 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
11 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
12 - 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# Steps:
01 - Whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and poppy seeds in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper; set aside.
02 - In a large bowl, combine baby spinach, strawberries, red onion, feta cheese, pecans, and sunflower seeds if using.
03 - Drizzle the poppy seed dressing over the salad and toss gently to evenly coat all ingredients.
04 - Serve immediately to preserve freshness and texture.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It comes together in the time it takes to set the table, no cooking or complicated prep required.
- The sweet-tart balance between berries and vinegar makes every bite feel bright and satisfying without being heavy.
- You can toss it together with whatever nuts or cheese you have, and it still tastes like you planned it all along.
02 -
- Do not dress the salad until the last possible moment or the spinach will wilt and the whole thing turns soggy and sad within minutes.
- Toast your nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat, shaking often, they go from perfect to burnt in seconds so do not walk away.
- Slice the red onion as thin as you can, thick rings will overpower every other flavor and leave a sharp aftertaste.
03 -
- Make a double batch of the dressing and keep it on hand, it is fantastic on roasted vegetables, grain bowls, or even as a marinade for chicken.
- If your strawberries are not very sweet, toss them with a tiny pinch of sugar before adding them to the salad to coax out their natural flavor.
- Use a salad spinner to dry your spinach thoroughly, any lingering water will dilute the dressing and make everything taste flat.