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strawberry spinach salad with poppy seed

Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

A vibrant, refreshing salad combining fresh spinach, sweet strawberries, crunchy nuts, and a tangy homemade poppy seed dressing. Perfect for a light lunch or a sophisticated side dish.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Lunch, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 280
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Salad Ingredients
  • 5 ounces Fresh Baby Spinach Rinsed and dried
  • 1 pint Fresh Strawberries Hulled and quartered
  • 1/2 cup Sliced Almonds Toasted
  • 1/4 cup Red Onion Thinly sliced
  • 4 ounces Feta Cheese or Goat Cheese Crumbled (optional)
Poppy Seed Dressing Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup Vegetable Oil Or canola oil
  • 1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons Granulated Sugar Adjust to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Poppy Seeds
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon Black Pepper

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl or mason jar, combine the apple cider vinegar, sugar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Whisk vigorously until the sugar is mostly dissolved.
  2. Slowly drizzle in the vegetable oil while continuously whisking until the dressing emulsifies. Stir in the poppy seeds and set the dressing aside.
  3. If your almonds are not already toasted, quickly toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Let them cool completely.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the baby spinach, quartered strawberries, thinly sliced red onion, and cooled toasted almonds.
  5. Just before serving, drizzle about half of the poppy seed dressing over the salad mixture. Gently toss the ingredients together until lightly coated.
  6. Divide the salad among serving plates. Top each serving with crumbled feta or goat cheese, if desired. Serve immediately with any remaining dressing on the side.

Notes

For a heartier salad, consider adding grilled chicken breasts or pecans instead of almonds. Toasting the almonds enhances their flavor significantly. Make the dressing up to 3 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator.