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Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe with Easy Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

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A quick and easy fresh strawberry spinach salad with a homemade creamy poppy seed dressing, perfect for spring and summer meals. This salad balances sweet, tangy, and crunchy flavors for a light yet satisfying dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups fresh baby spinach (loosely packed)
  • 1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • ½ cup sliced almonds, toasted
  • ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine ½ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons honey, and 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar. Whisk together until smooth and creamy.
  2. Add 1 tablespoon poppy seeds, then season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Whisk again to distribute the seeds evenly. The dressing should be thick but pourable.
  3. Place ½ cup sliced almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat. Stir frequently for 3-4 minutes, until golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  4. Rinse baby spinach thoroughly and spin dry or pat with paper towels to remove moisture. Hull and slice 1 pint of fresh strawberries into thin slices. Thinly slice ¼ small red onion if using.
  5. In a large salad bowl, combine the fresh spinach, sliced strawberries, toasted almonds, crumbled feta cheese, and red onion slices.
  6. Drizzle about half the creamy poppy seed dressing over the salad. Using salad tongs or clean hands, gently toss to coat everything evenly. Taste and add more dressing if desired.
  7. Serve immediately, or refrigerate the dressing separately and toss just before serving to keep the salad crisp. If refrigerated, allow the dressing to come to room temperature and whisk before using.

Notes

Toast almonds carefully to avoid burning; use a salad spinner or pat spinach dry to prevent sogginess; keep dressing separate if prepping ahead to maintain salad freshness; gentle tossing preserves spinach and strawberry texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry spinach salad, creamy poppy seed dressing, fresh salad, easy salad recipe, summer salad, healthy salad, quick salad

Find it online: https://elvafood.com/fresh-strawberry-spinach-salad-recipe-with-easy-creamy-poppy-seed-dressing/