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Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe with Easy Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

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A refreshing and crisp salad combining sweet strawberries, tender baby spinach, crunchy pecans, and a luscious creamy poppy seed dressing. Perfect for a light, satisfying meal during spring and summer.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 5 cups fresh baby spinach leaves, washed and dried
  • 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 1/2 cup pecans, roughly chopped and toasted
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion (optional)
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese (optional)
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prep the Salad Ingredients (10 minutes): Rinse and thoroughly dry the baby spinach leaves using a salad spinner or clean kitchen towel. Hull and slice the strawberries into even pieces. Thinly slice the red onion if using, and roughly chop the pecans. Toast pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3–4 minutes, stirring often, until fragrant and lightly browned. Set aside to cool.
  2. Make the Dressing (5 minutes): In a small bowl or jar, combine 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon poppy seeds, and 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard. Whisk or shake vigorously until smooth and creamy. Taste and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. If you want a thinner consistency, add a teaspoon of water at a time until desired texture is reached.
  3. Assemble the Salad (5 minutes): In the large mixing bowl, gently toss the spinach, sliced strawberries, red onion, and toasted pecans. Crumble feta or goat cheese over the top if using. Drizzle the creamy poppy seed dressing over the salad and toss lightly to coat everything evenly. Avoid overdressing; you want each bite to have a hint of that sweet tanginess without sogginess.
  4. Serve Immediately: Transfer to individual plates or a serving bowl. The salad is best enjoyed fresh to keep the spinach crisp and the dressing vibrant.

Notes

Toast pecans carefully over medium heat for 3–4 minutes to enhance flavor. If dressing is too thick, thin with a teaspoon of water or milk/buttermilk. Assemble salad just before serving to keep spinach crisp. For dairy-free, omit cheese or use plant-based alternative. Dressing can be made vegan by substituting mayonnaise with vegan mayo and honey with maple syrup.

Nutrition

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

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