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Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad with Candied Pecans

fresh strawberry spinach salad - featured image
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A light, refreshing summer salad featuring baby spinach, juicy strawberries, and sweet candied pecans, tossed with a homemade poppy seed dressing. Perfect for backyard BBQs, light lunches, or as a vibrant side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups baby spinach (about 180g), washed and dried
  • 2 cups fresh strawberries (about 300g), hulled and sliced
  • 1 cup candied pecans (120g)
  • ½ cup feta cheese (75g), crumbled (optional)
  • ¼ cup red onion (40g), thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup olive oil (60ml, extra virgin preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar (30ml)
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (15ml)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (5ml)
  • 1 teaspoon poppy seeds (5ml)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar (25g) for candied pecans
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (1g) for candied pecans

Instructions

  1. Candy the pecans: Place 1 cup (120g) pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat. Stir frequently for 2 minutes to toast slightly.
  2. Add 2 tablespoons (25g) brown sugar and ½ teaspoon (1g) ground cinnamon, stirring constantly until sugar melts and coats the nuts, about 2-3 minutes.
  3. Transfer candied pecans to parchment paper to cool. Tip: Don’t walk away—sugar burns quickly!
  4. Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together ¼ cup (60ml) olive oil, 2 tablespoons (30ml) apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon (15ml) honey, 1 teaspoon (5ml) Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon (5ml) poppy seeds, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Set aside to let flavors meld.
  5. Wash and dry spinach thoroughly using a salad spinner or pat dry with towels to avoid sogginess.
  6. Slice strawberries into halves or quarters depending on size. Thinly slice red onion for a milder bite.
  7. In a large bowl, combine baby spinach, sliced strawberries, red onion, and crumbled feta cheese if using. Toss gently to mix.
  8. Drizzle dressing over the salad, starting with half and adding more to taste. Toss lightly to coat all ingredients.
  9. Sprinkle candied pecans on top for crunch.
  10. Serve immediately to enjoy crisp textures and vibrant flavors.

Notes

Do not overdress the salad to avoid sogginess. Dry spinach leaves thoroughly. Toast pecans before candying for enhanced flavor. Use fresh strawberries for best taste; frozen berries can be used if thawed and drained. Keep dressing and candied pecans separate if preparing ahead to maintain texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry spinach salad, candied pecans, summer salad, fresh salad, poppy seed dressing, easy salad recipe, healthy salad, gluten-free salad

Find it online: https://jodierecipes.com/fresh-strawberry-spinach-salad-with-candied-pecans-easy-recipe-for-summer/