Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe

by Chloe on July 2, 2025

Are you ready to enjoy a burst of flavor? This Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing is a perfect blend of sweet and savory. Fresh baby spinach, ripe strawberries, tangy feta, and crunchy walnuts come together for a delightful dish. Plus, the easy homemade dressing ties everything together beautifully. Let’s dive into this refreshing recipe that will impress your friends and family!

$- 4 cups fresh baby spinach, thoroughly washed and carefully dried - 2 cups ripe strawberries, hulled and elegantly sliced - 1/2 cup red onion, ultra-thinly sliced for a mild flavor - 1/4 cup creamy feta cheese, crumbled - 1/4 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped for a crunchy texture - 1/4 cup high-quality extra virgin olive oil - 2 tablespoons tangy apple cider vinegar - 1 tablespoon sweet honey - 1 tablespoon poppy seeds for added interest - Salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste - Each serving has about 200 calories. - You get around 15g of fat, 10g of carbs, and 5g of protein. - Baby spinach is rich in vitamins A and K. Strawberries add fiber and antioxidants. Feta cheese gives calcium, while walnuts offer healthy fats and protein. This salad not only tastes great but also brings a lot of health benefits to the table. Enjoy! {{ingredient_image_2}} 1. Start with 4 cups of fresh baby spinach. 2. Rinse the spinach under cool water. 3. Use a salad spinner or a clean towel to dry the spinach. 4. Next, take 2 cups of ripe strawberries. 5. Hull and slice the strawberries. Aim for even slices. 6. Then, grab 1/2 cup of red onion. 7. Slice the red onion ultra-thin for a mild flavor. 1. Place the washed spinach in a large bowl. 2. Layer the sliced strawberries over the spinach. 3. Add the thinly sliced red onion next. 4. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of crumbled feta cheese on top. 5. Lastly, add 1/4 cup of coarsely chopped walnuts for crunch. 1. In a small bowl, mix together the dressing ingredients. 2. Combine 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of honey. 3. Add 1 tablespoon of poppy seeds to the mixture. 4. Whisk the ingredients well until they blend into a smooth dressing. 1. Drizzle the poppy seed dressing over the salad. 2. Toss the salad gently to coat every leaf and topping. 3. Taste the salad and add salt and pepper as needed. 4. Serve the salad in large bowls for a beautiful presentation. 5. For extra flair, garnish with more sliced strawberries and a sprig of mint. To make your salad look fancy, use large, clear bowls. The colors of the greens and strawberries pop beautifully. You can enhance the look by adding extra sliced strawberries on top. A sprig of fresh mint also adds a nice touch. Mint gives a fresh scent and bright color. If you want a different taste, try goat cheese instead of feta cheese. It has a creamy texture and tangy flavor. For a nut-free version, replace walnuts with sunflower seeds. They add a nice crunch without nuts. To add more crunch, consider adding crispy bacon bits or crunchy chickpeas. They add flavor and texture to the salad. Balance the dressing's flavors by tasting it before serving. If it’s too sweet, add a tiny bit more vinegar. If it’s too tangy, a little honey can help. Pro Tips Choose Fresh Ingredients: Select vibrant, fresh strawberries and crisp spinach to enhance the overall flavor and appearance of your salad. Customize Your Nuts: Feel free to substitute walnuts with pecans or almonds for a different texture and taste that complements the salad beautifully. Make Ahead Dressing: Prepare the poppy seed dressing in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week, allowing the flavors to meld together. Add Protein: Consider adding grilled chicken or chickpeas to make this salad a heartier meal, perfect for lunch or dinner. {{image_4}} You can make this salad special by using seasonal berries. Fresh blueberries or blackberries add unique flavors. During fall, try adding sliced apples or pears for a crisp touch. You can also add other greens like arugula or kale. This mix gives your salad extra color and flavor. Adding protein makes this salad more filling. Grilled chicken or shrimp are great options. They add a nice smoky taste and pair well with the sweet strawberries. If you prefer vegetarian options, try chickpeas or quinoa. These options add good texture and protein to your meal. While poppy seed dressing is tasty, you can experiment with different dressings. Citrus dressings made with orange or lemon juice can brighten the salad. Adding fresh herbs like basil or mint gives it a fresh twist. These small changes can make your salad feel new each time you make it. To store leftover salad, use an airtight container. This keeps the salad fresh. Layer paper towels between the layers of salad. This absorbs extra moisture. Store it in the fridge for up to two days. Use fresh ingredients for the best taste. The poppy seed dressing lasts about a week in the fridge. Keep it in a sealed jar or container. This prevents spills and keeps the dressing fresh. You can make the dressing ahead of time. Just shake it well before using. I do not recommend freezing the salad. The spinach and strawberries become mushy when thawed. You can, however, freeze the dressing. It will keep well for up to three months. Thaw it in the fridge before using. You can keep the salad in the fridge for about 3 days. Store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh. Make sure to add the dressing just before serving. This way, the spinach stays crisp and bright. Yes, you can make the Poppy Seed Dressing a few days in advance. Store it in a sealed jar in the fridge. Give it a good shake before using. The flavors will meld nicely, making it even tastier. Absolutely! This salad is great for meal prep. You can wash and chop the spinach and strawberries ahead of time. Keep the dressing in a separate container. Combine everything when you're ready to eat for a fresh flavor. This salad pairs well with many dishes. Try serving it with grilled chicken or fish for protein. It also goes great with sandwiches or wraps for lunch. The sweet and savory flavor makes it a perfect side. This blog post covered how to make a tasty Strawberry Spinach Salad. We discussed fresh ingredients, like baby spinach and ripe strawberries, along with a simple poppy seed dressing. You learned step-by-step instructions to prepare, assemble, and serve the salad. I shared tips for presentation, ingredient substitutes, and variations to enhance flavor. Remember, this salad is not just healthy; it's also fun to make. Enjoy experimenting and tailoring the recipe to your tastes. Your healthy plate awaits!$

Why I Love This Recipe

Fresh Ingredients: This salad features vibrant, fresh ingredients that not only taste amazing but also provide a burst of nutrients.

Quick Preparation: With a total prep time of just 15 minutes, it’s the perfect dish for busy days when you want something healthy.

Colorful Presentation: The combination of strawberries, spinach, and feta creates a visually stunning dish that impresses at any gathering.

Versatile Flavor: The balance of sweet, tangy, and salty flavors makes this salad a delightful accompaniment to any meal or a satisfying stand-alone dish.

Ingredients

Fresh Ingredients

– 4 cups fresh baby spinach, thoroughly washed and carefully dried

– 2 cups ripe strawberries, hulled and elegantly sliced

– 1/2 cup red onion, ultra-thinly sliced for a mild flavor

– 1/4 cup creamy feta cheese, crumbled

– 1/4 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped for a crunchy texture

Dressing Components

– 1/4 cup high-quality extra virgin olive oil

– 2 tablespoons tangy apple cider vinegar

– 1 tablespoon sweet honey

– 1 tablespoon poppy seeds for added interest

– Salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste

Nutritional Information

– Each serving has about 200 calories.

– You get around 15g of fat, 10g of carbs, and 5g of protein.

– Baby spinach is rich in vitamins A and K. Strawberries add fiber and antioxidants. Feta cheese gives calcium, while walnuts offer healthy fats and protein.

This salad not only tastes great but also brings a lot of health benefits to the table. Enjoy!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparation of Salad Base

1. Start with 4 cups of fresh baby spinach.

2. Rinse the spinach under cool water.

3. Use a salad spinner or a clean towel to dry the spinach.

4. Next, take 2 cups of ripe strawberries.

5. Hull and slice the strawberries. Aim for even slices.

6. Then, grab 1/2 cup of red onion.

7. Slice the red onion ultra-thin for a mild flavor.

Assembling the Salad

1. Place the washed spinach in a large bowl.

2. Layer the sliced strawberries over the spinach.

3. Add the thinly sliced red onion next.

4. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of crumbled feta cheese on top.

5. Lastly, add 1/4 cup of coarsely chopped walnuts for crunch.

Making the Poppy Seed Dressing

1. In a small bowl, mix together the dressing ingredients.

2. Combine 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of honey.

3. Add 1 tablespoon of poppy seeds to the mixture.

4. Whisk the ingredients well until they blend into a smooth dressing.

Final Toss and Serving

1. Drizzle the poppy seed dressing over the salad.

2. Toss the salad gently to coat every leaf and topping.

3. Taste the salad and add salt and pepper as needed.

4. Serve the salad in large bowls for a beautiful presentation.

5. For extra flair, garnish with more sliced strawberries and a sprig of mint.

Tips & Tricks

Serving Suggestions

To make your salad look fancy, use large, clear bowls. The colors of the greens and strawberries pop beautifully. You can enhance the look by adding extra sliced strawberries on top. A sprig of fresh mint also adds a nice touch. Mint gives a fresh scent and bright color.

Ingredient Substitutes

If you want a different taste, try goat cheese instead of feta cheese. It has a creamy texture and tangy flavor. For a nut-free version, replace walnuts with sunflower seeds. They add a nice crunch without nuts.

Enhancing Flavor

To add more crunch, consider adding crispy bacon bits or crunchy chickpeas. They add flavor and texture to the salad. Balance the dressing’s flavors by tasting it before serving. If it’s too sweet, add a tiny bit more vinegar. If it’s too tangy, a little honey can help.

Pro Tips

Choose Fresh Ingredients: Select vibrant, fresh strawberries and crisp spinach to enhance the overall flavor and appearance of your salad.

Customize Your Nuts: Feel free to substitute walnuts with pecans or almonds for a different texture and taste that complements the salad beautifully.

Make Ahead Dressing: Prepare the poppy seed dressing in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Add Protein: Consider adding grilled chicken or chickpeas to make this salad a heartier meal, perfect for lunch or dinner.

Variations

Seasonal Adjustments

You can make this salad special by using seasonal berries. Fresh blueberries or blackberries add unique flavors. During fall, try adding sliced apples or pears for a crisp touch. You can also add other greens like arugula or kale. This mix gives your salad extra color and flavor.

Protein Additions

Adding protein makes this salad more filling. Grilled chicken or shrimp are great options. They add a nice smoky taste and pair well with the sweet strawberries. If you prefer vegetarian options, try chickpeas or quinoa. These options add good texture and protein to your meal.

Dressing Variations

While poppy seed dressing is tasty, you can experiment with different dressings. Citrus dressings made with orange or lemon juice can brighten the salad. Adding fresh herbs like basil or mint gives it a fresh twist. These small changes can make your salad feel new each time you make it.

Storage Info

How to Store Leftover Salad

To store leftover salad, use an airtight container. This keeps the salad fresh. Layer paper towels between the layers of salad. This absorbs extra moisture. Store it in the fridge for up to two days. Use fresh ingredients for the best taste.

Dressing Storage

The poppy seed dressing lasts about a week in the fridge. Keep it in a sealed jar or container. This prevents spills and keeps the dressing fresh. You can make the dressing ahead of time. Just shake it well before using.

Freezing Considerations

I do not recommend freezing the salad. The spinach and strawberries become mushy when thawed. You can, however, freeze the dressing. It will keep well for up to three months. Thaw it in the fridge before using.

FAQs

How long can I keep Strawberry Spinach Salad in the fridge?

You can keep the salad in the fridge for about 3 days. Store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh. Make sure to add the dressing just before serving. This way, the spinach stays crisp and bright.

Can I make the Poppy Seed Dressing ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the Poppy Seed Dressing a few days in advance. Store it in a sealed jar in the fridge. Give it a good shake before using. The flavors will meld nicely, making it even tastier.

Is this salad suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely! This salad is great for meal prep. You can wash and chop the spinach and strawberries ahead of time. Keep the dressing in a separate container. Combine everything when you’re ready to eat for a fresh flavor.

What can I serve with Strawberry Spinach Salad?

This salad pairs well with many dishes. Try serving it with grilled chicken or fish for protein. It also goes great with sandwiches or wraps for lunch. The sweet and savory flavor makes it a perfect side.

This blog post covered how to make a tasty Strawberry Spinach Salad. We discussed fresh ingredients, like baby spinach and ripe strawberries, along with a simple poppy seed dressing. You learned step-by-step instructions to prepare, assemble, and serve the salad. I shared tips for presentation, ingredient substitutes, and variations to enhance flavor. Remember, this salad is not just healthy; it’s also fun to make. Enjoy experimenting and tailoring the recipe to your tastes. Your healthy plate await