Print

Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe with Easy Poppyseed Dressing for Summer

fresh strawberry spinach salad - featured image
Print Recipe

A bright and refreshing summer salad featuring fresh baby spinach, ripe strawberries, toasted nuts, and a tangy-sweet poppyseed dressing with a creamy Greek yogurt twist. Perfect for quick, crowd-pleasing meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 5 cups fresh baby spinach leaves, washed and dried
  • 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 1/2 cup sliced almonds or pecans, toasted
  • 1/4 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese (optional)
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon poppyseeds
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Rinse 5 cups of baby spinach leaves under cold water and dry thoroughly to keep salad crisp (about 5 minutes).
  2. Hull and slice 2 cups of fresh strawberries into thin pieces (3-4 minutes).
  3. Toast 1/2 cup of sliced almonds or pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove from heat and cool.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon poppyseeds, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, and 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt. Add salt and pepper to taste and whisk until smooth and creamy (5 minutes).
  5. In a large bowl, combine dried spinach, sliced strawberries, toasted nuts, and if using, 1/4 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese.
  6. Pour the poppyseed dressing over the salad and toss gently but thoroughly to coat every leaf without bruising the spinach.
  7. Serve immediately for best freshness. If needed, chill briefly and add nuts just before serving to retain crunch.

Notes

Toast nuts carefully on medium heat to avoid burning. Dry spinach thoroughly to prevent soggy salad. Dressing can be made up to 2 days ahead and whisked before use. Use ripe strawberries for best flavor. For dairy-free or vegan versions, substitute mayo and yogurt with vegan alternatives and omit cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry spinach salad, poppyseed dressing, summer salad, fresh salad, easy salad recipe, healthy salad, crowd-pleaser salad

Find it online: https://forkmila.com/fresh-strawberry-spinach-salad-recipe-with-easy-poppyseed-dressing-for-summer/