Spinach Strawberry Salad Delight (Printable)

Tender spinach and juicy strawberries tossed with crunchy nuts and a sweet poppy seed dressing.

# What you need:

→ Salad

01 - 5 oz fresh baby spinach leaves
02 - 9 oz strawberries, hulled and sliced
03 - ½ cup toasted pecans or sliced almonds
04 - ½ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
05 - 2 tablespoons red onion, thinly sliced (optional)

→ Sweet Poppy Seed Dressing

06 - ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
08 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
09 - 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
10 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
11 - ¼ teaspoon sea salt
12 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - In a large bowl, mix spinach, strawberries, nuts, feta, and red onion if using.
02 - Whisk olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey or maple syrup, poppy seeds, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until well emulsified.
03 - Pour dressing over salad and gently toss to evenly coat all components.
04 - Serve immediately to maintain freshness and texture.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in 15 minutes, which means you can make it even on nights when cooking feels like too much.
  • The contrast between soft spinach, juicy strawberries, and crunchy nuts keeps every bite interesting.
  • That poppy seed dressing is secretly the star—slightly sweet, slightly tangy, and way better than any bottled version you've ever tried.
02 -
  • Don't dress the salad more than 5 minutes before serving, or the spinach will start to wilt and the nuts will soften.
  • Make the dressing in a jar and shake it hard—whisking in a bowl is fine, but shaking in a jar emulsifies it better and it tastes creamier.
03 -
  • Toast your own nuts if you have time—20 minutes at 350°F makes them taste like a completely different ingredient, deeper and more authentic.
  • Chill your salad bowl for 10 minutes before adding the salad; it keeps everything crisp and cool longer.
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