Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe

In a world where salads often play second fiddle to more decadent dishes, the Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing shines like a culinary superstar. Imagine crisp spinach leaves mingling with sweet strawberries while a creamy dressing brings it all together in harmony. This salad is about to become your new favorite sidekick for picnics and potlucks.

it’s a sunny afternoon, and you’re hosting a gathering of friends or family. You whip up this vibrant salad, and suddenly everyone’s raving about it. It’s not just a dish; it’s an experience filled with laughter and the joy of sharing delicious food.

I once made this delightful salad for a summer barbecue, and let’s just say I almost had to fight my cousin for the last serving. Everyone was asking for the recipe while I pretended I was some sort of salad wizard.

Essential Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:

• Fresh Spinach: Opt for vibrant green leaves; they provide essential nutrients and give your salad that lovely crunch.
• Strawberries: Choose ripe ones for maximum sweetness; their juicy nature complements the earthy spinach perfectly.
• Red Onion: Thinly slice for an aromatic kick; it adds depth without overwhelming the other flavors.
• Poppy Seeds: These tiny seeds provide a nice crunch and nutty flavor; they’re essential in our dressing.
• Vegetable Oil: Use high-quality oil for the dressing; it helps emulsify everything together smoothly.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: This tangy ingredient brightens up the dressing; it balances well with the sweetness of strawberries.
• Honey: It adds natural sweetness to the dressing; feel free to adjust based on your taste preference.
• Salt & Pepper: Essential seasoning to enhance all flavors; don’t skip these little guys!

The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.

Let’s Make It Together

Prepare Your Ingredients: Wash the fresh spinach under cold water and pat dry gently. Slice your strawberries into bite-sized pieces while admiring their ruby-red glory.

Mix the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together vegetable oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, poppy seeds, salt, and pepper until well combined. Taste and tweak if you prefer more sweetness or tanginess.

Combine Spinach and Strawberries: In a large bowl, add fresh spinach leaves and sliced strawberries. Toss them gently so that each leaf gets embraced by those luscious berries.

Dress It Up: Drizzle your homemade poppy seed dressing over the salad mixture. Toss carefully until everything is coated beautifully—like giving your salad a delightful spa treatment!

Final Touches: Add thin slices of red onion on top for that extra zing right before serving. This step elevates your salad from delicious to absolutely fabulous!

This Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing is not just food; it’s happiness on a plate! Enjoy this as a side or main dish at any gathering or even at home alone—because sometimes you deserve that kind of love too!

Perfecting the Cooking Process

Begin by washing and drying your spinach and strawberries first. Then, whisk together the poppy seed dressing while the salad ingredients are prepped to ensure everything is fresh and flavorful.

Add Your Touch

Feel free to swap out strawberries for seasonal fruits like blueberries or peaches. Add nuts or seeds for extra crunch, and experiment with different dressings to find your favorite flavor combination.

Storing & Reheating

Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the fridge without dressing. Add dressing right before serving to keep the spinach crisp and fresh.

Sharing a delightful moment when my niece first tasted this salad was heartwarming; her eyes lit up as she savored each bite! It was such a joy to see her enjoy healthy food.

FAQ

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, but store dressing separately until just before serving for freshness.

What can I substitute for poppy seeds?

Try using sunflower seeds or sesame seeds if you don’t have poppy seeds available.

Is this salad gluten-free?

Absolutely! This Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing is naturally gluten-free and delicious.

Did You Enjoy Making This Recipe? Please rate this recipe with ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ or leave a comment.

📖 Recipe Card

Print

Delicious Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

• Author: Sophie
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: Serves 4

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Bright, refreshing, and packed with flavor, this Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing is a perfect choice for summer picnics and light lunches.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cups fresh spinach leaves
• 1 cup ripe strawberries, sliced
• 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Thoroughly wash and dry the spinach leaves. Slice the strawberries and red onion.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together vegetable oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, poppy seeds, salt, and pepper until well combined.
3. In a large bowl, gently combine spinach leaves and sliced strawberries.
4. Drizzle the dressing over the salad mixture and toss until evenly coated.
5. Top with sliced red onion just before serving for an added zing.

Notes

• For added crunch, consider incorporating nuts or seeds.
•  Substitute strawberries with seasonal fruits like blueberries or peaches for variety.
•  Store leftover salad in an airtight container without dressing to maintain freshness.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Salad
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cup (150g)
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 50mg
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 14g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 0mg