Hi👋 I’m MARILYN, a 34-year-old from the United Kingdom. Cooking is my passion, and I love sharing delicious, easy-to-follow recipes. Join me on marilynrecipes.com to explore a world of culinary delights, from comforting classics to innovative creations. Let’s make cooking fun and enjoyable for everyone! Cooking is about more than just food it’s about sharing stories and making memories.
I’ll never forget the first time I made this Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing. It was a bright spring morning, and I wanted something light, colorful, and fresh for a family brunch. I remember hulling the strawberries and feeling their juicy aroma fill the kitchen while the spinach leaves glistened with freshness. The sweet and tangy poppy seed dressing tied it all together perfectly. My family couldn’t stop smiling after the first bite, and from that day, this salad has been a regular in our home.
This salad isn’t just a side dish it’s a celebration of color, flavor, and warmth. It’s perfect for sunny lunches, casual dinners, or a quick refreshing meal when you want something simple but satisfying. Every bite is sweet, crunchy, and full of love.
Why I Love Making This Recipe
I love making this salad because it’s simple, healthy, and always a crowd-pleaser. The sweetness of the strawberries combined with the crisp baby spinach feels fresh and luxurious without being complicated. Toasted almonds or candied pecans add a crunchy texture that everyone enjoys, and the creamy feta provides a little indulgence.
Making this salad is also a family activity. My nieces love helping me toss the salad while my husband insists on adding the dressing. The process of preparing it together brings laughter and little conversations, making the meal more than just about food—it becomes a memory.
Ingredients & Little Kitchen Secrets
For the Salad:
- 6 cups fresh baby spinach, washed and dried
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- ½ cup thinly sliced red onion
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional, but adds creaminess)
- ½ cup sliced almonds or candied pecans, toasted
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
For the Poppy Seed Dressing:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
- Pinch of salt and black pepper
Little Kitchen Secrets:
- Toast the nuts over medium heat for 5–7 minutes for a rich, nutty flavor.
- Slice strawberries right before serving to keep them fresh and juicy.
- Adjust the honey or vinegar in the dressing depending on your taste for sweetness or tanginess.
How I Make It, Step by Step
- Prepare the spinach: Make sure it’s completely washed and dried. I love using a salad spinner it makes this effortless.
- Prepare the strawberries: Hull and slice them evenly so the salad looks beautiful.
- Slice onions and tomatoes: Thin slices of red onion add a gentle bite; halved cherry tomatoes add a juicy pop.
- Toast the nuts: In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast almonds or pecans for 5–7 minutes, shaking occasionally to prevent burning. This adds a warm, nutty aroma and a crunch.
- Make the dressing: Whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, honey, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, salt, and pepper until smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine spinach, strawberries, onions, and cherry tomatoes.
- Dress the salad: Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat evenly.
- Add finishing touches: Sprinkle crumbled feta and toasted nuts on top for extra flavor and texture.
How I Serve It at Home
I love serving this salad in a large wooden bowl at the center of the table so everyone can help themselves. For brunch, I pair it with croissants or a light quiche. For dinner, it’s perfect alongside grilled chicken or salmon. The vibrant reds, greens, and the crunch of nuts make it visually stunning and irresistible.
This salad is also a hit at picnics and potlucks. I usually keep the dressing separate until just before serving to avoid soggy spinach and strawberries.
Storage, Reheating & Make-Ahead Tips
- Storage: Keep leftovers in airtight containers. The spinach salad is best eaten the same day or within a day, while the dressing lasts 5–7 days in the fridge.
- Make-ahead: You can prepare the dressing and toast the nuts the day before. Store strawberries and spinach separately and toss together right before serving.
- Avoid sogginess: Always dress the salad right before eating to keep it crisp and vibrant.
100-Word Short Version
This Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing is a colorful, refreshing, and healthy family favorite. Crisp baby spinach, juicy strawberries, red onions, and toasted almonds combine beautifully with a creamy poppy seed dressing. Feta cheese adds richness, while cherry tomatoes provide a burst of flavor. It’s easy to prepare, visually stunning, and perfect for brunch, lunch, or a light dinner side. Make the dressing ahead for convenience, but toss it with the salad just before serving to maintain freshness. Every bite is sweet, crunchy, and full of love a salad that brings smiles to the table.
Recipe Card
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes (for toasting nuts)
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients:
- 6 cups fresh baby spinach, washed and dried
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- ½ cup thinly sliced red onion
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
- ½ cup sliced almonds or candied pecans, toasted
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
- Pinch of salt and black pepper
Instructions:
- Wash and dry spinach thoroughly.
- Hull and slice strawberries.
- Thinly slice red onions and cherry tomatoes if using.
- Toast nuts in a skillet for 5–7 minutes, shaking occasionally.
- Whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, honey, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, salt, and pepper.
- Combine spinach, strawberries, onions, and tomatoes in a large bowl.
- Pour dressing over the salad and toss gently.
- Sprinkle feta and toasted nuts on top before serving.
Notes:
- Toasting nuts enhances flavor.
- Dress salad just before serving to prevent sogginess.
- Dressing can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to a week.
Nutrition (per serving, approximate):
Calories: 210
Fat: 15g
Carbs: 15g
Protein: 5g
Sugar: 9g
Fiber: 3g
Sodium: 150mg
Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Tossing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing is a colorful, refreshing, and healthy salad perfect for family meals or brunch. Sweet strawberries, crisp spinach, crunchy nuts, and optional feta come together in a sweet and tangy homemade poppy seed dressing for a dish that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
Ingredients
- 6 cups fresh baby spinach, washed and dried
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- ½ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
- ½ cup sliced almonds or candied pecans, toasted
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
- Pinch of salt and black pepper
Instructions
- Wash and dry the spinach thoroughly.
- Hull and slice strawberries.
- Thinly slice red onions and cherry tomatoes if using.
- Toast almonds or pecans in a skillet for 5–7 minutes, shaking occasionally.
- Whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, honey, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, salt, and pepper.
- Combine spinach, strawberries, onions, and tomatoes in a large bowl.
- Pour dressing over salad and toss gently.
- Top with feta and toasted nuts before serving.
Notes
Toast nuts for added flavor. Dress salad just before serving to avoid sogginess. Dressing can be made ahead and stored up to a week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Conclusion
Making this Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing always brings warmth to my heart. It’s not just about the flavors the sweetness of strawberries, the crunch of nuts, and the creaminess of feta but about sharing smiles, creating memories, and celebrating the simple joys of life. I hope this recipe becomes a favorite in your home, just as it is in mine. Cooking is love, and this salad is overflowing with it.