Strawberry Spinach Poppy Seed (Printable)
Vibrant blend of strawberries, spinach, feta, pecans with tangy poppy seed dressing for a light, fresh dish.
# What You Need:
→ Salad
01 - 6 cups fresh baby spinach, washed and dried
02 - 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
03 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
04 - 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
05 - 1/2 cup toasted pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped
06 - 1/4 cup sunflower seeds (optional)
→ Poppy Seed Dressing
07 - 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
08 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
09 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
11 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
12 - 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# Directions:
01 - Whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and poppy seeds in a small bowl or jar. Season with salt and pepper to taste and set aside.
02 - Combine baby spinach, sliced strawberries, red onion, feta cheese, pecans, and optional sunflower seeds in a large salad bowl.
03 - Drizzle the prepared poppy seed dressing over the salad and toss gently to ensure even coating.
04 - Serve immediately to preserve freshness and enjoy.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It comes together so fast you can make it while chatting with someone in the kitchen.
- The sweet and tangy contrast makes every bite feel bright and satisfying without being heavy.
- It looks impressive enough for company but requires zero cooking skill or stress.
02 -
- Never dress the salad more than a minute before serving or the spinach will wilt and the whole thing turns limp and sad.
- If your strawberries aren't very sweet, add an extra teaspoon of honey to the dressing to compensate.
03 -
- Toast your nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat and watch them closely, they go from perfect to burnt in about thirty seconds.
- If you're making this for a crowd, double the dressing recipe and keep extra on the side so people can add more if they want.