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Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe with Easy Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing for Perfect Summer Meals

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A quick and easy summer salad featuring fresh baby spinach, juicy strawberries, toasted nuts, and a creamy poppy seed dressing that balances sweetness and tang.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups baby spinach leaves (about 180g), washed and dried
  • 1 pint fresh strawberries (about 300g), hulled and sliced
  • ½ cup toasted pecans or walnuts (60g), roughly chopped
  • ½ cup feta cheese or goat cheese (75g), crumbled (optional)
  • ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise (60ml)
  • ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt (60g)
  • 1 tablespoon honey (15ml)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (15ml)
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds (9g)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Rinse the baby spinach under cold water and dry thoroughly using a salad spinner or paper towels.
  2. Hull and slice the strawberries into thin pieces, about ¼ inch thick.
  3. Thinly slice the red onion, keeping the slices delicate.
  4. Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped pecans or walnuts and toast for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove from heat and let cool.
  5. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, honey, apple cider vinegar, poppy seeds, salt, and pepper. Adjust sweetness or acidity if needed.
  6. Place the spinach in a large salad bowl. Add the sliced strawberries, red onion, and toasted nuts.
  7. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss using salad tongs or two large spoons, being careful not to bruise the spinach leaves.
  8. Sprinkle crumbled feta or goat cheese over the top and give the salad one last gentle toss if desired.
  9. Serve immediately for best freshness.

Notes

Keep dressing separate until just before serving to avoid soggy spinach. Toast nuts carefully to avoid burning. For dairy-free, substitute Greek yogurt and cheese with plant-based alternatives. Frozen strawberries can be used if thawed and drained.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry spinach salad, poppy seed dressing, summer salad, fresh salad, easy salad recipe, healthy salad, creamy dressing

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/fresh-strawberry-spinach-salad-recipe-with-easy-creamy-poppy-seed-dressing-for-perfect-summer-meals/