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Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe

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4.2 from 86 reviews

A fresh and vibrant Strawberry Spinach Salad featuring baby spinach, sweet strawberries, roasted pecans, and tangy feta cheese, all tossed in a homemade poppy seed dressing. Perfect for a quick, healthy, and refreshing side or light meal.

Ingredients

Salad Ingredients

  • 10 oz baby spinach (rinsed and dried thoroughly)
  • 1 quart strawberries (cleaned, hulled, and sliced)
  • ½ red onion (sliced)
  • 1 cup pecans (roasted and chopped)
  • 1/3 cup feta cheese (crumbled)

Poppy Seed Dressing

  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard paste
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste
  • 2 teaspoons poppy seeds

Instructions

  1. Roast The Nuts: Preheat the oven to 300℉ (150℃). Spread the pecans on a baking sheet and roast for 5 to 8 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning. Roast until nuts are fragrant and slightly browned. Remove from the oven immediately and transfer to a wooden cutting board. Chop into small pieces and set aside.
  2. Prepare the Poppy Seed Dressing: In a jar, combine vegetable oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, salt, pepper, yellow mustard paste, and poppy seeds. Secure the lid tightly and shake well until all ingredients are fully emulsified. Set the dressing aside to let the flavors meld.
  3. Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, add the baby spinach, sliced strawberries, sliced red onion, and chopped roasted pecans. Pour the prepared poppy seed dressing over the top. Gently toss everything together to coat the salad evenly with the dressing. For a milder onion flavor, consider using pickled onions instead of raw.
  4. Add Feta Cheese: Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese over the tossed salad as a finishing touch, adding a creamy and tangy contrast.
  5. Serve: Serve the salad immediately for the best fresh taste and texture.

Notes

  • Keep a close eye on the pecans while roasting to avoid burning as they can go from toasted to burnt quickly.
  • Using pickled red onion is a great alternative if you find the raw onion too strong.
  • For a nuttier flavor, you can substitute pecans with walnuts or almonds.
  • This salad is best enjoyed fresh and does not hold up well if dressed and refrigerated for a long time.

Find it online: https://recipethrive.com/strawberry-spinach-salad-with-poppy-seed-dressing-recipe/