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- 5 cups fresh baby spinach - 2 cups strawberries, hulled and sliced - 1 cup cucumber, thinly sliced - 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced Fresh produce is key for this salad. I love using baby spinach as the base. It is tender and rich in nutrients. Strawberries add sweetness and color. Make sure to slice them for easy eating. Cucumber brings a nice crunch. Red onion adds a bit of zing. When choosing these items, look for bright colors and firm textures. - 1/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled - 1/4 cup walnuts or pecans, toasted Feta cheese adds a creamy, salty touch. I like to crumble it on top for a burst of flavor. Nuts, like walnuts or pecans, give the salad a satisfying crunch. Toasting them enhances their taste too. This mix of dairy and nuts makes the salad hearty and enjoyable. - 1/2 cup plain yogurt - 2 tablespoons honey - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar - 1 tablespoon poppy seeds - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard - Salt and pepper to taste The poppy seed dressing is simple yet flavorful. I use plain yogurt as a base for creaminess. Honey adds sweetness, balancing the tangy vinegar. Poppy seeds give a unique crunch and visual appeal. Dijon mustard adds depth to the flavor. Season with salt and pepper to enhance everything. This dressing ties the salad together beautifully. {{ingredient_image_1}} To make this salad, I start by combining the fresh baby spinach with the fruits. I use five cups of spinach, which gives a great base. Then, I add two cups of sliced strawberries. The sweet berries brighten the dish. Next, I layer in one cup of thinly sliced cucumber. This adds crunch and freshness. Finally, I toss in half a cup of thinly sliced red onion for a little bite. Mixing these ingredients in a large salad bowl makes a colorful and inviting base. Now, I turn to the poppy seed dressing. In a small bowl, I mix half a cup of plain yogurt with two tablespoons of honey. The honey adds sweetness to balance the tang. Next, I add two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. This gives the dressing a zesty kick. I also include one tablespoon of Dijon mustard for flavor depth. Then, I sprinkle in one tablespoon of poppy seeds. After mixing these well, I season with salt and pepper to taste. This dressing is creamy and full of flavor. Once my salad base and dressing are ready, I drizzle the dressing over the salad. I gently toss the greens and fruits to coat them well. This step ensures every bite is tasty. To finish, I sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the top. This adds a creamy texture. I also top it with a quarter cup of toasted walnuts or pecans for crunch. This simple assembly creates a beautiful and delicious salad ready to serve. Choosing ripe strawberries Look for bright red strawberries. They should feel firm and smell sweet. Avoid dull or green ones. Ripe strawberries add a burst of flavor to the salad. Picking the right spinach Choose fresh baby spinach. The leaves should be vibrant and crisp. Avoid any that are wilted or yellow. Fresh spinach gives a nice crunch and pairs well with sweet strawberries. Adjusting sweetness with honey If you like your dressing sweeter, add more honey. Start with a teaspoon and taste. You can always add more. This way, you control the sweetness to match your taste. Alternative yogurt options You can use Greek yogurt for a creamier texture. If you want dairy-free, try coconut yogurt. Both options work well and keep the dressing tasty and smooth. Creative presentation ideas Serve the salad in a large, shallow bowl. Garnish with whole strawberries and edible flowers. This makes the salad look inviting and fun. Complementary dishes to serve Pair this salad with grilled chicken or fish. It also goes well with crusty bread. These dishes enhance the meal and make it more filling. Pro Tips Fresh Ingredients: Always use the freshest spinach and strawberries for the best flavor and texture in your salad. Toasting Nuts: Toasting walnuts or pecans enhances their flavor and adds a delightful crunch to your salad. Chill Before Serving: Allow the salad to chill in the refrigerator for up to 30 minutes to let the flavors meld beautifully. Customize the Dressing: Feel free to adjust the sweetness or acidity of the dressing by adding more honey or vinegar according to your taste. {{image_2}} You can change the fruits in this salad to fit your taste. Blueberries or apples work well. Just slice them and add them in. They bring their own sweet flavors. You can also swap out the nuts. Try sunflower seeds or almonds instead of walnuts or pecans. This keeps the crunch but adds new tastes. If you want a different dressing, try a light vinaigrette. A mix of olive oil and balsamic vinegar is fresh and tasty. For a dairy-free option, use a nut-based yogurt. Mix it with lemon juice and maple syrup for a sweet touch. This way, you can keep the creaminess without dairy. In winter, you can still enjoy this salad. Use seasonal produce, like roasted butternut squash or pomegranate seeds. They add color and warmth. You can also add fresh herbs, like mint or basil, for extra flavor. These little changes keep the salad exciting all year long. Store any leftover salad in an airtight container. This keeps the salad fresh longer. Use a container that fits the salad snugly to reduce air exposure. If you have leftover dressing, keep it in a separate container. This prevents the greens from wilting. To maintain freshness, check your ingredients often. Fresh spinach should feel crisp and firm. Strawberries should be bright red and firm. Use cucumbers and onions that are free of soft spots. Chill the salad for up to 30 minutes in the fridge. This helps the flavors blend nicely. If you chill it longer, the spinach may wilt. Serve it right after chilling for the best taste and texture. For meal prep, divide the salad into single servings. Use small containers to make it easy to grab. If you plan to eat it later, keep dressing separate. This helps maintain the crunch of the greens. When storing, stack containers neatly in the fridge. This saves space and keeps everything organized. Remember, freshness is key for a great salad experience. Yes, you can prepare this salad ahead of time. I suggest making the salad base first. Combine the spinach, strawberries, cucumber, and red onion in a bowl. You can store this mix in the fridge for up to 4 hours. Just remember, add the dressing right before serving. This keeps the greens fresh and crisp. When it comes to ingredient freshness, focus on quality. Use ripe strawberries and fresh spinach. These will taste best. If you prepare the dressing in advance, store it separately. This way, you avoid soggy greens and mushy fruits. The poppy seed dressing is quite healthy. It uses yogurt, which adds protein and calcium. Honey gives a bit of natural sweetness. The apple cider vinegar can help with digestion. If we look at calories, one serving has about 70 calories. This is a light dressing option. It adds flavor without too many extra calories. The poppy seeds also include fiber, which is great for your gut. If you don’t have poppy seeds, don’t worry! You can try sunflower seeds or sesame seeds instead. They will add a nice crunch. Chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans are also great. For a simpler dressing, mix yogurt with lemon juice and honey. This will give you a fresh taste. You can add a touch of mustard for a zesty kick. This blog post shared a tasty salad recipe featuring fresh produce, dairy, and a sweet dressing. You learned how to prepare a vibrant salad and a homemade poppy seed dressing. With tips on ingredient selection and serving ideas, your salad can stand out. Remember, you can switch up ingredients to suit your taste and make it seasonal. Storing leftovers correctly helps maintain freshness. Feel free to explore variations to keep things interesting. Enjoy making this simple, yet delicious salad!

Strawberry Spinach Salad with Zesty Poppy Seed Dressing

A refreshing salad featuring fresh spinach, strawberries, and a tangy poppy seed dressing.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 5 cups fresh baby spinach
  • 2 cups strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 1 cup cucumber, thinly sliced
  • 1 2 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 3 feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1 4 walnuts or pecans, toasted
  • 1 2 plain yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 to taste Salt and pepper

Instructions
 

  • In a large salad bowl, combine fresh baby spinach, sliced strawberries, cucumber, and red onion.
  • In a small bowl, mix the yogurt, honey, apple cider vinegar, poppy seeds, and Dijon mustard until well blended. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Drizzle the poppy seed dressing over the salad and gently toss until the greens and fruits are well coated.
  • Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese and toasted nuts over the top for added flavor and texture.
  • Serve immediately, or chill in the refrigerator for up to 30 minutes to blend the flavors before serving.

Notes

Serve the salad in a large, shallow bowl and garnish with a few whole strawberries and edible flowers for a beautiful display.
Keyword dressing, salad, spinach, strawberry