Looking for a refreshing dish that bursts with flavor? My Spinach Strawberry Poppyseed Salad is just the answer! With fresh baby spinach and sweet strawberries topped with toasted almonds and feta, this salad is a colorful delight. It’s quick and easy to make, perfect for any meal. Read on for everything you need to whip up this tasty masterpiece, from ingredients to variations!
Ingredients
Fresh Ingredients
– 4 cups fresh baby spinach
– 2 cups strawberries, hulled and sliced
Additional Ingredients
– 1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
– 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
– 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
Dressing Components
– 1/4 cup poppy seeds
– 1/4 cup olive oil
– 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
– 1 tablespoon honey
– Salt and pepper to taste
To make this Spinach Strawberry Poppyseed Salad, you need fresh and vibrant ingredients. Start with 4 cups of fresh baby spinach. This greens base adds a crisp bite and a lovely green color. Next, slice 2 cups of strawberries. These sweet fruits bring a burst of flavor and a hint of color to the dish.
For added texture, toast 1/2 cup of sliced almonds. Toasting enhances their nutty flavor. Crumble 1/4 cup of feta cheese for a creamy and tangy contrast. Then, thinly slice a 1/4 red onion. This will add a bit of sharpness to the mix.
For the dressing, gather 1/4 cup of poppy seeds. These tiny seeds give a nice crunch. Combine them with 1/4 cup of olive oil for a rich base. Mix in 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar for acidity. Add 1 tablespoon of honey for sweetness, and don’t forget salt and pepper to taste.
All these components work together to create a fresh and tasty dish. You can find the full recipe [here](#).
Step-by-Step Instructions
Salad Assembly
Start by gathering your ingredients. In a large bowl, combine:
– 4 cups fresh baby spinach
– 2 cups strawberries, hulled and sliced
– 1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
– 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
– 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
Mix these well. This blend gives the salad a bright look and a fresh taste.
Dressing Preparation
In a small mixing bowl, prepare the dressing. Whisk together:
– 1/4 cup olive oil
– 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
– 1 tablespoon honey
– 1/4 cup poppy seeds
Make sure it blends smoothly. This dressing ties the salad together with a sweet and tangy flavor.
Mixing the Salad
Pour the dressing over your salad. Toss gently to coat all the ingredients. Add salt and pepper to taste. Adjust these as you like. Serve right away for the best flavor. If you want, let it chill for about 10 minutes. This lets the flavors meld nicely. Enjoy this fresh dish from the Full Recipe!
Tips & Tricks
Ingredient Quality
For this salad, use fresh, organic produce for the best flavor. Fresh baby spinach adds a nice crunch. Strawberries should be bright red and ripe. When you choose quality ingredients, your salad will taste amazing. Organic products often have better taste and nutrition.
Dressing Options
You can experiment with different vinegars or sweeteners in the dressing. While apple cider vinegar works great, try balsamic or red wine vinegar for a different twist. Honey adds sweetness, but you can use maple syrup if you want a vegan option. Adjust the amounts of each ingredient to fit your taste.
Serving Suggestions
This salad is best served immediately. If you need to prepare it ahead of time, chill it in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to blend nicely. Serve it in a large bowl or on individual plates. Garnish with extra strawberries and a sprinkle of poppy seeds for a lovely look. You can find the full recipe at the end of this article.
Variations
Protein Additions
You can boost your salad with protein. Consider adding grilled chicken or shrimp. Both options add great flavor and make the dish more filling. Grilled chicken offers a mild taste, while shrimp brings a sweet, ocean flavor. Just slice the protein and mix it in before serving. This makes the salad perfect for lunch or dinner.
Seasonal Adjustments
Fruits change with the seasons. You can swap strawberries for other fruits. In summer, peaches add a juicy sweetness. Blueberries are great in late spring or summer, too. Each fruit gives a unique twist to the salad. Try different combinations to discover your favorite.
Dietary Modifications
For those with nut allergies, you can make simple changes. Replace almonds with seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds. These seeds add crunch and a nutty flavor without allergens. You can also leave out cheese for a dairy-free version. These small tweaks let everyone enjoy this salad.
If you want to try this salad, check out the Full Recipe for detailed instructions and tips.
Storage Info
Refrigeration
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This keeps the salad fresh and crisp.
Shelf Life
Best consumed within 1-2 days for optimal freshness. After this, the spinach may wilt, and the strawberries could spoil.
Freezing Not Recommended
Note that this salad does not freeze well due to the fresh ingredients. Freezing changes the texture of spinach and strawberries, making them mushy. Enjoy it fresh for the best taste and quality! For the full recipe, check the recipe section above.
FAQs
Can I make the salad ahead of time?
Yes, but it’s best to dress the salad just before serving to maintain freshness. This helps keep the spinach crisp and the strawberries juicy. If you want to prepare it earlier, you can mix all the dry ingredients and store them separately. Dress the salad right before serving for a vibrant and fresh taste.
What can I substitute for feta cheese?
Try goat cheese or omit it entirely for a dairy-free version. Goat cheese adds a nice tang, while skipping cheese makes it lighter. If you want to keep it creamy without cheese, you could use avocado instead. This gives a rich texture and flavor.
How can I make this salad vegan?
Use maple syrup instead of honey and omit the cheese. This way, you keep all the flavors while making it plant-based. You can also add other toppings like roasted chickpeas for extra protein. This salad remains delicious and satisfying without any animal products.
This post shared a fresh salad recipe packed with flavor. You learned about key ingredients like spinach and strawberries. I gave you clear steps for assembly and dressing preparation. Remember to choose quality produce for the best results.
Feel free to try variations with different proteins or seasonal fruits. This salad provides a simple, quick, and healthy meal. Enjoy making it your own and share it with friends!
. Start by gathering your ingredients. In a large bowl, combine: - 4 cups fresh baby spinach - 2 cups strawberries, hulled and sliced - 1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted - 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled - 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced Mix these well. This blend gives the salad a bright look and a fresh taste. In a small mixing bowl, prepare the dressing. Whisk together: - 1/4 cup olive oil - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar - 1 tablespoon honey - 1/4 cup poppy seeds Make sure it blends smoothly. This dressing ties the salad together with a sweet and tangy flavor. Pour the dressing over your salad. Toss gently to coat all the ingredients. Add salt and pepper to taste. Adjust these as you like. Serve right away for the best flavor. If you want, let it chill for about 10 minutes. This lets the flavors meld nicely. Enjoy this fresh dish from the Full Recipe! For this salad, use fresh, organic produce for the best flavor. Fresh baby spinach adds a nice crunch. Strawberries should be bright red and ripe. When you choose quality ingredients, your salad will taste amazing. Organic products often have better taste and nutrition. You can experiment with different vinegars or sweeteners in the dressing. While apple cider vinegar works great, try balsamic or red wine vinegar for a different twist. Honey adds sweetness, but you can use maple syrup if you want a vegan option. Adjust the amounts of each ingredient to fit your taste. This salad is best served immediately. If you need to prepare it ahead of time, chill it in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to blend nicely. Serve it in a large bowl or on individual plates. Garnish with extra strawberries and a sprinkle of poppy seeds for a lovely look. You can find the full recipe at the end of this article. {{image_2}} You can boost your salad with protein. Consider adding grilled chicken or shrimp. Both options add great flavor and make the dish more filling. Grilled chicken offers a mild taste, while shrimp brings a sweet, ocean flavor. Just slice the protein and mix it in before serving. This makes the salad perfect for lunch or dinner. Fruits change with the seasons. You can swap strawberries for other fruits. In summer, peaches add a juicy sweetness. Blueberries are great in late spring or summer, too. Each fruit gives a unique twist to the salad. Try different combinations to discover your favorite. For those with nut allergies, you can make simple changes. Replace almonds with seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds. These seeds add crunch and a nutty flavor without allergens. You can also leave out cheese for a dairy-free version. These small tweaks let everyone enjoy this salad. If you want to try this salad, check out the Full Recipe for detailed instructions and tips. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This keeps the salad fresh and crisp. Best consumed within 1-2 days for optimal freshness. After this, the spinach may wilt, and the strawberries could spoil. Note that this salad does not freeze well due to the fresh ingredients. Freezing changes the texture of spinach and strawberries, making them mushy. Enjoy it fresh for the best taste and quality! For the full recipe, check the recipe section above. Yes, but it's best to dress the salad just before serving to maintain freshness. This helps keep the spinach crisp and the strawberries juicy. If you want to prepare it earlier, you can mix all the dry ingredients and store them separately. Dress the salad right before serving for a vibrant and fresh taste. Try goat cheese or omit it entirely for a dairy-free version. Goat cheese adds a nice tang, while skipping cheese makes it lighter. If you want to keep it creamy without cheese, you could use avocado instead. This gives a rich texture and flavor. Use maple syrup instead of honey and omit the cheese. This way, you keep all the flavors while making it plant-based. You can also add other toppings like roasted chickpeas for extra protein. This salad remains delicious and satisfying without any animal products. This post shared a fresh salad recipe packed with flavor. You learned about key ingredients like spinach and strawberries. I gave you clear steps for assembly and dressing preparation. Remember to choose quality produce for the best results. Feel free to try variations with different proteins or seasonal fruits. This salad provides a simple, quick, and healthy meal. Enjoy making it your own and share it with friends!](https://easycookingbite.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/c933e7bd-ff40-461c-bb91-3d501fdaa67b-250x250.webp)