Disclosure: This recipe for Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
This best ever Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing is a classic spring salad recipe, perfect for entertaining and serving as a simple side dish!
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Originally published May 2011 and updated June 2024
This Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing is such a classic recipe. You may remember eating some variation of it at various potlucks, baby showers and family functions all through the 90’s and early 2000’s.
However, even though this Strawberry Spinach Salad has a very nostalgic feel, it can still be the star of any modern-day dinner party or special gathering!
In fact, it is one of our go-to recipes for baby and bridal showers, yet it is also perfect on its own for a light, vegetarian lunch or topped with crispy air fryer chicken or grilled steak for a quick summer dinner.
The nutrient dense spinach, plump and juicy fresh strawberries, tangy feta cheese, sweet and crunchy almonds and crisp red onions pair so beautifully with the flavorful homemade poppy seed dressing which yields the most refreshing summertime salad!
If you are looking for a simple salad for summer, this spinach salad is truly the best! Whether you are dishing it up at your next gathering or are serving it as a side dish for New York Strip Steak with Creamy Mushroom Leek Sauce or Everything Salmon, this light and summery Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing is a fantastic recipe to add to your repertoire!
Helpful Tips and Information:
What to serve with Strawberry Spinach Salad:
As we mentioned, this strawberry salad recipe pairs with so many dishes. It is great served as a side dish to our Grilled Honey Balsamic Ribs or Grilled Lemon Lime Chicken. It could also be enjoyed on its own as a fresh, summer entree salad.
Strawberry Spinach Salad Ingredients:
- Spinach leaves – You could substitute mixed salad greens or arugula, if desired.
- Fresh strawberries
- Red onions – The red onions add a nice “bite” to the salad. However, if you want a milder flavor, replace the red onion with one thinly sliced shallot.
- Crumbled feta cheese – If you are a fan, blue cheese also works wonderfully in this salad!
- Candied almonds – In our recipe below, we provide directions on how to make candied almonds. However, you could substitute the almonds with pecans for a Strawberry Spinach Salad with candied pecans.
- Poppy Seed Dressing – The recipe for homemade poppy seed dressing is SO easy and uses basic pantry staples. However, you could also use store bought poppy seed dressing. If you choose the store-bought dressing route, we recommend BRIANNAS Rich Poppy Seed Dressing.
IF YOU LIKE THIS Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing, THEN YOU WILL LOVE THESE OTHER Salad RECIPES:
Blackberry Salad with Blackberry Jam Vinaigrette – Savor the lingering flavors of summer with this fresh, seasonal salad recipe! This Blackberry Salad with Blackberry Jam Vinaigrette is a great side dish for backyard barbecues or a quick lunch!
Spinach Berry Salad with Creamy Balsamic Dressing – This Spinach Berry Salad with Creamy Balsamic Dressing is a festive and delicious dinner side dish recipe, perfect to celebrate the fresh flavors of summer!
Blueberry Peach Quinoa Salad – This hearty vegetarian salad recipe, Blueberry Peach Quinoa Salad, celebrates the fresh flavors of summer and is a great lunch or dinner idea!
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Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
This best ever Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing is a classic spring salad recipe, perfect for entertaining and serving as a simple side dish!
Ingredients
- Candied Almonds:
- ½ cup sliced almonds*
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- --
- Poppy Seed Dressing:
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
- 3 tablespoons honey or granulated sugar
- ½ tablespoon poppy seeds
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon each salt and black pepper
- --
- Strawberry Spinach Salad:
- 1 (9 ounce) bag spinach leaves
- 1 pint fresh strawberries, washed, stem removed and sliced
- ½ cup thinly sliced red onions
- 1 (5 ounce) package crumbled feta cheese
- 1 batch candied almonds
- 1 batch Poppy Seed Dressing
Instructions
- To make candied almonds: In a small skillet over medium heat, melt butter and sugar together, stirring constantly. Once butter and sugar are melted together, stir in sliced almonds.
- Continue stirring and cooking almonds until the almonds turn golden brown, approximately 3-5 minutes. Set aside.
- To make Poppy Seed Dressing: In a small Mason jar combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, poppy seeds, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, salt and black pepper. Place lid on jar and shake until well combined. Set aside.
- To make Strawberry Spinach Salad: In a large bowl, toss together the spinach, strawberries, red onions, feta, candied almonds and Poppy Seed Dressing. Serve immediately.
Notes
*PLEASE SEE THE "HELPFUL TIPS AND INFORMATION" SECTION ABOVE FOR ADDITIONAL RECIPE NOTES.
*Pecans can be substituted.
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