Strawberry Spinach Salad Dressing (Print Version)
A fresh mix of spinach, strawberries, nuts, and poppy seed dressing for light, flavorful meals.
# What You Need:
→ Salad Components
01 - 5 ounces baby spinach, washed and thoroughly dried
02 - 1.5 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
03 - 0.5 cup crumbled feta cheese
04 - 0.5 cup sliced almonds or pecans, toasted until fragrant
05 - 0.5 small red onion, thinly sliced into rounds
→ Poppy Seed Dressing
06 - 0.25 cup extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
08 - 1 tablespoon honey or pure maple syrup
09 - 1.5 teaspoons poppy seeds
10 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
11 - 0.25 teaspoon fine salt
12 - 0.125 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
# Directions:
01 - Place the washed spinach, sliced strawberries, crumbled feta, toasted nuts, and red onion in a large salad bowl.
02 - Whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, poppy seeds, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until fully emulsified and smooth.
03 - Pour the dressing evenly over the salad immediately before serving. Gently toss to coat all ingredients without bruising the spinach.
04 - Divide among plates and serve while fresh for optimal texture and flavor.
# Insider Tips:
01 -
- The homemade poppy seed dressing comes together in seconds and tastes infinitely better than anything from a bottle
- It is that rare salad that actually satisfies as a full meal, not just something you eat before the real food arrives
02 -
- This salad does not sit well once dressed, so always add the dressing right before serving or serve it on the side
- Drying your spinach thoroughly after washing prevents the dressing from sliding right off the leaves
03 -
- Taste a strawberry before you start building the salad, adjusting the honey in the dressing based on how sweet they are
- Toasting the nuts in a dry pan over medium heat takes just minutes but transforms them completely