If you’re looking for a vibrant and refreshing dish that brilliantly balances sweet, tangy, and creamy flavors, then the Strawberry and Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe is exactly what you need. This salad brings together the freshness of juicy strawberries and crisp spinach with a luscious poppy seed dressing that’s both light and satisfying. It’s one of those dishes that feels like sunshine on a plate and bursts with color and taste, perfect for a quick lunch or a delightful side at dinner. Once you try this recipe, I promise it will become a favorite go-to, bringing freshness and joy to your meals in no time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Keeping this salad simple lets each ingredient shine through, creating a fresh and flavorful combination. Every component plays its role — from the crispness of fresh spinach to the sweet juiciness of strawberries and the crunchy, nutty poppy seeds enhancing the dressing’s texture.
- Fresh Spinach: Use tender, baby spinach leaves for the best texture and vibrant green color.
- Juicy Strawberries: Choose ripe strawberries for sweetness and a bright pop of color.
- Poppy Seeds: Adds delightful crunch and a subtle nutty flavor to the dressing.
- Red Onion: Thinly sliced for a sharp and tangy contrast that complements sweetness.
- Greek Yogurt: Gives the dressing a creamy base with a slight tang and healthy protein.
- Honey: Natural sweetness that balances the vinegar’s acidity perfectly.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Provides a mild tanginess to brighten the dressing flavors.
- Olive Oil: Smooths out the dressing, adding richness and healthy fats.
How to Make Strawberry and Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Spinach
Start by thoroughly washing the fresh spinach under cold running water. This step is important to remove any dirt or grit. After rinsing, gently pat the spinach leaves dry with paper towels or use a salad spinner for the best results, ensuring the salad remains crisp and light.
Step 2: Slice the Strawberries
Next, hull the strawberries to remove their green tops, then slice them into quarters. Sliced strawberries release their beautiful juices gently into the salad, enhancing both flavor and appearance.
Step 3: Whisk Together the Dressing
In a medium bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, honey, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, and poppy seeds. Whisk these ingredients vigorously until the dressing turns smooth, creamy, and nicely emulsified, ready to coat every bite of your salad.
Step 4: Toss the Salad
In a large bowl, add the dried spinach, sliced strawberries, and thinly sliced red onion. Drizzle the poppy seed dressing over the top, then toss everything gently but thoroughly to ensure even coverage without bruising the delicate leaves or crushing the berries.
Step 5: Serve Immediately
Transfer the salad onto plates or bowls right away. For an extra touch of charm and texture, sprinkle a few more poppy seeds on top before serving. This salad tastes best fresh, with all its vibrant flavors and crisp textures shining bright.
How to Serve Strawberry and Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe
Garnishes
Try garnishing your salad with some slivered almonds, crumbled feta, or goat cheese for added creaminess and a nutty crunch that complements the flavors perfectly. Fresh mint leaves can also brighten up the dish and add an herbal note that plays beautifully with strawberries.
Side Dishes
This salad pairs wonderfully with light grilled proteins like chicken, salmon, or shrimp. It also makes a refreshing counterbalance to rich and hearty main courses such as lasagna, roasted pork, or creamy risottos.
Creative Ways to Present
For a crowd-pleaser, serve this salad in individual glass jars or clear bowls to showcase the beautiful layers of spinach, strawberries, and dressing. You can also pile it high on a large serving platter, making a striking centerpiece that invites everyone to dig in.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers, store the salad and dressing separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. This keeps the spinach fresh and crisp while preventing the dressing from making the salad soggy. Combined, they should keep well for up to 24 hours.
Freezing
This salad is best enjoyed fresh so freezing is not recommended. Both the fresh spinach and strawberries lose their texture and become mushy after freezing and thawing, which affects the overall appeal and taste.
Reheating
Since this is a fresh salad, reheating is not necessary or advised. To enjoy it again, simply toss the ingredients freshly with dressing and serve chilled or at room temperature to maintain its crispness and flavor.
FAQs
Can I use baby kale instead of spinach?
Absolutely! Baby kale is a great alternative that adds a slightly earthier flavor and holds up well to the creamy poppy seed dressing. Just be sure to remove any tough stems before tossing.
Is there a substitute for Greek yogurt in the dressing?
Yes, you can substitute Greek yogurt with sour cream or a non-dairy yogurt for a similar creamy texture, though it may slightly change the tanginess of the dressing.
How long can I prepare this salad in advance?
It’s best to prepare just the dressing and prep the vegetables and fruit ahead of time, but mix them only right before serving to keep everything fresh and crisp.
Can I add nuts or seeds to the salad?
Definitely! Chopped walnuts, pecans, or sunflower seeds all add an enjoyable crunch and depth to the salad. Just add them right before serving to maintain their crispness.
What does the poppy seed dressing taste like?
It’s a slightly sweet, creamy, and tangy dressing with a subtle nutty crunch from the poppy seeds that perfectly complements the sweetness of strawberries and freshness of spinach.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like the bright, fresh flavors and beautiful colors of the Strawberry and Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe to lift your spirits and your meal. This recipe is incredibly simple yet feels special enough for any table. I really encourage you to try it soon—you might just find it becoming your favorite fresh salad to make again and again!
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Strawberry and Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A fresh and vibrant Strawberry and Spinach Salad tossed with a creamy, tangy poppy seed dressing made from Greek yogurt, honey, and apple cider vinegar. This quick and easy salad combines sweet strawberries, crisp spinach, and a hint of red onion for a deliciously balanced flavor perfect for a light lunch or side dish.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh spinach, washed and dried
- 1 pint juicy strawberries, hulled and quartered
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/3 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the spinach: Wash the fresh spinach under cold running water to remove any dirt or grit. Gently pat dry with a clean kitchen towel or use a salad spinner to ensure the leaves are dry and crisp.
- Slice the strawberries: Remove the stems (hull) from the strawberries, then slice each berry into quarters to create bite-sized pieces perfect for the salad.
- Make the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, honey, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, and poppy seeds until the dressing is smooth and well combined.
- Toss the salad: In a large bowl, combine the spinach leaves, quartered strawberries, and thinly sliced red onion. Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad components and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
- Serve: Divide the salad onto individual plates or bowls. For an optional garnish, sprinkle a few extra poppy seeds on top before serving. Serve immediately to enjoy the freshest flavors.
Notes
- Make sure the spinach leaves are well dried to prevent the dressing from becoming watery.
- This salad is best served fresh; avoid preparing too far in advance to keep the texture crisp.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute Greek yogurt with a plant-based yogurt alternative.
- Adding nuts like walnuts or pecans can add a nice crunch variation.
- Adjust honey quantity based on desired sweetness.
