I burnt the strawberries in this salad more times than I care to admit before realizing that less is definitely more when it comes to prepping them. Honestly, I’m not even a huge fan of spinach salads, but this fresh strawberry spinach salad with creamy poppy seed dressing totally changed my mind. At first, I kept trying to roast or caramelize the strawberries, thinking it would boost the flavor, but all it did was turn the berries mushy and sad, which defeated the whole purpose of that fresh, juicy bite I craved. Eventually, after a few ruined batches and a very patient family, I stuck to using fresh, raw strawberries sliced thinly—just like in the classic version my neighbor swore by—and paired them with the creamiest, tangy poppy seed dressing I could whip up from scratch. That contrast between the crisp baby spinach leaves, the sweet pop of strawberries, and the luscious dressing is honestly something you h

Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad with Easy Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

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A refreshing spinach salad featuring fresh sliced strawberries and a tangy, creamy poppy seed dressing that perfectly balances sweet and savory flavors.

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

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• 6 cups baby spinach leaves
• 1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced thinly
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, honey, apple cider vinegar, poppy seeds, salt, and pepper until smooth to make the dressing.
2. In a large salad bowl, combine baby spinach, sliced strawberries, toasted almonds, and crumbled feta cheese.
3. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
4. Serve immediately for the freshest taste.

Notes

Use fresh, raw strawberries sliced thinly for the best texture and flavor. Avoid cooking or roasting strawberries to maintain their fresh, juicy bite.

• Author: David
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Salad
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cup salad
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 9
• Sodium: 220
• Fat: 14
• Saturated Fat: 2
• Carbohydrates: 12
• Fiber: 3
• Protein: 4

Keywords: strawberry spinach salad, poppy seed dressing, fresh salad, healthy salad, easy salad recipe