Spinach Strawberry Salad

Spring is the season of fresh flavors and vibrant colors, and what better way to celebrate it than with a summer salad? Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing is an easy, fresh salad with perfectly delicious, sweet homemade dressing done in just 10 minutes.

Nothing says spring and summer like fresh strawberries in your salad, and this 10-minute salad with homemade dressing feels like a delicious pre-dinner appetizer at your favorite restaurant. Food does not need to be complicated to hit the spot!

Serve for lunch or double it up for a summer picnic side dish.

Homemade Poppy Seed Dressing

Making your own poppy seed dressing is easy and adds a fresh kick to your Strawberry Spinach Salad. The mix of sweet and tangy flavors that you just cannot get in a store-bought dressing is really what sets this salad apart. You can also use our newly published raspberry vinaigrette salad recipe with this spinach salad.

Ingredients for the dressing

• Two tablespoons sesame seeds: A small, 1-ounce jar of sesame seeds is enough for two tablespoons.
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon minced onion

How to make Fresh Poppy Seed Dressing

1. Measure and mix: Combine the sesame seeds, poppy seeds, sugar, olive oil, white vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and minced onion in a bowl.
2. Stir well: Mix everything until the sugar dissolves and the ingredients are well-blended. Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes. This helps the flavors come together nicely.

Tips for achieving the perfect consistency

• Use a whisk: Stir the mixture with a whisk to ensure an even blend.
• Adjust sweetness: Taste the dressing and add more sugar if you want it sweeter.

Spinach Salad Ingredients

You will need:

• 10 oz fresh spinach: Make sure it’s washed and dried.
• 8 ounces fresh strawberries: Remove the tops and quarter them.
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds or pecans
• 1/3 cup grated or shredded fresh Parmesan cheese

How to make Strawberry Spinach Salad

1. Start with a clean, large salad bowl.
2. Place freshly washed and dried spinach into the bowl.
3. Spread sliced juicy strawberries on top of the spinach.
4. Sprinkle slivered almonds or your choice of nuts over the strawberries.
5. Add grated or shredded Parmesan cheese.
6. Drizzle your homemade poppy seed dressing over the salad and mix gently. Serve immediately for the best taste.

Optional Toppings: Nuts and Cheese

You can mix and match a few optional toppings to enhance your salad.

• Nuts: Besides almonds or pecans, add walnuts or sunflower seeds for a different crunch. To add some sweetness, try my candied pecans. You can use these all week long for a snack or on other salad recipes too!
• Cheese: If you aren’t a fan of Parmesan, consider using goat cheese, feta cheese, or blue cheese for a creamy texture and unique flavor.

Make-Ahead Tips

Storing Salad Components Separately

Making your poppy seed dressing ahead of time is a great way to save time on the day you plan to serve the salad. Store the dressing in the refrigerator for up to a week. Before using, shake well to mix any settled ingredients.

To keep your Strawberry Spinach Salad fresh, especially if bringing to a potluck or picnic, it’s best to store the salad ingredients separately until you’re ready to serve.

• Fresh Spinach: Wash and dry your spinach leaves thoroughly. Store in an airtight container lined with paper towels to absorb excess moisture.
• Strawberries: Slice fresh strawberries into bite-size pieces. Keep them in another airtight container and store them in the fridge.
• Almonds: Keep slivered almonds in a cool, dry place
• Cheese: Whether you choose Parmesan, feta, goat cheese, or blue cheese, keep it in a separate container. Shred or grate the Parmesan just before adding it to the salad to retain freshness.

Protein Additions

1. Grilled Chicken: Lightly seasoned grilled chicken breast or baked chicken is typically the go-to. Cut it into bite-size pieces for easy mixing. This juicy chicken 101 recipe is a reader favorite.
2. Rotisserie Chicken: Convenient and delicious, rotisserie chicken adds with zero prep time.
3. Ideas for vegetarian proteins: For those preferring vegetarian proteins, try adding chickpeas or tofu.

Variations of the Salad

While juicy strawberries are the best choice (after all, it is STRAWBERRY spinach salad), you can swap them out or add a few different fruit options depending on the season. I recommend:

• Fresh Blueberries
• Fresh Pineapple Chunks
• Drained Mandarin Oranges (if you like a little bit of orange to your salad, try our Asian pasta salad recipe too)
• Chopped Honeycrisp Apples

Pairing Ideas for a Complete Meal

To make a complete meal that complements the strawberry spinach salad as a side dish, chair with Grilled Chicken, Fish, Cheese Platter, or a slice of fresh bread.

Strawberry Apple Spinach Salad

Burrata Caprese

Fresh Berry Fruit Salad

Grilled Pineapple Salad