Spinach Strawberry Nut Salad (Print Version)

Refreshing salad with spinach, strawberries, nuts, and a sweet poppy seed dressing, ideal for warm days.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad

01 - 5 oz fresh baby spinach leaves
02 - 9 oz strawberries, hulled and sliced
03 - ½ cup toasted pecans or sliced almonds
04 - ½ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
05 - 2 tablespoons red onion, thinly sliced (optional)

→ Sweet Poppy Seed Dressing

06 - ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
08 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
09 - 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
10 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
11 - ¼ teaspoon sea salt
12 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large bowl, mix spinach, strawberries, nuts, feta cheese, and red onion if using.
02 - Whisk olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, poppy seeds, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl or jar until emulsified.
03 - Drizzle dressing over the salad and gently toss to evenly coat all components.
04 - Present the salad at once to preserve freshness and texture.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, yet tastes like you fussed for hours.
  • The poppy seed dressing hits that sweet-tart spot that makes people ask for the recipe before they've finished eating.
  • It's the kind of salad that feels light but actually fills you up, thanks to those toasted nuts doing heavy lifting.
02 -
  • Dress this salad at the last possible moment—spinach wilts faster than you'd think, and nobody wants a limp salad even if it tastes amazing.
  • If you're making the dressing ahead, don't add the poppy seeds until just before you dress the salad, or they'll sink and settle unevenly.
03 -
  • Pat your spinach dry with paper towels after washing; any excess water dilutes the dressing and turns your salad watery within minutes.
  • Toast your own nuts if you can—store-bought roasted nuts often taste a bit stale, and toasting them fresh in a dry skillet for just a few minutes changes everything.
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