Strawberry Spinach Poppy Vinaigrette (Printable)
Fresh baby spinach and strawberries mixed with feta, nuts, and tangy poppy seed dressing for a bright dish.
# What You'll Need:
→ Salad
01 - 5 oz baby spinach, washed and dried
02 - 8 oz fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
03 - ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
04 - ½ cup toasted pecans or sliced almonds
05 - 2 tablespoons thinly sliced red onion
→ Poppy Seed Vinaigrette
06 - ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
08 - 2 teaspoons honey
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# How-To Steps:
01 - Whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, salt, and pepper in a small bowl or jar until fully emulsified. Set aside.
02 - In a large salad bowl, combine baby spinach, sliced strawberries, feta cheese, toasted nuts, and red onion.
03 - Drizzle the prepared vinaigrette over the salad immediately before serving. Toss gently to ensure even coating of all ingredients.
04 - Serve the salad immediately to retain freshness and texture.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It comes together in 15 minutes, no cooking required, so it's perfect when you don't want to heat up the kitchen.
- The poppy seed dressing is tangy-sweet enough to stand on its own, so it actually tastes like something special, not like salad duty.
- Fresh strawberries and crispy nuts make every bite interesting, and the feta adds this salty contrast that makes you keep reaching for more.
02 -
- Never dress the salad more than a few minutes before serving, or the spinach will wilt and the strawberries will release water and make everything mushy.
- If you're making this for a gathering, keep the dressing and salad completely separate until the last moment, then toss everything together right in front of people.
03 -
- Taste the dressing as you make it and adjust the vinegar, honey, or mustard to your preference; some people like more tang, others prefer more sweetness.
- Let the dressing sit for 10 minutes before using it, because the poppy seeds will plump up and the flavors will meld together more beautifully.