Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad (Printable)

A refreshing mix of strawberries, spinach, feta, pecans, and tangy poppy seed dressing.

# What You Need:

→ Salad

01 - 6 cups baby spinach, washed and dried
02 - 1.5 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
03 - 0.5 small red onion, thinly sliced
04 - 0.33 cup crumbled feta cheese
05 - 0.5 cup pecans, toasted and roughly chopped

→ Poppy Seed Dressing

06 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
07 - 1.5 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
08 - 1 tablespoon honey
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, salt, and pepper until well combined and emulsified. Set aside.
02 - In a large salad bowl, combine baby spinach, sliced strawberries, red onion, crumbled feta, and toasted pecans.
03 - Drizzle the poppy seed dressing over the salad just before serving.
04 - Gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly, then serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Quick and easy to prepare in just 15 minutes with no cooking required
  • Bursting with fresh, colorful ingredients that look as good as they taste
  • The homemade poppy seed dressing is far superior to store-bought versions
  • Naturally vegetarian and gluten-free, accommodating various dietary needs
  • Perfect balance of sweet strawberries, savory feta, and crunchy pecans
  • Ideal for meal prep when dressing is stored separately
02 -
  • Always dress the salad just before serving to prevent the spinach from wilting
  • Use a whisk or sealed jar to emulsify the dressing properly for a smooth, creamy consistency
  • Toast pecans in advance and store in an airtight container for up to two weeks
  • Slice red onion paper-thin and soak in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow its sharpness
  • Choose room-temperature strawberries for the best flavor—cold berries can taste muted
  • Double the dressing recipe and keep extra on hand for quick weeknight salads
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