A vibrant summer salad packed with antioxidants, heart-healthy fats, and sweet-tangy flavor in every bite. This fresh strawberry spinach salad with creamy homemade poppy seed dressing is a refreshing dish that’s perfect for lunch, potlucks, or weeknight dinners.
Why You’ll Love This Salad
- ✅ Ready in just 20 minutes
- ✅ Bursting with summer freshness
- ✅ Balanced with sweet, creamy, and crunchy textures
- ✅ Easily customized for any diet (vegan, keto, gluten-free)
- ✅ A beautiful, crowd-pleasing side or light main
- ✅ Includes a creamy homemade dressing that elevates every bite
Fun fact: Americans eat over 8 pounds of strawberries per person every year! This salad gives you a brand-new, elevated way to enjoy them.
🛒 Key Ingredients & Substitutions
🥗 Salad Ingredients:
- 8 cups baby spinach – tender and sweet, the perfect leafy base
- 1 lb fresh strawberries – hulled and sliced
- ½ small red onion – thinly sliced (or sweet onion)
- 1 ripe avocado – diced before serving
- ¾ cup candied pecans – homemade or store-bought
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese – or goat cheese
- Optional protein: 2 cups grilled chicken, salmon, boiled eggs, tofu, or chickpeas
🧂 Dressing Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp honey (or maple syrup for vegan)
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp poppy seeds
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp finely minced shallot
🔄 Substitutions: Use arugula or spring mix in place of spinach. No poppy seeds? Try sesame or chia seeds.
🥣 Homemade Poppy Seed Dressing
This creamy dressing brings everything together with a sweet-tangy zip.
Instructions:
- In a bowl or mason jar, combine:
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp honey (or maple syrup)
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp poppy seeds
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp finely minced shallot
- Whisk until emulsified or shake vigorously in a jar.
- Taste and adjust – more honey for sweetness, more vinegar for tang.
🧊 Storage: Keeps 5–7 days in the fridge. Shake before use.
🍯 Easy Candied Pecans Recipe
These crunchy, sweet nuts take 5 minutes and make a huge difference!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup pecan halves
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp butter
- Pinch of sea salt
Directions:
- In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter.
- Add pecans and sugar. Stir constantly for 4–5 minutes until sugar melts and coats the nuts.
- Transfer to parchment paper to cool. Break apart once set.
🧺 Store in a sealed container for up to 2 weeks.
🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep the Spinach:
Wash thoroughly and dry using a spinner or towel. Place in a large salad bowl. - Slice the Strawberries:
Hull and cut into bite-sized slices. - Prepare the Onions:
Slice thinly. For a milder taste, soak in ice water for 10 minutes, then pat dry. - Dice the Avocado:
Cut just before serving to avoid browning. - Layer the Salad:
- Spinach base
- Strawberries
- Red onion
- Avocado
- Candied pecans
- Crumbled feta
- Optional protein
- Dress It:
Drizzle the dressing just before serving or serve it on the side.
✨ Expert Tips & Variations
🧠 Pro Tips:
- Use room-temperature strawberries for maximum flavor.
- Toss avocado with lemon juice to slow browning if prepping ahead.
- Store components separately if meal prepping.
🌈 Variations:
| Swap This | With That |
|---|---|
| Pecans | Walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds (nut-free) |
| Feta | Goat cheese, blue cheese, or plant-based cheese |
| Spinach | Spring mix, kale (massaged), arugula |
| Strawberries | Blueberries, raspberries, sliced peaches, apples |
| Honey | Maple syrup or agave for vegan |
🍗 What to Serve with This Salad
| Pairing Idea | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Grilled Chicken | Light protein, lets the salad shine |
| Herb-Crusted Salmon | Adds richness to complement the sweet notes |
| Crusty Bread | Perfect for soaking up extra dressing |
| Chilled Cucumber Soup | A cool and creamy contrast |
| Sparkling Water with Berries | Light and refreshing |
⏱ Make-Ahead & Storage
Meal Prep Tips:
- Spinach: Store with paper towels in a sealed container.
- Strawberries & Onions: Store in separate containers.
- Dressing: Store in a jar for up to 5–7 days.
- Candied Nuts: Keep dry in a container.
- Avocado: Slice fresh or sprinkle with lemon to delay browning.
For Lunches:
Layer ingredients in a mason jar:
- Dressing (bottom)
- Hearty items (chicken, nuts)
- Strawberries
- Spinach (top)
Shake before eating!
❓ FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries?
Not recommended—frozen berries become mushy and water down the salad.
Is this salad keto?
Use sugar-free sweeteners in the dressing and skip the pecans to reduce carbs.
Can I make it vegan?
Yes! Use maple syrup instead of honey and plant-based feta alternatives.
What if I don’t have poppy seeds?
You can leave them out or use sesame/chia seeds instead.
Can I make this for a crowd?
Absolutely—just scale up and add dressing just before serving.
🥗 Nutritional Information (Per Serving, without protein)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~250 |
| Protein | 6–7g |
| Carbs | 20–22g |
| Dietary Fiber | 7g |
| Fat | 16g |
| Sugars (natural) | ~9g |
| Sodium | ~300mg |
| Vitamin C | 100% DV |
| Iron | 15% DV |
🧠 Adding protein like chicken or tofu will boost calories & protein significantly.
❤️ Final Thoughts
This fresh strawberry spinach salad is more than just pretty—it’s packed with flavor, nutrition, and versatility. From its creamy homemade poppy seed dressing to the crunch of candied pecans, every bite is a perfect mix of taste and texture.
Whether you’re prepping for a cookout, healthy lunch, or light dinner, this salad delivers. Make it your own, play with seasonal ingredients, and don’t forget to tag #SahibaaRecipe when you share!
