Strawberry Spinach Poppy Seed Dressing (Printable)
Fresh strawberries and spinach with tangy poppy seed dressing, crunchy nuts, and creamy feta.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Salad Components
01 - 5 oz fresh baby spinach, washed and dried
02 - 8 oz fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
03 - ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
04 - ½ cup red onion, thinly sliced
05 - ⅓ cup toasted pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped
06 - 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds
→ Poppy Seed Dressing
07 - ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
08 - 1½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar
09 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
10 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
11 - 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
12 - ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
13 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# How to Prepare:
01 - Whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, salt, and pepper in a small bowl or jar until emulsified. Set aside at room temperature.
02 - Place spinach, sliced strawberries, red onion, feta cheese, and toasted nuts in a large salad bowl. Arrange ingredients evenly for visual appeal.
03 - Drizzle the poppy seed dressing over the salad just before serving. Toss gently to coat all ingredients without bruising the spinach. Sprinkle sunflower seeds on top and serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It is the perfect balance of salty feta and sweet fruit.
- The homemade dressing comes together in seconds but tastes gourmet.
02 -
- Do not dress the salad until you are ready to serve or the spinach will wilt.
- Soaking the sliced red onion in cold water for ten minutes removes the harsh bite.
03 -
- Make a double batch of the dressing to keep in the fridge for the week.
- Toast your raw nuts in a dry skillet for three minutes to maximize flavor.