Description
This Sweet Strawberry Spinach Salad with Dreamy Poppy Seed Dressing is a refreshing and vibrant dish perfect for spring and summer gatherings. It combines fresh baby spinach, juicy strawberries, tangy goat cheese, and crunchy candied pecans, all brought together with a creamy, sweet, and tangy poppy seed dressing that is chilled to deepen the flavors. This salad is an elegant side or a light main dish that is both visually appealing and deliciously balanced.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 6 cups Baby Spinach (or substitute with spring mix or romaine lettuce)
- 2 cups Strawberries, halved (can use blueberries or raspberries as alternatives)
- 4 tablespoons Green Onions, sliced (red, white, or yellow onions can be substituted)
- 4 ounces Goat Cheese (feta or sharp white cheddar work well too)
- 1 cup Candied Pecans (or substitute with candied walnuts or almonds)
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Olive Oil
- 1/4 cup Mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Honey (maple syrup or granulated sugar can be used)
- 2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar (white or balsamic vinegar can also be used)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard (or any favorite mustard)
- 2 teaspoons Poppy Seeds
- Sea Salt, to taste
- Black Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: In a jar, combine the olive oil, mayonnaise, honey, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, sea salt, and black pepper. Shake vigorously or whisk until all ingredients are smoothly blended together. Chill the dressing in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to marry and intensify.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, gently toss together the baby spinach, halved strawberries, sliced green onions, goat cheese, and candied pecans. Be careful not to bruise the ingredients, and reserve some of each ingredient to use as garnish when serving.
- Toss and Serve: Drizzle the chilled poppy seed dressing over the salad mixture. Toss gently but thoroughly until all components are beautifully coated with the dressing. Transfer the salad to a serving dish and decorate with the reserved strawberries, goat cheese crumbles, and candied pecans. Optionally, serve extra dressing on the side for guests who prefer more or less.
Notes
- Chilling the dressing for at least 2 hours enhances its flavor and texture.
- Substitute ingredients according to availability or dietary preferences without compromising the salad’s balance.
- For a vegan version, replace mayonnaise with vegan mayonnaise and honey with maple syrup.
- The salad is best served immediately after dressing to prevent spinach from wilting.
- To save time, dressing can be prepared the night before.
