Go Back
To create a delicious Strawberry Spinach Salad, you need these fresh items: - 4 cups fresh baby spinach leaves - 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced - 1/2 cup goat cheese, crumbled - 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted - 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced These ingredients give the salad a bright color and great taste. Fresh spinach adds a crunchy base. Strawberries bring sweetness and juiciness. Goat cheese adds creaminess, while red onion gives a nice bite. Toasted almonds add extra crunch. The dressing is key to the salad's flavor. Here are the main ingredients: - 1/3 cup olive oil - 1/4 cup honey - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard - Salt and pepper to taste This poppyseed dressing is sweet and tangy. The olive oil adds richness, while honey balances the acidity of the vinegar. Dijon mustard brings a slight kick, and salt and pepper enhance all the flavors. You can customize your salad with these add-ins: - Sliced avocado - Grilled chicken - Crumbled feta cheese - Fresh herbs like basil or mint These options let you make the salad your own. Avocado adds creaminess, while grilled chicken provides protein. Feta cheese offers a salty flavor, and herbs add freshness. Feel free to mix and match! For the complete recipe, check out the Full Recipe. To make the poppyseed dressing, start by gathering your ingredients. You will need olive oil, honey, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. In a small bowl or jar, mix the olive oil and honey together. Then, add the apple cider vinegar and Dijon mustard. Sprinkle in some salt and pepper to taste. Whisk or shake it all until it blends well. Set this flavorful dressing aside while you prepare the salad. Next, let’s toast the almonds to bring out their rich flavor. Grab a dry skillet and heat it on medium. Add the sliced almonds to the skillet. Stir them often for about 3 to 4 minutes. You want them golden and fragrant, but be careful not to burn them! Once toasted, remove the skillet from the heat and let the almonds cool before adding them to your salad. Now comes the fun part—assembling the salad! Take a large salad bowl and add the fresh baby spinach as your base. Next, sprinkle the sliced strawberries over the spinach. Crumble the goat cheese and add that on top. Then, add the thinly sliced red onion for a bit of bite. Just before serving, drizzle the poppyseed dressing over the salad and gently toss everything together. Finally, finish with the toasted almonds for that extra crunch. Enjoy your Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing! For the complete recipe, check the Full Recipe section. When picking strawberries, look for bright red color. The berries should feel firm, not soft. Check for a sweet scent; this shows ripeness. Avoid berries with white or green spots. These parts may be under ripe. Always choose strawberries with fresh green tops. These indicate freshness and good quality. Buying organic is a great choice if you can. They often have better flavor and fewer chemicals. To store leftover salad, place it in a sealed container. Use a container with an airtight lid for best results. Keep the salad in the fridge. Do not add dressing until you’re ready to eat. This helps the salad stay crisp. Leftover salad is best eaten within two days. If it wilts, consider using it in a smoothie or soup. Adding herbs can really boost the flavor of your salad. Fresh mint or basil works well with strawberries. Just chop a few leaves and sprinkle them on top. You can also add ground black pepper for a little kick. A pinch of sea salt brightens the taste, too. If you want a tangy twist, try adding a splash of lemon juice. {{image_2}} If you want to change things up, try different greens. Arugula adds a peppery kick. Kale brings a hearty texture. Mixed greens are mild and colorful. Each option gives the salad a new spin. You can also mix greens for a fun twist. Experiment to find your favorite combination. Cheese makes the salad richer. Goat cheese is creamy and tangy, but you can swap it. Feta cheese gives a salty burst. Blue cheese adds a bold taste. Shredded cheddar offers a sharp flavor. Each cheese option helps create a unique dish. Choose one that you love or try them all! To make this salad a meal, add protein. Grilled chicken is a classic choice. Shrimp adds a touch of elegance. Tofu is great for a veggie option. Chickpeas bring a hearty feel and extra fiber. By adding protein, you make the salad satisfying and filling. It’s a simple way to boost nutrition! For the full experience, check the Full Recipe to see how to put it all together. To keep your Strawberry Spinach Salad fresh, store it in a sealed container. Use an airtight container to prevent moisture loss. I recommend placing a paper towel inside the container. This will absorb extra moisture and keep the greens crisp. Store it in the fridge for the best taste. For the poppyseed dressing, pour it into a jar with a tight lid. Keep it in the fridge for up to a week. Before using, give it a good shake. The oil and vinegar may separate, so mixing it helps restore the flavor. The salad is best eaten fresh, but you can keep it for a day or two. If you want to freeze the poppyseed dressing, it can last for about three months. Just remember to thaw it in the fridge before use. Freezing the salad itself is not recommended, as the texture changes. Always enjoy it fresh for the best taste experience. For the full recipe, check out the details above. Yes, you can prepare the salad ahead of time. However, keep the dressing separate. Mix the salad ingredients in a bowl, but wait to add the dressing. This keeps the greens fresh and crunchy. If you store it correctly, it lasts for a day in the fridge. If you don't have poppy seeds, use sesame seeds or chopped nuts. Both add a nice crunch. You can also skip seeds altogether if you prefer. The salad still tastes great without them. To stop the salad from wilting, use fresh ingredients. Wash and dry spinach just before you make the salad. Always dress the salad right before serving. This keeps the leaves crisp and vibrant. For extra crunch, add nuts just before serving. This article covered how to make a fresh and tasty salad. You learned about key ingredients, like strawberries and almonds, and how to make a poppyseed dressing. I shared tips to select fresh items and store leftovers. You also saw how to switch greens and add proteins for variety. In conclusion, this salad is easy to make and fun to customize. Enjoy fresh flavors that brighten your meals!

Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing

Elevate your salad game with this delicious Strawberry Bliss Spinach Salad! Bursting with fresh ingredients like baby spinach, juicy strawberries, and creamy goat cheese, this vibrant dish is perfect for any occasion. Drizzled with a homemade poppyseed dressing, it’s refreshing and easy to make. Ready to impress your guests or enjoy a healthy meal? Click through to discover the full recipe and tips for serving this delightful salad!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients
  

4 cups fresh baby spinach leaves

1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

1/2 cup goat cheese, crumbled

1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted

1/4 red onion, thinly sliced

1/4 cup poppy seeds

For the Poppyseed Dressing:

1/3 cup olive oil

1/4 cup honey

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, combine olive oil, honey, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Whisk or shake until well combined and emulsified. Set aside.

    Toast the Almonds: In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the sliced almonds for about 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool.

      Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, place the baby spinach as the base.

        Add the Toppings: Scatter the sliced strawberries, crumbled goat cheese, and sliced red onion over the spinach.

          Dress the Salad: Drizzle the poppyseed dressing over the salad just before serving and gently toss to combine.

            Finish with Almonds: Top the salad with toasted almonds for added crunch and flavor.

              Prep Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 15 minutes | Servings: 4

                - Presentation Tips: Serve the salad on a large platter for family-style serving, or in individual bowls. Garnish each serving with a whole strawberry and a sprinkle of poppy seeds for an elegant touch. Enjoy!