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Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe with Easy Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

fresh strawberry spinach salad - featured image
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A fresh and vibrant salad combining baby spinach, juicy strawberries, crunchy nuts, and a silky creamy poppy seed dressing made with Greek yogurt and cottage cheese. Perfect for a light, satisfying meal or side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups fresh baby spinach, washed and dried
  • 2 cups strawberries, sliced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup toasted pecans or walnuts
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (full-fat or low-fat, plain unsweetened)
  • 1/4 cup cottage cheese (small curd, well-drained)
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (use vegan mayo for dairy-free option)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Rinse the baby spinach leaves thoroughly, then spin or pat them dry to avoid watery salad.
  2. Slice the strawberries thinly, about 1/4 inch thick, and thinly slice the red onion; set aside.
  3. Heat a dry skillet over medium heat and toast the pecans or walnuts for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant and slightly browned. Remove from heat and let cool.
  4. In a small bowl or jar, combine Greek yogurt, well-drained cottage cheese, honey, apple cider vinegar, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper. Whisk or shake vigorously until smooth. Stir in the poppy seeds last to keep their crunch.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, gently toss the spinach, sliced strawberries, and red onion together. Add the toasted nuts and crumbled feta cheese if using.
  6. Drizzle the creamy poppy seed dressing over the salad, starting with half and tossing gently. Add more dressing as needed to coat evenly without drowning the leaves.
  7. Serve immediately for the freshest taste and texture.

Notes

Dry spinach thoroughly to avoid soggy salad. Toast nuts carefully to avoid burning. Make dressing ahead and store refrigerated up to 3 days. Keep dressing separate until serving if prepping salad in advance. Use vegan substitutes for dairy-free or vegan versions. Substitute poppy seeds with chia or sesame seeds if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry spinach salad, creamy poppy seed dressing, fresh salad, healthy salad, easy salad recipe, summer salad, gluten-free salad, vegetarian salad

Find it online: https://grubella.com/fresh-strawberry-spinach-salad-recipe-with-easy-creamy-poppy-seed-dressing/