Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing (15 Minutes!)

Calling all salad lovers! This strawberry spinach salad is the right mixture of candy and savory — recent child spinach piled excessive with juicy sliced strawberries, tangy feta crumbles, crispy pink onion, and maple-candied almonds, all drizzled with a creamy homemade poppyseed dressing.

It’s my go-to summer season salad as a result of it comes collectively in about quarter-hour, works as a light-weight lunch or a stunning aspect dish, and tastes like one thing you’d order at a restaurant. The mixture of candy strawberries, salty feta, and crunchy candied almonds hits each word.

Under I’m breaking down each part — the candied almonds, the from-scratch dressing, storage suggestions, simple swaps, and what to serve alongside it to make it a full meal.

The Good Summer season Salad

Are you aware these recipes that carry you again in time? This strawberry spinach salad takes me again to highschool after I would spend all day at my neighbor’s home. Their mother would purchase essentially the most superb poppyseed dressing and it felt like there was at all times an enormous bowl of berry salad of their fridge — a complete free for all!

As an grownup, I’ve discovered that my palate for salads has modified just a bit bit. I now want a steadiness of candy and savory, in addition to a great combination of texture in each salad I eat. That’s precisely what this strawberry spinach salad delivers — and it’s change into some of the widespread salad recipes on Match Foodie Finds.

Strawberry Spinach Salad Elements

For those who’re planning on having a salad for a full meal, it’s vital to pack it with nutritious components that can preserve you going all day. I selected each ingredient on this salad as a result of they complement one another fantastically and every one brings one thing totally different to the desk.

Spinach: Spinach is the leafy inexperienced of leafy greens! It’s nice with nearly any dressing and you may eat it chilly or scorching. Spinach is full of iron, vitamin B, calcium, and folic acid. You get a number of bang on your buck with any spinach-based salad.

Recent strawberries: Not solely are strawberries completely candy and scrumptious, however in addition they supply a number of dietary worth to any meal. Strawberries are wealthy in nutritional vitamins C and Ok, they usually’re additionally an ideal supply of potassium! Be happy so as to add additional strawberries to this salad or chop them in another way. I like to depart greater chunks, however bite-sized items work nice too. For those who love strawberries in salads, attempt my strawberry broccoli salad and strawberry quinoa salad subsequent.

Feta crumbles: Tangy, salty feta is the right counterbalance to the candy strawberries. For those who choose a creamier cheese, goat cheese is a scrumptious swap (it really works fantastically in my arugula salad).

Purple onion: I do know uncooked pink onion may be polarizing! For those who’re not a uncooked onion particular person, try my how to make caramelized onions post and use these as an alternative. Uncooked pink onion provides a scrumptious crunch and chunk to any salad, plus it’s full of antioxidants, vitamin C, and potassium. A little bit goes a good distance!

Poppyseed dressing: Don’t be afraid — making homemade poppyseed dressing is SO simple. I take advantage of a mix of Greek yogurt, lemon juice, poppy seeds, and vinegar for a light-weight, creamy dressing that’s manner higher than store-bought. Poppy seeds are identified to help digestion and are full of antioxidants!

Easy methods to Make Candied Almonds

These candied almonds have been impressed by my oil-free maple roasted pecans! You’re not going to consider how simple they’re to make — simply three components and eight minutes within the oven.

1. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Toss slivered almonds with maple syrup and a pinch of salt.
3. Unfold them in a single layer on the baking sheet.
4. Bake at 400ºF for 8 minutes till golden and aromatic.

They arrive out candy, salty, crunchy, and utterly addicting. Almonds additionally add a wholesome dose of fiber and protein to this strawberry spinach salad!

Easy methods to Make Strawberry Spinach Salad

This salad couldn’t be easier to throw collectively. Right here’s the step-by-step:

1. Make the candied almonds: Toss slivered almonds with maple syrup and salt, then bake at 400ºF for 8 minutes. Allow them to cool when you prep the whole lot else.
2. Whisk the dressing: Mix olive oil, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, poppy seeds, and salt. (Full recipe in my poppyseed dressing post.)
3. Assemble the salad: Divide recent spinach amongst 4 bowls. Prime with sliced strawberries, feta crumbles, sliced pink onion, and candied almonds.
4. Gown and serve: Drizzle about two tablespoons of poppyseed dressing over every bowl and revel in!

Suggestions for the Greatest Strawberry Spinach Salad

• Use ripe, in-season strawberries: They’re naturally sweeter and juicier, which makes an enormous distinction on this salad.
• Dry your spinach nicely: Extra moisture will dilute the dressing. A salad spinner works nice right here.
• Gown proper earlier than serving: The spinach will wilt if it sits in dressing too lengthy. If meal prepping, preserve the dressing on the aspect.
• Let the almonds cool utterly: They’ll crisp up as they cool. For those who add them whereas heat, they’ll wilt the spinach.
• Thinly slice the pink onion: Paper-thin slices distribute higher and have a milder chunk.

Substitutions and Variations

This salad is endlessly customizable! Listed below are some simple swaps:

• Greens: Swap spinach for arugula, blended greens, or a mix. My arugula salad makes use of an identical taste profile.
• Berries: Blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries all work fantastically instead of (or along with) strawberries.
• Cheese: Attempt goat cheese, recent mozzarella, or shaved Parmesan as an alternative of feta.
• Nuts: Candied pecans, walnuts, or pistachios are all scrumptious options. My summer salad with honey roasted pistachios makes use of an identical idea.
• Dressing: A easy balsamic French dressing or any of my favorite dressings would work right here too.
• Make it vegan: Skip the feta and Greek yogurt within the dressing — use a easy olive oil and lemon French dressing as an alternative.

What to Serve with Strawberry Spinach Salad

This salad works as a light-weight lunch by itself, however if you wish to flip it into a much bigger meal, listed below are my favourite pairings:

• Grilled hen: My juicy grilled chicken is the best manner so as to add protein. Slice it proper on high!
• Salmon: A bit of pan-seared salmon pairs fantastically with the candy berries and tangy feta.
• Grilled California hen: My grilled California chicken is one other nice summer season protein choice.
• Soup: Maintain it gentle with a cup of soup on the aspect for an ideal lunch combo.
• Crusty bread: A slice of heat sourdough by no means hurts alongside a giant salad!

Easy methods to Retailer and Meal Prep

This strawberry spinach salad is implausible for meal prep! Right here’s how I do it:

• Meal prep containers: Divide the spinach, strawberries, feta, and pink onion into 4 containers. Maintain the candied almonds and dressing in separate small containers so nothing will get soggy.
• Storage: The prepped parts will final 3–4 days within the fridge. Add the almonds and dressing proper earlier than consuming.
• Dressing: The poppyseed dressing retains for as much as 1 week in an hermetic jar within the fridge. Give it a great shake earlier than utilizing.
• Candied almonds: Retailer in an hermetic container at room temperature for as much as 1 week. They’ll keep good and crunchy!

Strawberry Spinach Salad FAQ

Can I make strawberry spinach salad forward of time?

Sure! Prep all the parts and retailer them individually within the fridge for as much as 4 days. Maintain the dressing and candied almonds in their very own containers and add them proper earlier than serving so nothing will get soggy.

What protein goes nicely with strawberry spinach salad?

Grilled hen, pan-seared salmon, and shrimp are all wonderful choices. Even a handful of chickpeas or some edamame will increase the protein if you wish to preserve it vegetarian.

Can I take advantage of a unique dressing?

Completely! A easy balsamic French dressing, raspberry French dressing, or perhaps a gentle lemon dressing would pair nicely with the strawberries and spinach. Take a look at my favorite salad dressing recipes for extra concepts.

Is strawberry spinach salad wholesome?

Sure! Spinach is full of iron, nutritional vitamins, and calcium. Strawberries are wealthy in vitamin C and antioxidants. The home made poppyseed dressing makes use of Greek yogurt as an alternative of mayo, conserving it lighter than most store-bought choices. It’s a nutrient-dense salad that’s additionally naturally gluten-free.

Extra Salad Recipes to Attempt