Strawberry Spinach With Balsamic Poppy Seed (Printable)
Sweet strawberries and spinach meet tangy balsamic poppy seed dressing in this refreshing 15-minute salad.
# What You'll Need:
→ Salad Components
01 - 6 cups baby spinach, washed and thoroughly dried
02 - 1 pint (2 cups) fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
03 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced into rounds
04 - 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
05 - 1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted
06 - 1/4 cup sunflower seeds (optional)
→ Balsamic Poppy Seed Dressing
07 - 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
08 - 1 tablespoon honey or pure maple syrup
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
11 - 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
# Method:
01 - Combine the baby spinach, sliced strawberries, red onion, feta cheese, toasted almonds, and sunflower seeds (if using) in a large salad bowl.
02 - Whisk together balsamic vinegar, honey (or maple syrup), and Dijon mustard in a small bowl or jar. While whisking continuously, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until fully emulsified. Stir in poppy seeds and season with salt and pepper.
03 - Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving. Toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly without crushing delicate components. Serve immediately.
# Insider Tips:
01 -
- The sweet strawberries and tangy feta create this incredible flavor combination that tastes like sunshine on a plate
- It comes together in literally 15 minutes but looks like something from a fancy restaurant
02 -
- Dress this salad right before serving because the acid in the balsamic will make the spinach wilt if it sits too long
- Completely dry your spinach after washing, or the dressing will slide right off instead of coating the leaves
03 -
- Use the best quality balsamic vinegar you can find, as it really makes a difference in the overall flavor
- Let the sliced strawberries sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving to bring out their natural sweetness