Spinach Strawberry Nut Salad (Printable)

Tender spinach and juicy strawberries combine with nuts and a sweet dressing for a fresh, crunchy dish.

# Components:

→ Salad

01 - 5 oz fresh baby spinach leaves
02 - 9 oz strawberries, hulled and sliced
03 - ½ cup toasted pecans or sliced almonds
04 - ½ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
05 - 2 tablespoons red onion, thinly sliced (optional)

→ Sweet Poppy Seed Dressing

06 - ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
08 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
09 - 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
10 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
11 - ¼ teaspoon sea salt
12 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - In a large salad bowl, mix spinach, strawberries, nuts, feta cheese, and red onion if using.
02 - Whisk olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, poppy seeds, Dijon mustard, sea salt, and black pepper in a small bowl or jar until well emulsified.
03 - Drizzle the dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat all components evenly just before serving.
04 - Serve immediately to maintain freshness and crunch.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It takes 15 minutes and feels like you made something fancy without any real effort.
  • The poppy seed dressing is sweet and tangy enough that it tastes special, but there's nothing intimidating about it.
  • Strawberries and spinach together are somehow more refreshing than either one alone.
02 -
  • Don't dress the salad ahead of time—the spinach will wilt and the berries will weep their juice everywhere, which sounds dramatic but it's true.
  • Make the dressing a few hours ahead if you want, and just give it a shake before using it.
03 -
  • Make the dressing in a jar and keep it in the fridge for up to a week—it's better on day two after the flavors settle.
  • Taste the dressing before you add it to the salad, because sometimes you want it slightly sweeter or sharper depending on what strawberries taste like that day.
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