This Strawberry Spinach Salad is a fresh, colorful dish featuring sweet strawberries, tender baby spinach, crunchy toasted pecans, creamy feta cheese, and a homemade poppy seed dressing. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors, making it an ideal side dish for spring and summer or a light, healthy lunch any time of year.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fresh, vibrant, and full of flavor
- Ready in just 15 minutes
- Sweet, savory, crunchy, and creamy in every bite
- Perfect for spring and summer gatherings
- Easy to customize with your favorite toppings
- Great as a side salad or light main course
Ingredients
Salad
- 5 ounces fresh baby spinach
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, thinly sliced
- ⅓ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup toasted pecans
- 2 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
- Sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Poppy Seed Dressing
- 1 recipe homemade poppy seed dressing
Instructions
- Wash and thoroughly dry the spinach.
- Hull and thinly slice the strawberries.
- Thinly slice the red onion.
- Toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3–5 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant. Allow them to cool.
- Place the spinach into a large serving bowl.
- Add the sliced strawberries and red onion.
- Sprinkle the toasted pecans and crumbled feta cheese over the salad.
- Drizzle the poppy seed dressing over the Strawberry Spinach Salad just before serving.
- Toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately.
Tips & Tricks
- Use ripe, sweet strawberries for the best flavor.
- Dry the spinach thoroughly to help the dressing cling to the leaves.
- Toasting the pecans enhances their nutty flavor and crunch.
- Add grilled chicken or grilled shrimp for a complete meal.
- Substitute goat cheese for feta if preferred.
- Dress the salad just before serving to keep the spinach crisp.
Details
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dietary Notes: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Notes
- Candied pecans can be used for a sweeter variation.
- Walnuts or sliced almonds make excellent substitutes for pecans.
- Add blueberries, raspberries, or avocado for extra flavor and texture.
- Homemade poppy seed dressing provides the freshest taste.
Nutrition (Approximate Per Serving)
- Calories: 280
- Protein: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fat: 22g
FAQ
Can I make Strawberry Spinach Salad ahead of time?
Yes. Prepare all the ingredients ahead of time, but wait to add the dressing until just before serving.
Can I use frozen strawberries?
Fresh strawberries are strongly recommended because frozen berries release too much moisture after thawing.
What protein pairs well with this salad?
Grilled chicken, grilled shrimp, roasted turkey, or salmon all pair beautifully with this salad.
Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes. Simply omit the feta cheese or replace it with a dairy-free cheese alternative.
What dressing works best besides poppy seed dressing?
A balsamic vinaigrette, honey mustard dressing, raspberry vinaigrette, or lemon vinaigrette are all delicious options.
Storage
- Refrigerator: Store undressed salad in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Dressing: Keep the dressing refrigerated separately for up to 1 week.
- Freezer: Not recommended.
Similar Recipes
Strawberry Spinach Salad
Ingredients
Salad
- 5 ounces fresh baby spinach
- 1 cup fresh strawberries thinly sliced
- ⅓ cup red onion thinly sliced
- ½ cup toasted pecans
- 2 ounces feta cheese crumbled
- Sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Poppy Seed Dressing
- 1 recipe homemade poppy seed dressing
Instructions
- Wash and thoroughly dry the spinach.
- Hull and thinly slice the strawberries.
- Thinly slice the red onion.
- Toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3–5 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant. Allow them to cool.
- Place the spinach into a large serving bowl.
- Add the sliced strawberries and red onion.
- Sprinkle the toasted pecans and crumbled feta cheese over the salad.
- Drizzle the poppy seed dressing over the Strawberry Spinach Salad just before serving.
- Toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Candied pecans can be used for a sweeter variation.
- Walnuts or sliced almonds make excellent substitutes for pecans.
- Add blueberries, raspberries, or avocado for extra flavor and texture.
- Homemade poppy seed dressing provides the freshest taste.
Conclusion
This Strawberry Spinach Salad is the perfect combination of fresh fruit, leafy greens, crunchy pecans, and creamy feta cheese. Tossed with a flavorful poppy seed dressing, it’s an elegant yet simple recipe that’s ideal for everything from weeknight dinners to holiday gatherings. Once you try this refreshing salad, it’s sure to become one of your favorite seasonal recipes.