Strawberry Spinach Balsamic Poppy Seed (Printable)

Vibrant blend of fresh strawberries, baby spinach, and tangy balsamic poppy seed dressing with crispy almonds and feta.

# 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 rings
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

# Directions:

01 - Place the washed and dried baby spinach in a large salad bowl. Add the sliced strawberries, thinly sliced red onion, crumbled feta cheese, toasted almonds, and sunflower seeds if using.
02 - In a small mixing bowl or jar, combine the balsamic vinegar, honey (or maple syrup), and Dijon mustard. Whisk thoroughly to blend. While whisking continuously, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture is fully emulsified and thickened. Stir in the poppy seeds, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
03 - Drizzle the balsamic poppy seed dressing over the salad just before serving. Use salad tongs to toss gently, ensuring all ingredients are lightly coated without crushing the delicate spinach.
04 - Transfer to individual plates or serve family-style. Garnish with additional strawberry slices or toasted almonds if desired. For optimal texture and freshness, consume immediately after dressing.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The sweet strawberries cut through the tangy feta in a way that makes every bite interesting
  • You can throw it together in fifteen minutes flat when unexpected guests arrive
  • The homemade dressing tastes infinitely better than anything store-bought
02 -
  • Never dress this salad ahead of time or the spinach will wilt into something sad and soggy
  • Letting the dressing sit for ten minutes before tossing allows the flavors to meld together beautifully
03 -
  • A salad spinner is your best friend for getting spinach truly dry
  • Room temperature ingredients make the dressing emulsify more easily

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