Strawberry Spinach Balsamic Poppy Seed (Printable)

Fresh strawberries and baby spinach tossed with tangy balsamic poppy seed dressing, crunchy almonds, and creamy 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

# How To Make It:

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 sliced almonds, and sunflower seeds if using.
02 - In a small mixing bowl or jar, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, honey (or maple syrup), and Dijon mustard until blended. While whisking continuously, slowly drizzle in the olive oil to create an emulsified dressing. Stir in the poppy seeds and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
03 - Drizzle the balsamic poppy seed dressing over the salad just before serving. Toss gently with salad tongs to evenly coat all ingredients without crushing the delicate spinach. Serve immediately, garnished with additional strawberry slices or almonds if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The dressing comes together in literally two minutes and keeps for weeks
  • It makes you look like you put in way more effort than you actually did
02 -
  • The dressing can be made up to a week ahead and actually tastes better after the flavors meld
  • Never dress the salad until you are literally ready to eat or it will get soggy and sad
03 -
  • Toast your almonds in a dry pan over medium heat, shaking frequently until golden and fragrant
  • Let sliced strawberries sit for 10 minutes to release their natural juices before adding to the salad

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