Strawberry Spinach Balsamic Poppy Seed (Printable)
Sweet strawberries meet crisp spinach in a tangy balsamic poppy seed dressing. Ready in 15 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Salad Components
01 - 6 cups baby spinach, washed and thoroughly dried
02 - 1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
03 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
04 - 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
05 - 1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted
06 - 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
→ 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 Cook:
01 - Combine the baby spinach, sliced strawberries, red onion, feta cheese, toasted almonds, and sunflower seeds in a large salad bowl.
02 - Whisk together the balsamic vinegar, honey or maple syrup, and Dijon mustard in a small mixing bowl. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking constantly until fully emulsified. Stir in the 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. Serve immediately, garnished with additional strawberries or almonds if desired.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The sweet and tangy balance feels like something you would order at a brunch spot but takes fifteen minutes to throw together
- It holds up beautifully for hours, making it perfect for potlucks or meal prep lunches that do not get soggy
02 -
- Dressing the salad too early will make everything wilt and sad, so wait until the moment you are ready to eat
- Dry your spinach thoroughly, or the dressing will slide right off instead of coating each leaf
03 -
- Use a glass jar with a tight lid to shake the dressing instead of whisking, and it will emulsify perfectly with less effort
- Let the dressed salad sit for just two minutes before serving, and the flavors will marry together beautifully