Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing (15 minutes!)

All salad lovers are invited! this Strawberry Spinach Salad It’s the perfect combination of sweet and savory, with juicy strawberries, tangy feta crumbles, crunchy red onions, fresh baby spinach piled high with maple candied almonds and drizzled with a creamy homemade poppy seed dressing.

This is my favorite summer salad because it comes together in about 15 minutes, makes a great light lunch or nice side dish, and tastes just like what you order at a restaurant. The combination of sweet strawberries, salty feta cheese, and crunchy candied almonds makes all the flavors stand out.

Below, we break down all the components, including candied almonds, dressing you make from scratch, storage tips, easy swaps, and what to serve together for a complete meal.

Perfect summer salad

Do you know a recipe that will turn back time? this Strawberry Spinach Salad He takes me to high school after spending the whole day at my neighbor’s house. Their mom used to buy the most amazing poppy seed dressing, and it felt like there was always a big bowl of berry salad in the fridge. It was free for everyone!

As an adult, I’ve noticed my taste for salads has changed a bit. Now I need a good mix of textures as well as a balance of sweet and savory in every salad I eat. That’s what this Strawberry Spinach Salad has to offer. And it’s become one of the most popular salad recipes on Fit Foodie Finds.

Strawberry Spinach Salad Ingredients

If you’re planning a salad-only meal, it’s important to make sure it has nutritious ingredients to get you through the day. I chose all of the ingredients for this salad because they complement each other beautifully and each brings something different to the table.

spinach: Spinach is one of the leafy vegetables! It goes well with almost any dressing and can be served hot or cold. Spinach contains iron, B vitamins, calcium, and folic acid. You get a lot of bang for your buck with spinach-based salads.

Fresh strawberries: Not only are strawberries super sweet and delicious, they also add a lot of nutritional value to any meal. Strawberries are rich in vitamins C and K and are also a great source of potassium! Add more strawberries to this salad or chop them differently. I like to leave larger chunks, but bite-sized pieces work well too. If you love adding strawberries to your salads, try my Strawberry Broccoli Salad and Strawberry Quinoa Salad next time.

The feta breaks down: Tangy and salty feta cheese is the perfect balance with sweet strawberries. If you prefer creamy cheeses, goat cheese is delicious (it goes great with an arugula salad).

Red Onion: I know raw red onions can be polarizing! If you don’t like raw onions, check out my post on how to make caramelized onions and try using those instead. Raw red onions not only add delicious crunch and chew to any salad, but they’re also packed with antioxidants, vitamin C, and potassium. A little goes a long way!

Poppy Seed Dressing: Don’t be afraid. Making poppy seed dressing at home is really easy. I use a combination of Greek yogurt, lemon juice, poppy seeds, and vinegar to make a much lighter and creamier dressing than store-bought. Poppy seeds are known to aid digestion and are rich in antioxidants!

How to Make Candied Almonds

These candied almonds are inspired by oil-free maple roasted pecans! You won’t believe how easy it is to make. It uses just three ingredients and takes just 8 minutes in the oven.

1. Spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Toss the sliced ​​almonds with maple syrup and a pinch of salt.
3. Spread in a single layer on baking sheet.
4. Bake at 400°F for 8 minutes, until golden and fragrant.

It’s sweet, salty, crunchy and totally addictive. Almonds also add a healthy amount of fiber and protein to this Strawberry Spinach Salad!

How to Make Strawberry Spinach Salad

This salad couldn’t be simpler to put together. Here’s how to do it step by step:

1. Make candied almonds: Toss sliced ​​almonds with maple syrup and salt and roast at 400°F for 8 minutes. Let cool while you prepare everything else.
2. Whisk the dressing: Combine olive oil, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, poppy seeds, and salt. (Full recipe in my Poppy Seed Dressing post.)
3. Assemble the salad: Divide the fresh spinach among 4 bowls. Top with sliced ​​strawberries, feta crumbles, sliced ​​red onion and candied almonds.
4. Dress and serve: Drizzle about 2 tablespoons of poppy seed dressing into each bowl and enjoy!

Tips for the Best Strawberry Spinach Salad

• Use ripe, seasonal strawberries. They make a big difference in this salad because they are naturally sweeter and more flavorful.
• Dry the spinach well: Excess moisture will dilute the dressing. A salad spinner works great here.
• Dress just before serving: Spinach will wilt if left in the dressing for too long. If you’re meal prepping, keep the dressing separate.
• Let the almonds cool completely: It will become crunchy as it cools. If you add it while it’s warm, the spinach may wilt.
• Slice the red onion into thin slices: Paper-thin pieces are better distributed and have a softer bite.

Substitutions and Variations

This salad is endlessly customizable! Here are some easy replacement methods:

• greens: Swap spinach for arugula, mixed greens, or a combination. My arugula salad uses a similar flavor profile.
• strawberry: Blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries all work beautifully in place of (or in conjunction with) strawberries.
• cheese: Instead of feta cheese, try goat cheese, fresh mozzarella, or shredded Parmesan cheese.
• nuts: Candied pecans, walnuts, or pistachios are all delicious alternatives. Summer Salad with Honey-Roasted Pistachios uses a similar concept.
• dressing: A simple balsamic vinaigrette or my favorite dressing would also work well here.
• Make it vegan: Skip the feta cheese and Greek yogurt in the dressing and use a simple olive oil and lemon vinaigrette instead.

What to Serve with Strawberry Spinach Salad

This salad is perfect for a light lunch on its own, but if you want to turn it into a larger meal, here are some of my favorite combinations:

• Grilled Chicken: Juicy grilled chicken is the easiest way to add protein. Slice right on top!
• salmon: Pieces of pan-seared salmon pair beautifully with sweet berries and tangy feta cheese.
• Grilled California Chicken: My grilled California chicken is another great summer protein option.
• soup: Keep it light with a cup of soup on the side for the perfect lunch combo.
• Hard bread: A slice of warm sourdough never hurts paired with a hearty salad!

How to store and prepare meals

This Strawberry Spinach Salad is fantastic for meal prep! Here’s how I do it:

• Meal Prep Containers: Divide spinach, strawberries, feta cheese, and red onion among 4 containers. Store the candied almonds and dressing in separate small containers so nothing gets soggy.
• save: Prepared ingredients will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Add almonds and dressing just before serving.
• dressing: You can store poppy seed dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Shake well before use.
• Candied Almonds: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. They will stay nice and crunchy!

Strawberry Spinach Salad FAQs

Can I make the Strawberry Spinach Salad in advance?

yes! Prepare all components and store separately in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Store the dressing and candied almonds in separate containers and add them just before serving to prevent them from getting soggy.

What proteins go well with strawberry spinach salad?

Grilled chicken, pan-seared salmon, and shrimp are all great choices. If you want to stay vegetarian, eating a handful of chickpeas or some edamame will also boost your protein content.

Can I use a different dressing?

entirely! A simple balsamic vinaigrette, raspberry vinaigrette, or light lemon dressing also go well with strawberries and spinach. For more ideas, check out my favorite salad dressing recipes.

Is Strawberry Spinach Salad Healthy?

yes! Spinach is rich in iron, vitamins and calcium. Strawberries are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. Homemade poppy seed dressing is lighter than most store-bought options by using Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise. A nutritious salad that is naturally gluten-free.

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