Spinach Strawberry Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
A healthy, tangy, sweet spinach strawberry salad with poppy seed dressing with no added sugars. It's perfect for a party or light lunch, especially in the spring when strawberries are abundant.
Equipment
- 1 non-stick skillet, (to toast nuts)
- 1 pint jar, (for salad dressing)
Ingredients
For the Strawberry Spinach Salad:
- 3/4 cup raw walnuts, (chopped)
- 8 oz fresh baby spinach
- 1/2 small red onion , (thinly sliced)
- 16 oz fresh strawberries, (hulled and sliced)
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
For the Poppy Seed Dressing:
- 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tbsp white distilled vinegar
- 3 Tbsp avocado oil
- 1 1/2 Tbsp poppy seeds
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Directions:
- Prepare the dressing: Layer all the poppy seed salad ingredients in a pint-sized jar in the order given. Shake well until combined and emulsified. Keep refrigerated and always shake well before using.
- Soak the strawberries in cold water (enough to cover the tops) with two tablespoons of white distilled vinegar for two minutes (longer for storing in the fridge) to remove dirt and impurities. Wipe clean and slice into 1/8" thick slices. Set aside.
- Place the sliced onions in a bowl and soak in cold water for 5-10 minutes to remove the harsh aftertaste of raw onions. Remove and pat dry. Set aside.
- Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant and darker brown, stirring constantly to prevent them from burning (about 5 minutes). Cool.
- Assemble the salad: Place the spinach in a large salad bowl, add the sliced strawberries, crumbled feta cheese, sliced onions, and toasted walnuts. Gently toss with the poppy seed dressing before serving.
Notes
- Decrease the honey by 1/2 tablespoon if using balsamic vinegar.
- You can use red wine vinegar or Balsamic vinegar instead of the vinegars in the recipe.
- We found that avocado oil suited this dressing more than olive oil. It is more neutral in flavor and brings out the flavors more.
- Substitute walnuts for pecans.
- Shake the dressing well before using.
Nutrition Facts
Spinach Strawberry Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
Serving Size
1 serving
Amount per Serving
Calories
263
% Daily Value*
Fat
21
g
32
%
Saturated Fat
4
g
25
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
9
g
Monounsaturated Fat
7
g
Cholesterol
11
mg
4
%
Sodium
378
mg
16
%
Potassium
438
mg
13
%
Carbohydrates
17
g
6
%
Fiber
4
g
17
%
Sugar
10
g
11
%
Protein
6
g
12
%
Vitamin A
3610
IU
72
%
Vitamin C
56
mg
68
%
Calcium
162
mg
16
%
Iron
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
