Spring Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
A fresh and vibrant salad featuring sweet strawberries and tender spinach, tossed in a creamy poppy seed dressing perfect for a light Mother’s Day starter. This American-inspired salad recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 15 minutes, pairs baby spinach leaves, fresh strawberries, sliced, crumbled feta cheese into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 190 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 6 cups baby spinach leaves
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp poppy seeds
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large salad bowl, combine 6 cups baby spinach, 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries, 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese, 1/3 cup toasted sliced almonds, and 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion.
- Step 2: In a separate small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp poppy seeds, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Step 3: Pour the poppy seed dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Step 4: Serve immediately as a refreshing starter or side dish.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spring Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Spring Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep baby spinach leaves from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spring Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Spring Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Spring Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
