Strawberry Spinach Balsamic Poppy (Printable)

Sweet strawberries meet baby spinach in a refreshing salad topped with tangy balsamic poppy seed dressing, feta, and toasted almonds.

# 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 into rings
04 - 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
05 - 1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted until golden
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

# Directions:

01 - Combine the baby spinach, sliced strawberries, red onion rings, crumbled feta, toasted almonds, and sunflower seeds in a large salad bowl. Toss gently to distribute ingredients evenly.
02 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, honey or maple syrup, and Dijon mustard until smooth. While whisking continuously, slowly drizzle in the olive oil to create an emulsified dressing. Stir in the poppy seeds, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
03 - Drizzle the balsamic poppy seed dressing over the salad just before serving. Toss gently using salad tongs to coat all ingredients without damaging the spinach. Serve immediately, optionally garnishing with additional strawberry slices or almonds.

# Helpful Tips:

01 -
  • The dressing strikes that perfect balance between tangy and sweet without overpowering delicate greens
  • Everything comes together in fifteen minutes flat yet looks like something from a restaurant menu
02 -
  • Dress this salad right before serving or the spinach will wilt into disappointment within twenty minutes
  • Toast the nuts ahead of time but store them separately so they stay crunchy until the moment they hit the bowl
03 -
  • Dry your spinach completely with a salad spinner or paper towels because water on the leaves prevents the dressing from clinging properly
  • Let the dressing sit for ten minutes before tossing—the flavors meld together and it tastes noticeably better

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