Fresh spinach with strawberries, pecans, and poppy seed dressing
Strawberry Spinach Salad
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
0 min
Total Time
15 min
Servings
4
4 servings
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Budget
$
Strawberry Spinach Salad
Fresh spinach with strawberries, pecans, and poppy seed dressing
★4.8(16)
A bright spring salad of tender baby spinach, sliced strawberries, candied pecans, and crumbled feta tossed in a sweet poppy seed vinaigrette. Refreshing, colorful, and crowd-pleasing.
15m
Prep Time
0m
Cook Time
15m
Total Time
4
Servings
Easy
Difficulty
Budget $
Cost
Sarah Chen
(Updated )
This strawberry spinach salad is the quintessential spring salad—fresh, vibrant, and bursting with contrasting flavors and textures. The homemade poppy seed dressing ties everything together with sweet-tangy perfection.
This is the kind of recipe that defines American home cooking at its best — straightforward, satisfying, and built on flavors that everyone loves.
Ingredients
- 6 cups baby spinach
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1/2 cup candied pecans
- 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 3 tbsp olive oil + 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (dressing)
- 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp poppy seeds (dressing)
Instructions
- 1
Whisk olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, poppy seeds, and a pinch of salt and pepper until emulsified.
- 2
Place baby spinach in a large salad bowl.
- 3
Scatter sliced strawberries, candied pecans, and crumbled feta over the spinach.
- 4
Drizzle with poppy seed dressing just before serving.
- 5
Toss gently at the table and serve immediately.
Serving Suggestions
Ways to Serve This Dish
Serve with classic coleslaw and cornbread on the side
Pair with fresh-cut fries or roasted potato wedges
Serve as a light main course or alongside grilled protein
Best enjoyed fresh -- prepare the dressing separately if making ahead
Substitutions
Feta cheeseGoat cheese
Creamier and tangier with the same salty contrast
StrawberriesRaspberries or blueberries
Any spring berry works beautifully in this salad
Tips & Storage
Pro Tips
Dress the salad just before serving to keep the spinach from wilting.
Add sliced red onion or avocado for extra flavor and substance.
Dry your greens thoroughly — water on the leaves dilutes the dressing and makes everything soggy.
Dress your salad just before serving. Pre-dressed salads wilt quickly, especially delicate greens.
Storage
Store undressed salad components separately for up to 1 day. Dressing keeps for 1 week.
Reheating
Salads are best enjoyed fresh and do not require reheating. If you have leftover dressed salad, it may be slightly wilted but still edible within a few hours.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (10mg) · 4 servings
Calories245
LowModerateHigh
A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Protein5g
Carbohydrates18g
Fat18g
Fiber210mg
Sugar4g
Sodium12g
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use regular spinach?
- Baby spinach is more tender, but chopped regular spinach works with a slightly more robust texture.
- What are candied pecans?
- Toss pecans with 2 tbsp sugar and 1 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium heat until caramelized.
About Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
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