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This Strawberry Spinach Salad is an easy, stunning salad fit for Spring. Bursting with fresh, sweet strawberries and tender spinach, this simple salad is elevated with toasted almonds, mild shallots, salty feta cheese, and a creamy, dreamy poppy seed dressing.
Looking for more seasonal strawberry recipes? Don't miss Strawberry Cheesecake Pancakes, Strawberry Bread, Strawberry Crumb Bars, and Strawberry Chia Jam.
Kristen's Keys for Strawberry Spinach Salad
I've made (and eaten) more strawberry salads than I can count. Some winners, some forgettable. This version pulls the best details together for a salad that's fresh, balanced, and actually worth making again. Here's what matters:
- Start with baby spinach. It is tender and mild in flavor, without the bitterness larger spinach leaves can have.
- Choose ripe strawberries. Look for deep red, fragrant berries. This is a good sign they will be juicy and sweet.
- Opt for homemade dressing. It takes just minutes to make the poppy seed dressing and and tastes far better than bottled.
- Toast the nuts. A few minutes in a dry skillet over medium heat wakes up their flavor.
- Assemble the salad right before serving. While you can prep the dressing and toast the nuts in advance, wait to slice the strawberries and assemble the salad until right before serving, so everything stays fresh and vibrant.
How to Make Strawberry Spinach Salad
Whisk the dressing, toast the nuts, slice the berries and shallots, and toss together. Easy-peasy!
Step One: Prepare Dressing
Whisk or blend the yogurt, mustard, honey, grated shallot, vinegar, poppy seeds, and salt together until combined. I find that a blender or small food processor makes quick work and yields the best creamy texture.
Proceed with preparing the salad OR cover and chill the dressing until ready to assemble the salad.
Step Two: Toast Nuts
Add the nuts to a dry skillet and toast over medium heat for just 2-3 minutes, tossing frequently. You will know they are done when they smell fragrant and are just lightly golden. It doesn't take long, so don't leave the nuts unattended.
Step Three: Assemble and Serve
To assemble the salad, toss the spinach with a small amount of salad dressing. Add the sliced shallots, strawberries, feta, and toasted nuts to the greens, gently toss to combine.
Serve immediately with additional dressing on the side.
Recipe Modifications
- Change out the Dressing. If you don't care for poppy seed dressing, raspberry dressing or balsamic vinaigrette also complement the flavors in the strawberry spinach salad.
- Nuts are optional. While adding sliced almonds or chopped walnuts or pecans add a nice texture to the salad, feel free to omit them if needed.
- No Feta? Shaved parmesan cheese works well to lend a salty bite to the salad, while goat cheese adds a nice creamy finish. Alternatively, omit the cheese altogether.
Serving Suggestions
This Strawberry Spinach Salad is suitable to just about ANY occasion. It is perfect for brunch, lunch, a weeknight dinner, an even worthy of a holiday meal.
- For a Brunch: One of my favorites for Easter Brunch, alongside Classic Quiche, Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole, French Toast Casserole, Quiche Lorraine, and/or Sour Cream Coffee Cake.
- For a Light Dinner: Pair it with Pasta Primavera or Easy Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu for a light dinner perfect for spring.
- Date-Night Dinner: Pair with a ribeye steak and twice-baked potato for a meal worthy of a date-night in!
- Easter Dinner:Serve with Pineapple Glazed Ham, Instant Pot Mac and Cheese, and Air Fryer Asparagus for a fabulous Easter Dinner.
More Favorite Salad Recipes
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Strawberry Spinach Salad
Video
Ingredients
Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing
- ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup Champagne vinegar, or white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 2 teaspoons shallot, grated (see note)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Strawberry Spinach Salad
- 10 ounces baby spinach
- 1 cup ripe strawberries, hulled, thinly sliced
- 1 small shallot, thinly sliced (see note)
- ¼ cup sliced almonds, optional
- ⅓ cup feta cheese, crumbled
Instructions
Poppy Seed Dressing
- In a small blender or food processor, blend ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt, ¼ cup Champagne vinegar, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon poppy seeds, 2 teaspoons shallot, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, and ½ teaspoon kosher salt together until well combined. Alternatively, whisk the components together in a small mixing bowl. Cover and chill until ready to serve.
Strawberry Spinach Salad
- Place ¼ cup sliced almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-4 minutes, tossing every 30 seconds. When you smell the nuts, remove them from the heat immediately, so you do not burn the nuts.
- In a large mixing bowl, toss the baby spinach with ¼ cup of the dressing. Top with sliced strawberries, crumbled feta, and toasted nuts, and gently toss to combine.
- Serve immediately with the remaining dressing on the side.
Notes
- For the Dressing: Blend as directed and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
- For the Nuts: Toast the nuts as directed and then let them cool completely. Place the toasted nuts into an airtight container and store them at room temperature.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This post was originally published in 2018 and updated in 2026.
I used apple cider vinegar because I had it on hand. Such a delicious and refreshing salad, and I love the crunch from the almonds!
I have all ingredients at home. I will make this salad tomorrow for lunch. Can't wait. Looks amazing.
Love this simple spring salad, the sliced almonds give it such wonderful texture!
Love this recipe! Perfect for summer
The salad is great, but what really makes this recipe is the poppyseed dressing. I made a double batch to serve on all my lunch salads this week.
I am so glad you enjoy the dressing so much Jessica!
Strawberry and spinach are always so great together in a salad! That poppy seed dressing also sounds like just what this needs to make it perfect!
Thanks Tisha! that dressing makes this salad pop!
Such a refreshing salad. Love it.