Name: Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 4 min
Total time: 9 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3/4 cup 84 g chopped walnuts or pecans; 2 tbsp 24 g brown sugar; 2 tsp 9 g unsalted butter; 1/4 cup 60 mL light olive oil or grapeseed oil; 1/2 tsp 4 g honey (optional); 1/2 tsp 4 g poppy seeds; 1/2 tsp 4 g dijon mustard; Zest of half lemon; Juice of 1 lemon; 1/2 tsp 4 g kosher salt; 8 oz 240 g fresh baby spinach, washed; 8 oz 240 g fresh strawberries, sliced; 5 oz 130 g feta cheese, crumbled; 3/4 cup candied pecans or nuts

There’s something truly magical about the freshness of fruit and greens coming together in one perfect bite. The Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe highlights that magic with juicy strawberries, tender spinach, and a dressing that’s sweet, tangy, and just a little nutty. It’s a gorgeous, light salad that feels special without being complicated.

A wooden bowl filled with a fresh salad sits on a white marbled surface with a light cloth underneath. The salad has a base layer of bright green spinach leaves, topped with red strawberry slices arranged evenly throughout. Small white crumbles of cheese are scattered across the strawberries and spinach. Dark brown pecan halves are also placed evenly on top, adding texture. Around the bowl are whole strawberries, pecans, and a block of white cheese on the side. The light gives a fresh and natural look to the scene. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe more times than I can count because it never disappoints. It’s bright and refreshing yet satisfyingly textured with crunchy nuts and creamy feta. If you want a salad that wows guests or just jazzes up your weeknight dinner, this is it.

Perfect balance of flavors: sweet strawberries, tangy dressing, salty feta, and nutty candied pecans come together seamlessly.
Simple but impressive: You don’t need fancy ingredients or a ton of time to pull it off.
Flexible and easy to customize: I’ll share how you can make it your own with a few cool variations.
Great for any occasion: Whether it’s a barbecue, brunch, or a light dinner, it fits right in.

A wooden bowl filled with a fresh spinach salad that has three layers: at the bottom, large bright green spinach leaves with smooth texture; on top, sliced red strawberries scattered evenly across the leaves; and small white dollops of soft cheese sprinkled throughout; a woman's hand is pouring yellow salad dressing with visible black pepper flakes from a small cup onto the salad; the background is a white marbled texture photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The harmony here comes from combining fresh, vibrant ingredients with that irresistible poppy seed dressing and crunchy candied nuts. Each element brings texture, flavor, or freshness, making the whole salad feel lively and balanced. When shopping, look for ripe, fragrant strawberries and fresh baby spinach that’s crisp but tender.

Flat lay of fresh baby spinach leaves, bright red strawberry slices, a small pile of crumbled white feta cheese, a handful of glossy candied pecans, whole brown walnuts, a small white ceramic bowl of golden olive oil, a small white ceramic bowl with tiny black poppy seeds, a small white ceramic bowl of smooth light brown dijon mustard, fresh lemon zest strands, a halved fresh lemon with visible juice droplets, and coarse kosher salt crystals in a small white ceramic bowl, arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Baby Spinach: The tender leaves soak up the dressing beautifully and provide a mild, fresh base.
Fresh Strawberries: Sweet and juicy, they add brightness and a splash of color that makes the salad pop.
Candied Walnuts or Pecans: These add a crunchy, caramelized sweetness that’s irresistible—homemade is best!
Butter and Brown Sugar: Used to make those candied nuts perfectly caramelized and flavorful.
Light Olive Oil or Grapeseed Oil: Provides a light, smooth body to the dressing without overpowering it.
Honey (optional): A subtle sweetness to balance the tanginess if you prefer.
Poppy Seeds: They add a lovely crunch and a mild nuttiness to the dressing.
Dijon Mustard: Gives the dressing a nice little kick and helps emulsify it.
Lemon Zest and Juice: Fresh citrus brightness lifts every bite and highlights the strawberries.
Kosher Salt: Essential for bringing all the flavors together without overwhelming.
Feta Cheese: Salty and creamy, it pairs so well with the sweetness and nuts, adding a tangy contrast.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

Over time, I’ve played around with this recipe to fit different cravings and diets, and honestly, that’s part of the fun! You can keep it classic or put your own spin on it to match your style or the season.

Variation: I sometimes swap out feta for goat cheese when I want creamier tang or use blue cheese for a bolder kick. If you’re vegan, try dairy-free cheese and maple syrup instead of honey in the dressing.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe

Step 1: Candied Nuts Magic

Start by melting the butter in a skillet over medium heat and stir in your nuts and brown sugar. Keep stirring so the sugar caramelizes evenly — about 3 to 4 minutes. The scent that fills your kitchen at this point is next-level! Then, spread them on parchment to cool in a single layer so they crisp up perfectly. This little step adds so much texture and a sweet crunch that takes the salad to another place.

Step 2: Whisk Up the Poppy Seed Dressing

In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, poppy seeds, Dijon mustard, lemon zest and juice, and kosher salt. Don’t rush this — whisk until it’s fully emulsified and silky smooth. Letting the dressing rest for 10-15 minutes helps all those flavors mellow and come together like old friends.

Step 3: Toss and Serve

Combine the fresh spinach, sliced strawberries, cooled candied nuts, and crumbled feta in a large bowl. Toss gently so nothing gets bruised. Serve with the dressing on the side or drizzle right before eating—you want that freshness and crunch to stay vibrant.

Top Tip

From my experience, nailing the candied nuts and the dressing timing makes all the difference. These tips helped me avoid soggy salads and flat dressing — and I’m betting they’ll help you, too.

Toast Your Nuts First: Give them a quick toast in a dry pan before candying for extra flavor depth.
Dressing Rest Time: Always let your poppy seed dressing sit for at least 10 minutes to develop its full flavor.
Add Dressing Last: Toss the salad with dressing just before serving to keep everything crisp.
Don’t Skip Lemon Zest: It adds a surprising brightness that lemon juice alone can’t provide.

How to Serve Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe

Strawberry Spinach Salad - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love adding a few extra candied nuts on top for crunch, a sprinkle of fresh cracked black pepper, and sometimes a handful of microgreens or fresh mint leaves. They add freshness and make the salad feel truly special.

Side Dishes

This salad pairs beautifully with grilled chicken or salmon for a light, balanced meal. Sometimes I serve it alongside a warm, crusty bread or a cheesy quiche for brunch. It’s pretty versatile!

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to assemble this salad in individual mason jars layered with spinach, strawberries, nuts, and feta, then dressing on top or on the side. Guests love the personal touch, and it makes for a colorful table centerpiece!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers, keep the dressing separate to avoid sogginess. Store the salad components in an airtight container in the fridge, and toss with dressing just before eating the next day. The nuts might lose a bit of crunch but still taste amazing.

Freezing

This salad isn’t freezer-friendly because of the fresh spinach and dressing, so I recommend enjoying it fresh or within a day or two. The candied nuts could freeze separately if you want to prep them in advance.

Reheating

Since this is a fresh salad best served cold or room temperature, reheating isn’t necessary. If you add it as a side with something warm, I just bring the salad components to room temp to take the chill off before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the poppy seed dressing ahead of time?

Absolutely! The dressing actually tastes better after sitting in the fridge for several hours or overnight. Just whisk it again before serving to recombine any settled ingredients.

What nuts work best for the candied topping?

Walnuts and pecans are my go-to for their buttery flavor and crunch. You can use either or a mix depending on what you have. Just make sure to chop them roughly so they coat well with the brown sugar and butter.

Is there a substitute for fresh strawberries?

While fresh strawberries are the best for their juiciness and texture, in a pinch, frozen (thawed and drained) or fresh raspberries can work. Avoid canned fruit as it will be too watery and sweet.

How do I prevent my spinach leaves from getting soggy?

Make sure your spinach is very dry before assembling the salad. Using a salad spinner helps greatly. Also, adding dressing right before serving keeps the leaves crisp instead of limp.

Final Thoughts

This Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe is one of those dishes I reach for when I want something light but memorable. It’s not just a salad; it’s a celebration of fresh flavors and satisfying texture. I’m excited for you to try it and make it your own — trust me, it’ll quickly become a favorite you want to share over and over.