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 (prepared from above)

There’s just something about the bright, fresh flavors of spring and summer that makes a salad shine – and that’s exactly what you get with my Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe. It’s the perfect mix of sweet, tangy, and crunchy that keeps me coming back for seconds.

A salad in a wooden bowl with three main layers: the bottom layer is bright green fresh spinach leaves, the middle layer has sliced red strawberries scattered evenly, and the top layer consists of crumbled white cheese and brown toasted pecans spread across the salad. The bowl sits on a white marbled texture with some strawberries, cheese chunks, and pecans scattered around it, creating a fresh and colorful look. 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

This salad quickly became a favorite in my kitchen because it’s simple yet feels special enough to serve to guests without breaking a sweat. Plus, the homemade poppy seed dressing is where the magic happens—sweet but bright with lemon, it ties everything together beautifully.

Refreshing Flavor Combo: Fresh strawberries and baby spinach create a light but flavorful base that’s bursting with natural sweetness.
Crunch Factor: Candied nuts add just the right amount of sweet crunch, making each bite exciting.
Easy Homemade Dressing: The lemon poppy seed dressing is simple to whisk up and way tastier than store-bought versions.
Perfect Balance: Salty feta cheese complements the sweet and tangy dressings and fruit, giving this salad a satisfying finish.

A wooden bowl filled with fresh green spinach leaves forms the base layer, topped with bright red sliced strawberries evenly spread around the bowl. White small chunks of cheese are scattered between the spinach and strawberries, adding a soft texture. Dark brown nuts are sprinkled lightly over the salad, creating a crunchy contrast. A woman's hand holding a small white cup with black speckles pours a golden dressing down toward the center of the bowl. The background features a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this salad plays a unique role in flavor and texture. The sweetness of strawberries and candied nuts perfectly balance the tangy dressing and salty feta, while the spinach provides a fresh, leafy green base that keeps everything light.

Flat lay of fresh baby spinach leaves spread evenly, bright red sliced strawberries arranged neatly, a small pile of crumbled white feta cheese, whole uncracked brown walnuts alongside golden candied pecans, a few bright yellow lemon halves and thin lemon zest strips, a small white ceramic bowl with pale golden light olive oil, a small white bowl filled with tiny black poppy seeds, another small white bowl containing smooth pale yellow Dijon mustard, a third white bowl holding fine light brown granulated brown sugar, a separate small white bowl with a pat of unsalted butter, and a small cluster of coarse kosher salt crystals scattered nearby; all ingredients placed 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

Chopped walnuts or pecans: They’re the foundation for the candied nuts, offering rich nuttiness and crunch.
Brown sugar: Caramelizes with butter to create that irresistible sweet coating on nuts.
Unsalted butter: Adds a smooth richness to the candied nuts without overwhelming sweetness.
Light olive oil or grapeseed oil: A neutral base for the lemon poppy seed dressing that lets other flavors shine.
Honey (optional): A touch of natural sweetness to round out the dressing.
Poppy seeds: Tiny bursts of nuttiness and crunch, classic in poppy seed dressings.
Dijon mustard: Adds a subtle tang and helps emulsify the dressing.
Lemon zest and juice: Bright citrus notes that lift the whole salad.
Kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors.
Fresh baby spinach: Crisp and tender greens that are the perfect salad base.
Fresh strawberries: Sweet and juicy slices that make every bite special.
Feta cheese: Crumbly and salty, it pairs beautifully with sweet ingredients.
Candied pecans or nuts: Adds sweet crunch and texture to each forkful.

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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

One thing I love about this Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. Feel free to swap the nuts for your favorite, or skip the feta if dairy isn’t your thing. It’s super adaptable!

Variation: I once added sliced avocado for creaminess—it was a game changer, especially for a lunch salad.
Diet-friendly: For a vegan twist, replace butter with coconut oil for candied nuts and use a plant-based cheese or omit it altogether.
Seasonal swaps: If strawberries aren’t in season, try this with fresh blueberries or sliced peaches for a summery vibe.

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

Step 1: Candying the nuts to perfection

Start by melting unsalted butter in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Toss in your chopped walnuts or pecans with brown sugar, stirring constantly. You’ll want to watch closely for the sugar to caramelize—about 3 to 4 minutes—until the nuts are shiny and coated. Then, spread them out on parchment to cool so they crisp up nicely. I always press them gently in one layer to speed the cooling and get that perfect snap when you bite.

Step 2: Whisking up the lemon poppy seed dressing

In a bowl, combine the light olive oil, poppy seeds, Dijon mustard, lemon zest, lemon juice, kosher salt, and a drizzle of honey if you like it a touch sweeter. Whisk everything vigorously until the dressing emulsifies and thickens slightly. Let it rest for 5 to 15 minutes at room temperature so the flavors meld—this is a small step that makes a big difference in taste.

Step 3: Tossing the salad gently

In your largest salad bowl, gently toss together the baby spinach, sliced strawberries, chilled candied nuts, and crumbled feta cheese. The key is to combine everything without bruising the tender ingredients. Keep the dressing on the side and only dress just before serving to keep the spinach crisp and fresh.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that take this Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe to the next level. These simple tips will save you time and help you avoid common pitfalls:

Use fresh ingredients: Nothing beats fresh, ripe strawberries and crisp baby spinach—they make all the difference in flavor and texture.
Don’t overdress: Always add dressing sparingly, toss gently, and add more as needed. Too much can wilt the spinach quickly.
Cool candied nuts quickly: Spreading the nuts on parchment immediately helps them crisp up fast and prevents them from sticking together.
Rest your dressing: Allowing the dressing to sit lets the fibrous lemon zest and poppy seeds infuse the oil, yielding a more vibrant taste.

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 just before serving for some crunch, and sometimes a sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper to balance the sweetness. A few fresh mint leaves make a pretty and refreshing garnish as well.

Side Dishes

This strawberry spinach salad shines alongside grilled chicken, roasted salmon, or even a simple quiche. It also works beautifully as a colorful side to your Sunday brunch spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like layering the salad in clear glass bowls to show off the vibrant reds and greens, or serving it in individual cups as a fun appetizer. You can also make it in a big mason jar and take it on the go—it stays fresh if you keep the dressing separate.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers, keep the undressed salad components stored separately in an airtight container in the fridge. The candied nuts will stay crunchy for 2-3 days when stored on parchment paper inside the container.

Freezing

I don’t recommend freezing this salad because fresh greens and strawberries get soggy and lose their texture. The dressing also doesn’t freeze well.

Reheating

This salad is best served fresh, so I avoid reheating. Leftovers can be refreshed by adding a squeeze of lemon juice before serving, but it’s never quite the same as freshly tossed.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the candied nuts ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the candied nuts a day or two in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature and add them to your salad just before serving to keep their crispness.

What should I do if I don’t have poppy seeds?

If you don’t have poppy seeds, you can substitute with sesame seeds or leave them out altogether. The dressing will still be delicious thanks to the lemon and mustard components.

Can I use dried strawberries instead of fresh?

I recommend using fresh strawberries for this salad. Dried strawberries tend to be too chewy and overly sweet, which changes the texture and flavor balance that makes this salad so fresh and bright.

How long does the poppy seed dressing keep?

The lemon poppy seed dressing is best used within 3-4 days if stored in a sealed jar in the refrigerator. Shake or whisk it well before using as it may separate over time.

Final Thoughts

This Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe has become my go-to when I want a salad that feels fresh, special, and easy to whip up in minutes. I love sharing it with friends, and it never fails to impress—even the pickiest eaters! I really hope you enjoy making it as much as I do—it’s a bright, joyful dish that keeps the salad game exciting.