Strawberry spinach salad with poppyseed dressing

I'm so excited to share this easy strawberry spinach salad with you! This has become one of my go-to recipes for weeknight dinners when I want something fresh, light, and honestly? Something I can make without breaking a sweat in the kitchen.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Strawberry Spinach Salad
• Easy Strawberry Spinach Salad Ingredients
• How to Make This Strawberry Spinach Salad
• Storage and Keeping Your Salad Fresh
• Tips and Variations for Your Strawberry Spinach Salad
• Frequently Asked Questions About Strawberry Spinach Salad
• Recipes You May Like
• Final Thoughts on This Strawberry Spinach Salad
• Strawberry Spinach Salad

Sarah asks for this salad at least twice a month, and I love that it comes together in just 10 minutes. The combination of tender baby spinach, sweet fresh strawberries, and this creamy poppyseed dressing is absolutely unbeatable. Plus, the crunchy almonds and tangy feta add the perfect texture contrast. It's simple, uses ingredients I always have on hand, and tastes way more impressive than the five minutes it takes to put it together.

If you're looking for other fresh salad options, I'd also recommend trying my high protein summer salad with grilled chicken, which works beautifully if you want to add some heartier protein to this base.

Why You'll Love This Strawberry Spinach Salad

Let me tell you why this recipe has become such a staple in our house:

• Takes just 10 minutes from start to finish – No complicated prep work or long cooking times
• Uses only 6 basic ingredients – Plus the optional almonds and feta, everything is probably already in your kitchen
• The dressing is absolutely delicious – Sweet, creamy, and tangy all at once with a subtle poppy seed crunch
• It's fresh and healthy – Loaded with spinach, vitamin C from strawberries, and actually feels nourishing
• Perfect for so many occasions – Works for weeknight side dishes, weekend lunches, or even light summer dinners
• Kid-approved – Alex was skeptical at first, but now he actually requests the "fancy salad" when friends come over

Easy Strawberry Spinach Salad Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make this beautiful salad:

For the Poppyseed Dressing:

• ¾ cup mayonnaise (I use Duke's, which tastes so much better than generic brands)
• ¼ cup honey (scant – about 3.5 tablespoons)
• 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
• Pinch of salt to taste (optional)

For the Salad:

• 10 ounces baby spinach (fresh, not frozen)
• 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 4 ounces sliced almonds (optional, but honestly they add the best texture)

Pro tip: I always buy pre-sliced almonds because it saves time, and when you're a busy mom, those few minutes matter. The quality difference is honestly minimal.

How to Make This Strawberry Spinach Salad

Making this salad is honestly the easiest part of my day. Here's exactly how I do it:

Make the Dressing

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, honey, apple cider vinegar, and poppy seeds. Mix until everything is combined and smooth. The dressing should look creamy and light, with little specks of poppy seeds throughout.

If you taste it and feel like it needs a tiny pinch of salt, go ahead and add it. Honestly, I usually skip the salt because the feta provides plenty of saltiness, but this is entirely up to you and your preference.

This dressing is my favorite part of the salad. It's sweet, tangy, and creamy all at the same time. Donald says it reminds him of a fancy restaurant dressing, but it literally takes two minutes to whisk together.

Assemble the Salad

This is where you get to have fun with it. I add half the baby spinach to a large salad bowl first. Top that with half of your sliced strawberries, then sprinkle on half of the feta and almonds if you're using them.

Then add the remaining spinach on top, followed by the rest of your strawberries, feta, and almonds. Layering it this way keeps everything from getting all mixed together too soon, which I've found helps the textures stay distinct.

Dress and Serve

Pour the dressing over each serving right before eating, or if you're serving everyone at once, you can toss the entire salad together with the dressing. I usually do individual servings because my family likes different amounts of dressing, and some people (looking at you, Alex) like way more than others.

The beauty of this salad is that it doesn't get soggy quickly, so if you're making it for a party and serving it over time, you can safely dress it a bit ahead without worrying too much.

Storage and Keeping Your Salad Fresh

Here's what I've learned about storing this salad from actually making it multiple times a week:

The poppyseed dressing can be made up to a week ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This honestly saves me so much time on busy days. I'll make a batch on Sunday and use it throughout the week for different salads.

The salad components (spinach, strawberries, almonds, and feta) should be kept separate and assembled right before serving. If you've got spinach that's already getting a little tired, you can wash and dry it well, then store it in a paper towel-lined container to keep it fresher longer.

Fresh strawberries stay best when stored unwashed in the refrigerator until you're ready to use them. I typically slice them right before assembling the salad to keep them from getting watery.

The almonds and feta both keep well separately in airtight containers, so assembling this salad component by component is honestly the best approach for freshness.

Tips and Variations for Your Strawberry Spinach Salad

I've made this salad more times than I can count, so here are the best tips I've picked up along the way:

• Make the dressing thinner or thicker based on preference – If you like a lighter dressing, whisk in a tablespoon of water or apple cider vinegar. If you like it richer, add another tablespoon of mayo
• Toast your almonds first for extra flavor – Spread them on a baking sheet and toast at 350 degrees for about 5 minutes. It brings out the nuttiness and honestly makes a difference
• Try different berries – Raspberries, blueberries, or even blackberries work beautifully with this dressing if strawberries aren't in season
• Add protein for a heartier meal – Grilled chicken, hard boiled eggs, or chickpeas all pair wonderfully if you want to make this a full lunch or dinner
• Skip the feta for a lighter version – If feta isn't your thing, goat cheese or even fresh mozzarella works great
• Use this dressing on other salads – Honestly? I've put this on arugula, mixed greens, even roasted vegetable salads. It's that good

Here's the thing about salad dressing – you're in control. If something doesn't taste quite right to you, adjust it. That's what cooking at home is all about.

Frequently Asked Questions About Strawberry Spinach Salad

What other ingredients go well in a strawberry spinach salad?

The combinations are really endless, but some of my favorite additions are candied pecans instead of almonds, goat cheese instead of feta, sunflower seeds for extra crunch, and even red onion if you want a little bite. I've also added grilled chicken when we want something more substantial. The base of spinach and strawberries pairs with almost anything, honestly.

Can I make strawberry spinach salad ahead of time?

You can prep all your components ahead – slice the strawberries, crumble the feta, toast your almonds, and make the dressing all in advance. I'd actually recommend doing this if you're bringing this to a potluck or party. Just keep everything separated in the fridge until you're ready to assemble and serve. The key is not mixing the spinach with the dressing too far ahead because it will wilt.

What's the best dressing for strawberry spinach salad?

I'm obviously partial to this creamy poppyseed dressing, but honestly? A simple vinaigrette with honey and Dijon mustard also works beautifully. The strawberries are sweet enough that you don't need an overly sweet dressing. Some people love a balsamic vinaigrette too. The most important thing is that you like the dressing you're using.

How do you keep strawberry spinach salad fresh and from getting soggy?

The secret is keeping everything separate until the last minute. Assemble your salad components, then dress each serving individually rather than tossing everything together early. If you have to dress it ahead, use just enough dressing to coat everything lightly, and add more at the table if people want it. The spinach might wilt slightly, but that's honestly how I prefer it – a little softer and easier to eat.

Recipes You May Like

Since you're loving this easy strawberry spinach salad, here are some other fresh salad recipes I think you'd really enjoy:

• Watermelon feta mint salad for BBQ – Another light, refreshing summer salad that's perfect for hot days and outdoor gatherings
• Easy pasta salad for parties – A heartier option when you want something more filling that still has that fresh garden feel
• Healthy cucumber tomato salad with protein – A crisp, cool salad that works perfectly alongside grilled meals

Final Thoughts on This Strawberry Spinach Salad

I hope you make this easy strawberry spinach salad soon and enjoy it as much as my family does. It's become such a weeknight staple in our kitchen because it's simple, quick, and genuinely delicious. There's nothing complicated about it – just fresh ingredients that taste amazing together.

The best part? Your kids might actually eat salad without complaining. I know mine do, and that's honestly a win in my book. Let me know how it turns out for you, and save this to Pinterest for those moments when you need a quick, fresh dinner idea.

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