Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
In short: Baby spinach, ripe strawberries, red onion and toasted almonds with a sweet-tart poppy seed dressing. A no-cook summer salad for sharing. It takes about 19 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 4 min
- Total
- 19 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 210 kcal
This is a salad for the weeks when strawberries are ripe and cheap. Sweet berries sit against baby spinach, sharp red onion and toasted almonds, with a light poppy seed dressing sweetened with maple syrup. Nothing is cooked except the nuts, and it travels well to picnics if you pack the dressing in a separate jar. Allow about 20 minutes from start to finish.
Instructions
- Toast the almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often, until golden. Pour them onto a plate to cool.
- Put the olive oil, vinegar, maple syrup, mustard, poppy seeds and salt in a jar. Close the lid and shake hard for 20 seconds until the dressing thickens slightly.
- Soak the sliced red onion in cold water for 5 minutes to soften its bite, then drain and pat dry.
- Put the spinach in a large bowl and add half of the dressing. Toss gently to coat the leaves.
- Add the strawberries, onion and almonds. Drizzle over the remaining dressing, toss once more and serve right away.
Tips
- Slice the strawberries just before assembling. If the salad is going to a picnic, pack the dressing separately so the leaves stay crisp.
- Sliced avocado or toasted pecans make good additions. Sunflower seeds can replace the almonds for a nut-free salad.
Questions and answers
Can I make strawberry spinach salad ahead?
Make the dressing and toast the almonds up to 2 days ahead, and wash and dry the spinach a day ahead. Combine everything just before serving.
What other fruit works in this salad?
Blueberries, raspberries, sliced peaches or orange segments all suit the dressing. Use whatever is ripe and in season.
Can I use a different dressing?
A balsamic vinaigrette is a good swap. Whisk 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar with 3 tablespoons olive oil, a teaspoon of mustard and a pinch of salt.
How long does it take to make Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing?
About 19 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 4 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing?
About 210 kcal per serving, with 4 g of protein, 14 g of carbohydrates and 16 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 210 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 14 g |
| Fat | 16 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 7 g |
| Sodium | 190 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
