Why Make This Recipe

Strawberry spinach salad is a perfect dish for all occasions. Its colorful mix of fresh ingredients creates an inviting presentation on your table. The blend of sweet strawberries, crunchy candied pecans, and creamy feta cheese offers a combination of flavors that delight your taste buds. The homemade poppy seed dressing adds a tangy twist that enhances the freshness of the salad, making it a favorite for picnics, barbecues, or even as a side dish for family dinners. Moreover, this salad is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients, making it a healthy choice.

How to Make Best Strawberry Spinach Salad With Candied Pecans & Poppy Seed Dressing

Creating the best strawberry spinach salad requires just a few key steps. Below, you will find detailed instructions to ensure your salad turns out perfectly.

Ingredients:

5-6 ounces baby spinach
1 pound fresh strawberries
1 cup pecan halves
1 tablespoon butter or neutral oil
2 tablespoons sugar
Pinch of salt
½ cup neutral oil (like canola or vegetable)
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons granulated sugar (or preferred sweetener)
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon black pepper
¼ of a small red onion (optional)
½ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)

Directions:

Step 1: Prepare Your Candied Pecans

To start, grab a non-stick skillet and place it over medium-low heat. Add 1 tablespoon of butter or neutral oil to the skillet. Once the butter melts, sprinkle in 2 tablespoons of sugar and a pinch of salt. Stir well to combine. After the sugar has melted, carefully add 1 cup of pecan halves to the skillet. Keep stirring constantly for about 3-5 minutes. You want the pecans to be coated with the caramelized sugar. Once coated, immediately spread the pecans onto a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer to cool completely. This step adds a sweet crunch to your salad.

Step 2: Whisk Up the Poppy Seed Dressing

In a medium bowl, gather your dressing ingredients. Pour in ½ cup of neutral oil, followed by ¼ cup apple cider vinegar. Add 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon of poppy seeds, and 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard next. For seasoning, mix in ½ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ⅛ teaspoon black pepper. Use a whisk to combine all the ingredients thoroughly. Whisk until the dressing becomes well combined and slightly emulsified. This dressing is key to enhancing the flavors of your salad, so take your time with this step.

Step 3: Prepare Your Salad Components

Now it’s time to assemble your salad. Start by washing and thoroughly drying about 5-6 ounces of baby spinach. You want the leaves crisp and fresh. Next, take 1 pound of fresh strawberries. Hull them and slice them into bite-sized pieces. If you choose to include it, thinly slice about ¼ of a small red onion. Finally, if you like, crumble about ½ cup of feta cheese. These ingredients will bring texture and flavors together beautifully.

Step 4: Combine Everything

In a large salad bowl, combine your baby spinach, sliced strawberries, and the optional red onion. Pour your homemade poppy seed dressing over the salad, and gently toss everything together using salad tongs. Be careful not to bruise the spinach leaves when mixing. Add the candied pecans right before serving to maintain their crunch. If you are using feta cheese, sprinkle it generously over the top for that creamy finish.

How to Serve Best Strawberry Spinach Salad

Serving this salad is simple and can be done in a few ways. You may choose to serve it family-style in a large bowl, allowing everyone to take their portion. Alternatively, you can plate individual servings for a more upscale presentation. For gatherings, consider adding extra candied pecans and feta cheese on top for a beautiful display when placed on the table. This salad is best enjoyed fresh, so serve it immediately after tossing to maintain the crispness of the spinach and the crunch of the pecans.

How to Store Best Strawberry Spinach Salad

If you need to prepare this salad in advance, storing it requires some care to keep the ingredients fresh. Keep the spinach, strawberries, diced onion, and dressing stored separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. This will prevent the spinach from wilting. The candied pecans can also be stored in a separate container at room temperature, where they will stay crunchy. When you are ready to serve, combine everything just before enjoying your salad. Avoid dressing it too early to retain the best texture and flavor.

Tips to Make Best Strawberry Spinach Salad

Choose Fresh Ingredients: Always opt for high-quality spinach and ripe strawberries, as freshness is key to good flavor and texture.
Make Candied Pecans in Batches: If you’re planning to enjoy this salad regularly, prepare a larger batch of candied pecans. Store them in an airtight container; they can be used in other salads or as a snack.
Adjust the Sweetness: Depending on your taste, feel free to adjust the amount of sugar in the dressing. Natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup can also be good substitutes.
Add Other Toppings: You can customize your salad by adding other ingredients such as grilled chicken, avocado, or even quinoa for a heartier meal.

Variation

If you want to experiment, consider adding other fruits like blueberries or mandarin oranges to the salad. You can also try different nuts like walnuts or almonds if you prefer something other than pecans. For a twist, substitute feta cheese with goat cheese, which will introduce a tangy flavor that complements the strawberries beautifully.

FAQs

1. Can I make this salad vegan?
Yes! You can make this salad vegan by skipping the feta cheese or using a plant-based cheese alternative. Additionally, make sure to choose a vegan sweetener for the dressing.

2. How long do leftover ingredients last in the fridge?
If stored properly, the spinach can last for about 1-2 days in the fridge, while the strawberries should ideally be eaten within 1-2 days after cutting. The dressing can last about a week in the refrigerator if kept in a sealed container.

3. Can I use frozen strawberries for this recipe?
While fresh strawberries provide the best flavor and texture, you can use frozen strawberries if necessary. Just make sure to thaw them beforehand and drain any excess liquid before adding them to the salad.

These tips and insights will help you create the best strawberry spinach salad. Enjoy making and sharing this delightful dish with your friends and family!

Strawberry Spinach Salad with Candied Pecans & Poppy Seed Dressing

Author: everly
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

This colorful salad combines fresh strawberries, crunchy candied pecans, and creamy feta cheese with a tangy homemade poppy seed dressing, perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

5–6 ounces baby spinach
1 pound fresh strawberries
1 cup pecan halves
1 tablespoon butter or neutral oil
2 tablespoons sugar
Pinch of salt
½ cup neutral oil (like canola or vegetable)
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons granulated sugar (or preferred sweetener)
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon black pepper
¼ of a small red onion (optional)
½ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)

Instructions

Prepare your candied pecans: In a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter or neutral oil. Add 2 tablespoons of sugar and a pinch of salt, stirring until the sugar melts. Add 1 cup of pecan halves and stir constantly for about 3-5 minutes. Spread the pecans on a parchment-lined baking sheet to cool.
Whisk up the poppy seed dressing: In a medium bowl, combine ½ cup of neutral oil, ¼ cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon of poppy seeds, 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ⅛ teaspoon black pepper. Whisk until well combined.
Prepare your salad components: Wash and dry the baby spinach. Hull and slice the strawberries into bite-sized pieces. Thinly slice the optional red onion and crumble the optional feta cheese.
Combine everything: In a large salad bowl, mix the baby spinach, sliced strawberries, and optional red onion. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss. Add the candied pecans and sprinkle feta cheese on top right before serving.

Notes

For the best flavor and texture, serve the salad immediately after assembling. Store ingredients separately if preparing in advance.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: No Cook
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 280
Sugar: 10g
Sodium: 200mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 15g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 22g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 10mg

Keywords: strawberry salad, spinach salad, salad recipe, healthy salad, summer salad