Strawberry Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

This delicious spring and summer salad combines fresh strawberries, crisp smoked bacon, sweet red onions, salty feta cheese, and crunchy walnuts with an easy-to-make six-ingredient creamy poppy seed dressing.

Course Salad

Cuisine Southern

Keyword how to make a strawberry spinach salad, spinach salad with strawberries, spinach strawberry salad, strawberry spinach salad recipe

Prep Time 20

Servings servings

Calories 423kcal

Author Beth Pierce

Ingredients

Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

2 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon grated onion
1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1/3 cup plus one tablespoon mayonnaise
Salt and pepper to taste

Strawberry Spinach Salad Ingredients

12 ounces mixed salad greens including baby spinach romaine and spring greens
1/4 large red onion very thinly sliced
1/2 lb. strawberries sliced
2/3 cup chopped walnuts
3/4 cup feta cheese
4 slices crispy cooked bacon crumbled

Instructions

In a medium bowl, whisk vinegar, sugar, grated onion, Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, and mayonnaise. You can also add all the ingredients to a mason jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake it to combine. Add salt and pepper to taste.
In a large wide bowl, spread greens and top with red onion, strawberries, walnuts, feta cheese, and bacon.
Drizzle dressing over the top and toss. Serve promptly.

Notes

Use any mixture of spinach, romaine, and spring greens, as they all work well and taste delicious.
This salad works with any fresh berries like blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, mandarin oranges, apples, or pears.
If more protein is desired, add grilled chicken or grilled shrimp.
Slice your red onions into very thin slices using a serrated knife.
If you don't like walnuts, try other nuts like almonds or pecans.
For optimal flavor, use the brightest sweetest organic strawberries you can get your hands on as they are the star of the show.
Don't toss the salad until you are ready to serve, so everything stays crisp and fresh.
If feta is not your thing, then try very small cubes of whole-milk mozzarella, blue cheese, or crumbly goat cheese.
For more texture, add sunflower seeds or quinoa.
The dressing can be prepared up to 5 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

Nutrition