This Strawberry Spinach Salad is fresh, flavorful, and easy enough for busy weeknights. With sweet berries, creamy cheese, and a simple homemade dressing, it’s a salad the whole family will enjoy. Healthy, vibrant, and ready in minutes — this recipe is a spring staple you’ll make again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Spinach Salad
This Strawberry Spinach Salad is bright, fresh, and packed with flavor — the perfect balance of sweet strawberries, tender baby spinach, creamy feta, and crunchy toasted nuts. Tossed with a quick homemade poppy seed dressing, this vibrant salad is ideal for busy weeknights, spring gatherings, or healthy family meals. Add some grilled chicken and it makes a beautifully light main dish!
- Ready in 15 minutes
- Sweet and savory flavor balance
- Kid-friendly and colorful
- Perfect for spring and summer
- Easy homemade dressing
It comes together quickly and is a beautiful way to get kids excited about eating greens!
Easy Substitutions & Variations:
This salad is flexible and easy to customize:
Cheese Options
- Goat cheese
- Blue cheese
- Shaved Parmesan
- Dairy-free cheese alternative
Nut-Free Option
- Sunflower seeds
- Pumpkin seeds
- Toasted coconut flakes
Add Protein
- Grilled chicken
- Sliced steak
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Chickpeas
Dressing Swaps
- Use balsamic vinegar for deeper sweetness
- Swap honey for maple syrup
- Add a squeeze of fresh lemon for brightness
Make It Kid-Approved
- Omit onion for milder flavor
- Chop strawberries smaller
- Serve dressing on the side
Make-Ahead Tips
- Dressing can be made up to 1 week in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
- Wash and dry spinach ahead of time.
- Slice strawberries just before serving for freshness.
What to Serve with Strawberry Spinach Salad
This salad pairs beautifully with:
- Grilled chicken or salmon
- Pasta dishes
- Quiche or egg bake
- Sandwiches or wraps
- Spring brunch menus
It’s perfect for:
- Easter
- Mother’s Day
- Potlucks
- Baby showers
- Summer barbecues
Strawberry Spinach Salad
This Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing is fresh, sweet, and ready in 15 minutes! Made with strawberries, feta, toasted nuts, and homemade dressing, it’s the perfect healthy family salad.
Servings: 4
Salad
- 5-7 oz baby spinach washed and dried
- 1-1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries
- 1/3 cup ⅓ cup crumbled feta or goat cheese block-style preferred
- 1/2 cup pecans or almonds
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion, optional soaked in cold water 10–15 minutes
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In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast nuts for 2–4 minutes until fragrant, tossing frequently. Let cool and chop coarsely.
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Hull and thinly slice strawberries into bite-sized pieces. If using red onion, soak thin slices in cold water for 10–15 minutes to mellow the flavor, then drain.
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Whisk olive oil, vinegar, honey, poppy seeds, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl or mason jar until emulsified.
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In a large bowl, add baby spinach, sliced strawberries, and drained onion (if using). Drizzle about half the dressing over the salad and gently toss. Add crumbled feta and toasted nuts. Toss lightly to combine.
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Serve immediately with remaining dressing on the side.