Description
A vibrant, nutritious, and refreshing Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing combining fresh baby spinach, sweet fruit, tangy feta, and crunchy toasted almonds tossed in a homemade or store-bought sweet and tangy poppy seed dressing. Perfect as a quick lunch or a colorful side dish, this salad is easy to prepare, healthy, and adaptable with various variations to suit dietary preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 5 cups fresh baby spinach, rinsed and dried
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1 cup sliced strawberries or alternative fresh fruit (blueberries, mandarin oranges, or apple slices)
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
- 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese (or vegan cheese/avocado for vegan version)
Poppy Seed Dressing (Homemade)
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey (adjustable for sweetness)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the Spinach: Rinse the baby spinach thoroughly under cold water to remove any grit and pat dry with a clean towel or use a salad spinner to dry completely. This ensures your salad remains crisp and fresh.
- Slice the Add-Ins: Thinly slice the red onions and fresh fruit, whether strawberries or your chosen alternative, making sure the pieces are bite-sized for easy mixing and eating.
- Toast the Almonds: Lightly toast the sliced almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring gently until they release their aroma and turn golden brown. This step enhances their nutty flavor and crunch.
- Prepare the Poppy Seed Dressing: If using store-bought dressing, give it a good shake. For homemade, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, sugar, and poppy seeds until smooth and well combined.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the spinach, sliced onions, fruit, toasted almonds, and crumbled feta cheese. Drizzle the poppy seed dressing evenly over the mixture and toss gently to coat all ingredients without bruising the greens.
Notes
- Use fresh, vibrant baby spinach for the best texture and taste.
- Dry spinach thoroughly before dressing to avoid sogginess.
- Toast almonds gently and watch carefully as they can burn quickly.
- Add dressing right before serving to maintain crispness.
- Adjust honey or sugar in the dressing to your preferred sweetness level.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg