Spinach Strawberry Salad

Spinach Strawberry Salad

A bright, crowd-pleasing salad that balances sweet strawberries, tender baby spinach, crunchy toasted pecans, and creamy feta — all tied together with a tangy-sweet poppy seed dressing. Ready in under 15 minutes and elegant enough for company, yet simple enough for a weeknight side.

4 servings · Prep 12 min · Cook 5 min · Total 17 min

American · Salad

Main

  • 6 cup baby spinach washed and dried
  • 1.5 cup fresh strawberries hulled and sliced
  • 0.33 cup pecans roughly chopped
  • 0.33 cup feta cheese crumbled
  • 0.25 cup red onion very thinly sliced

Dressing

  • 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp poppy seeds
  • 0.25 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper

Equipment

  • Stovetop
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Skillet
  • Quart Jar
  • Whisk
  • Plates
  • Spatula
  • Pan
  • Cutting Board
  • Mixing Bowl (4 Quarts)
  • Chef's Knife

Instructions

  1. Place the chopped @[Pecans] in a small dry #[Skillet] over ^[medium heat]. Toast, stirring frequently, for ~[3–5 minutes] until fragrant and lightly golden. Transfer immediately to a plate to cool — they burn quickly.
  2. In a small #[Mixing Bowl] or jar, combine the @[Extra-Virgin Olive Oil], @[Apple Cider Vinegar], @[Honey], @[Dijon Mustard], @[Poppy Seeds], @[Fine Sea Salt], and @[Black Pepper]. Seal and shake vigorously (or whisk) until fully emulsified and smooth. Taste and adjust sweetness or acidity as needed.
  3. Add the @[Baby Spinach] to a large salad bowl. Scatter the sliced @[Strawberries], thinly sliced @[Red Onion], and cooled toasted @[Pecans] over the top. Sprinkle the crumbled @[Feta Cheese] evenly across the salad.
  4. Drizzle the poppy seed dressing over the salad just before serving. Gently toss to coat everything evenly, being careful not to bruise the @[Baby Spinach] or break up the @[Strawberries]. Serve immediately.