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    Home » Recipes » Salad Recipes

    Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

    Jul 5, 2019 | by Jennifer | Last Updated: Jun 4, 2021

    Jump to Recipe

    A simple, satisfying salad, with baby spinach, strawberries, mandarin oranges, almonds and goat cheese and with a homemade poppy seed dressing.

    strawberry spinach salad on white plate

    Truth be told, I'm not a huge salad person. Mostly I eat them because I know I should, rather than because I really enjoy them. Except this salad. I love this Strawberry Spinach Salad! And while there's nothing earth shaking here, I wanted to share it for anyone else who might be struggling to find a salad to really enjoy.

    I don't know why I love this salad exactly. I suspect it has something to do with the fruit instead of vegetables. And then there's goat cheese, that makes everything better in my books. And finally, I'm pretty sure it's about the baby spinach. When it comes to greens, I'll always take greens like spinach instead of lettuce.

    And I certainly don't want to forget the poppy seed dressing. The homemade poppy seed dressing is made without any mayo or other creamy additions. It's simply oil, vinegar, some seasoning and a bit of sugar, that's emulsified into a creamy-like concoction. Completely satisfying without the need for cream.

    Since it's field strawberry season, there's no better time than now to try this simple and satisfying salad.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Cook's Notes
    • Other salads you might also like ...
    • Recipe
    • Save or share this recipe
    • Comments, Questions and Reviews

    Ingredient Notes

    Baby Spinach: I love baby spinach, but any "baby" green would work here, such as baby kale.

    Strawberries: Any fresh strawberries work well, even grocery-store ones.

    Mandarin Oranges: Look for juice-packed mandarin orange segments, for the healthiest option. Mandarins packed in light syrup are also fine, as are, of course, fresh orange segments.

    Goat Cheese: I love Goat cheese, but you could also substitute crumbled feta cheese, if you prefer.

    Sliced Almonds: Sliced almonds work perfectly in this salad, but slivered almonds would also be fine. You can, of course, substitute any nut, such as pecans or walnuts, if you like.

    Red Onion: As noted, I don't always use red onion in this salad, so treat it as optional. You can also use a bit of yellow onion, if you like.

    Vegetable Oil: Any neutral-tasting oil is fine here, such as canola or sunflower. I don't love olive oil on this salad, as I find it overpowers the delicate taste of the dressing.

    White Vinegar: This is just regular, distilled white vinegar, though you could use white wine vinegar, if you like.

    Cider Vinegar: The little bit of cider vinegar adds nice flavour, but if you don't have any on hand, simply add 1 more tablespoon of white vinegar.

    Sugar: You'll want to tweak the amount of sugar to your taste. Poppy seed dressing is usually a little sweet, but if you find it too sweet, simply reduce to taste. You could also substitute cane sugar, in the same amount, or honey, using less.

    Poppy Seeds: Yes, poppy seeds can go rancid, so check your poppy seeds before using and buy some fresh, if needed. I find 1 Tbsp is enough, but add more if you like.

    Strawberry Spinach Salad with Homemade Poppy Seed Dressing

    Cook's Notes

    I never really measure any of the actual salad ingredients. I just throw some spinach in a bowl and top with what seems a decent amount of fruit etc. Consider the salad ingredient quantities approximate and adjust as seems reasonable or to your taste :)

    I don't always put red onion in this salad. I find it works best in the salad when I'm having it as a side salad for dinner. When I have this salad for lunch, straight up, I often skip the red onion.

    The poppy seed dressing recipe will make much more than you need for one salad. I like to have extra and it's just easier to make in a larger batch. That said, you can halve the recipe if you don't think you need extra.

    Store the salad dressing in a jar with a nice tight lid (mason jar, works best). The oil will separate from the dressing as it sits in the fridge. Keeping it in a jar, it's super easy to shake it up and bring it all back together before using.

    You don't need a food processor or blender to make the dressing, but it does help. If you don't have either, simply add the oil to the rest of the ingredients slowly while whisking vigorously! You may wish to grate the onion if not using a processor, as well, so it is not chunky in the dressing.

    Top Tip! Save the juice from the mandarin oranges and use it for making flavoured water or to sweeten your iced tea. You can also mix it with other fruit juices, for some extra flavour.

    Strawberry Spinach Salad with Homemade Poppy Seed Dressing

    Other salads you might also like ...

    Kale and Apple Salad
    Fall Pear Chopped Salad
    Greek Panzanella Salad

    Recipe

    spinach strawberry salad in white bowl with fork

    Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

    Simple spinach salad with fresh strawberries, canned mandarin oranges, sliced almonds and goat cheese, all with a homemade poppy seed dressing.
    Author: Jennifer
    5 stars from 8 ratings
    Print it Pin it + Collection Go to Collections Share by Email
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Total Time 10 mins
    Course Salad
    Servings 3 servings

    Ingredients
     

    Salad:

    • 4 cups baby spinach
    • 5 oz mandarin orange segments, canned, drained, about 1/2 small can
    • 6 medium strawberries, halved
    • 1/4 cup sliced almonds
    • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
    • 1/3 cup Goat cheese, crumbled

    Poppy Seed Dressing:

    • 5 Tbsp white vinegar
    • 1 Tbsp cider vinegar
    • 2 1/2 Tbsp white granulated sugar, or 1 Tbsp honey
    • 3/4 tsp salt
    • 1/8 tsp dried mustard powder
    • 1/4 cup onion, finely diced
    • 1 cup vegetable oil, or other neutral tasting oil
    • 1 Tbsp poppy seeds
    Prevent screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • To make the Poppy Seed Dressing: In a food processor or blender, add the white and cider vinegars, sugar, salt, mustard powder and onion. Process or blend for 30-45 seconds, or until pureed. With the food processor or blender running on high speed, very slowly start adding the oil, in a very slow, steady stream, until all the oil is added. Add the poppy seeds and blend briefly to combine. Use dressing immediately or put in a jar with a lid and refrigerate until needed. *Note: Dressing will separate as it sits in the fridge. Just shake it in the jar to mix it back up again before using.
    • For the salad: Add the baby spinach to a bowl. Add the strawberries, mandarin oranges, sliced almonds and red onion, if using. Toss to combine. Top with crumbled goat cheese, then drizzle with poppy seed dressing, to taste.

    Notes

    Be sure to read the “Ingredient and Cook's Notes" included with this recipe’s post, where I share more detailed tips, variations and substitution suggestions for this recipe!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 209kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 129mg | Potassium: 402mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 4630IU | Vitamin C: 42.3mg | Calcium: 106mg | Iron: 2.1mg

    Nutritional information provided for general guidance only and should not be relied upon to make personal health decisions.

    Course Salad
    Cuisine American, Canadian
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    Meet the Author:
    Hi! I'm Jennifer, a home-cook of many years and a lifelong seeker of delicious food! I'm an equal opportunity eater. I enjoy eating all the foods!

    I love to share the classic recipes that I have enjoyed for years, as well as newer discoveries, that have become fast favourites.
    More about me here ...


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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mary says

      May 15, 2022 at 5:02 pm

      Hi Jennifer, Would you please make some other suggestions for cheese in this salad?
      I have tried many varieties of goat cheese & feta, but they have a disagreeable taste to me.
      Thank you. Mary

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        May 15, 2022 at 7:43 pm

        Hi Mary, I think if you haven't enjoyed either feta or goat, I can't really think of a cheese that would complement these flavours very well. I'd suggest just omitting the cheese here. There's still plenty of flavour with the fruit and poppy seed dressing.

        Reply
        • Mary says

          May 16, 2022 at 10:57 am

          Thank you for your prompt reply! I often refer to your blog for menu inspiration when having friends over….later this week this salad! I get many a compliment from using your recipes Jennifer, thank you for sharing them🙂 Mary

          Reply
          • Jennifer says

            May 16, 2022 at 11:10 am

            Thanks Mary :)

            Reply
    2. Dawn Cross says

      July 10, 2019 at 1:33 am

      5 stars
      This salad was delish! I used red onion in the dressing, so it was a lovely pink colour. Big hit at our table!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        July 10, 2019 at 9:22 am

        So glad you enjoyed it and love the pink dressing idea :)

        Reply
    3. Anne says

      July 08, 2019 at 1:01 pm

      Made it last night for dinner. A great light and delightful salad. I've had it before, a long time ago with candied pecans. Didn't bother with them and did the slivered almonds, toasted. Wow what a lovely addition. Thanks for reminding me of what I'd been missing!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        July 08, 2019 at 1:07 pm

        Thanks Anne :) So glad you found it again!

        Reply
    4. [email protected] says

      July 08, 2019 at 11:48 am

      5 stars
      This is the prettiest summer salad! And I love the addition of the mandarin oranges! So fresh and bright!!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        July 08, 2019 at 11:59 am

        Thanks so much, Annie :)

        Reply
    5. Haylie / Our Balanced Bowl says

      July 08, 2019 at 9:34 am

      5 stars
      Jennifer, this salad just screams Summer!! I love the fresh fruit and that poppyseed dressing sounds SO refreshing and delicious!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        July 08, 2019 at 10:57 am

        Thanks so much, Haylie :)

        Reply
    6. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

      July 08, 2019 at 8:45 am

      5 stars
      Love salads, especially this time of year! I have one coming up later this week is a poppy seed dressing..though mine is a little different. Wish this was my lunch today :) ! So fresh and flavourful!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        July 08, 2019 at 10:57 am

        Thanks so much, Dawn :)

        Reply
    7. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

      July 06, 2019 at 10:27 pm

      5 stars
      Such a beautiful summery salad Jennifer! Love the lemon poppyseed dressing. Nice and light!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        July 07, 2019 at 11:30 am

        Thanks so much, Mary Ann!

        Reply
    8. Sarah says

      July 06, 2019 at 6:30 pm

      5 stars
      I made this for our dinner tonight (topped it with sliced grilled chicken breast) and it was delicious! The dressing is so good I could practically drink it straight from the Mason jar! ?

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        July 06, 2019 at 7:43 pm

        So glad you enjoyed it, Sarah :) Thanks so much!

        Reply
    9. Tricia says

      July 06, 2019 at 7:44 am

      5 stars
      I love the addition of mandarin oranges to this salad Jennifer. Such a great combination of flavors and textures. I could eat this everyday!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        July 06, 2019 at 10:41 am

        Thanks Tricia! I enjoy this salad regularly myself :)

        Reply
    10. Milena says

      July 05, 2019 at 10:30 am

      5 stars
      You've sold me on this salad - I love the medley of flavors and the dressing sounds absolutely delicious! Summer perfection.

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        July 06, 2019 at 10:40 am

        Thanks so much, Milena :)

        Reply

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