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Fresh Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad Recipe with Easy Poppy Seed Dressing

fresh strawberry avocado spinach salad - featured image
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A light, fresh salad combining baby spinach, ripe strawberries, creamy avocado, and a tangy homemade poppy seed dressing. Perfect for a quick lunch, brunch, or side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups fresh baby spinach (about 180 grams)
  • 2 cups sliced strawberries (about 300 grams)
  • 1 large ripe but firm avocado, peeled and diced
  • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
  • 1/2 cup toasted pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped (about 50 grams)
  • 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese (optional)
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for a healthier twist)
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Carefully wash and dry the baby spinach.
  2. Slice the strawberries into halves or quarters depending on size.
  3. Dice the avocado just before assembling to avoid browning.
  4. Thinly slice the red onion if using.
  5. Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add the pecans or walnuts and stir frequently until fragrant and lightly browned, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
  6. In a small bowl or jar, combine mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk or shake vigorously until smooth and creamy.
  7. In a large mixing bowl, gently combine spinach, strawberries, avocado, and red onion.
  8. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss lightly to coat everything evenly without bruising the avocado or spinach.
  9. Sprinkle toasted nuts and crumbled feta or goat cheese over the top. Give the salad one last gentle toss or leave the toppings on for presentation.
  10. Serve immediately to enjoy the freshness. If prepping ahead, keep the dressing separate and toss just before serving.

Notes

Dry spinach thoroughly to prevent watery dressing. Dice avocado just before assembling and toss gently to avoid browning and bruising. Toast nuts carefully to avoid burning. Dressing can be made 10 minutes ahead for better flavor melding. Start with half the dressing and add more as needed to avoid overdressing.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry salad, avocado salad, spinach salad, poppy seed dressing, healthy salad, quick salad, easy salad recipe, gluten-free salad, vegetarian salad

Find it online: https://emmayum.com/fresh-strawberry-avocado-spinach-salad-recipe-with-easy-poppy-seed-dressing/