Strawberry Spinach Balsamic Poppy Seed (Printer-friendly)

Fresh strawberries and spinach meet tangy balsamic dressing with crunchy almonds and creamy feta in this vibrant 15-minute salad.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad Components

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→ Balsamic Poppy Seed Dressing

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# How To Make It:

01 - In a large serving bowl, combine the baby spinach, sliced strawberries, red onion rings, crumbled feta cheese, toasted almonds, and sunflower seeds if using. Distribute ingredients evenly for attractive presentation.
02 - In a small mixing bowl or glass jar with tight-fitting lid, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, honey or maple syrup, and Dijon mustard until well combined. While whisking continuously, slowly drizzle in the extra-virgin olive oil to create an emulsified dressing. Stir in the poppy seeds and season generously with salt and pepper to taste.
03 - Immediately before serving, drizzle the balsamic poppy seed dressing over the salad. Use salad tongs to toss gently and evenly coat all ingredients without crushing delicate spinach leaves. Serve at once while spinach remains crisp, adding extra strawberry slices or almonds as garnish if desired.

# Expert Hints:

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  • The sweetness of ripe strawberries balances the tangy balsamic dressing perfectly
  • It comes together in 15 minutes but looks like something from a fancy restaurant
  • The combination of textures, from creamy feta to crunchy almonds, keeps every bite interesting
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  • Never dress the salad more than 15 minutes before serving or the spinach will wilt and lose its appeal
  • The dressing keeps in the fridge for a week but give it a good shake before using because the poppy seeds settle
  • If your strawberries are not perfectly sweet, add an extra teaspoon of honey to the dressing
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  • Invest in a salad spinner to get your spinach truly dry, which makes a huge difference in how well the dressing coats every leaf
  • Taste your strawberries first and adjust the honey in the dressing based on how sweet they are naturally

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