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GET IT NOWLong before a wedding, a house, and kids, my husband and I used to visit this little restaurant near our then-apartment and order their strawberry spinach salad (with bun-less burgers!) every single time. I recreated it at home because we don’t get there as often anymore and the restaurant version is no doubt loaded with refined sugar. Crisp spinach, juicy strawberries, creamy goat cheese, and crunchy almonds, and a drizzle of poppy seed salad dressing all combine to make an easy strawberry spinach salad recipe you’ll make on repeat.
Just like mango salad or pear salad, this dish blends rich greens with a burst of fresh, sweet fruit… all with almost no effort at all. This healthy salad is ready in just 10 minutes, with 10 ingredients!
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe
- Fresh spinach, juicy strawberries, tangy goat cheese, and crunchy almonds
- Sweet, creamy dressing
- Simple ingredients
- Ready in just 10 minutes
- Fancy enough for Mother’s Day or Easter, but fast enough for weeknights
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for spinach salad with strawberries, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
Spinach Strawberry Salad:
The base of this strawberry spinach salad recipe uses just 4 fresh, simple staples:
- Spinach – Baby spinach leaves work best for this recipe as they have a milder flavor and are less bitter than mature varieties, but any fresh spinach will work. If you have leftover spinach, use it to make a spinach smoothie.
- Strawberries – Sweet and bright, strawberries are the star of the salad, but you could add other berries such as fresh blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, or even pears. Check out my fruit leather recipe for leftover ideas.
- Goat Cheese – If you don’t like goat cheese, you can use another cheese that crumbles well. Feta cheese will add a sharper flavor to the salad and blue cheese will add a bold and tangy flair.
- Almonds – I used sliced almonds, but you can use any nuts you like. My favorites are walnuts, pecans, or pistachios. For a nut-free option, use sunflower seeds instead.
VARIATION: Add red onion!
This is a common ingredient in strawberry spinach salad recipes. Sometimes I add 1/4 cup of thin red onion slices.
Strawberry Spinach Salad Dressing:
I use my homemade poppy seed dressing recipe and it needs just 5 ingredients (plus salt) to whip up in 5 minutes:
- Mayonnaise – I use homemade avocado oil mayonnaise when I have time to make it, but this is my favorite store-bought brand when I’m in a rush. Either works! You can also use Greek yogurt for a lighter option (it will taste more tangy).
- Olive Oil – This spinach and strawberry salad recipe uses olive oil, but you could also use avocado oil or any oil you like. I try to avoid highly processed seed oils, like vegetable oil, but from a recipe standpoint they would work fine.
- Honey – I usually use sugar-free honey to keep this salad lower in sugar, but regular also works.
- White Vinegar – This helps emulsify the dressing and balances the sweetness. You could also use apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, or lemon juice. If you want more complex flavor, you can also add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard.
- Poppy Seeds – Wouldn’t be poppy seed dressing without them! They add a nice savory and nutty flavor to the dressing.
- Sea Salt – Adjust to taste. Feel free to add black pepper too, if you like.
If you prefer a lighter dressing, this strawberry spinach salad also pairs beautifully with my strawberry vinaigrette.
How To Make Strawberry Spinach Salad
This section shows how to make spinach strawberry salad, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
- Combine the strawberry spinach salad ingredients. Arrange spinach, strawberries, goat cheese, and almonds in a large bowl or on a serving platter.
- Make the dressing. Whisk together the mayonnaise, olive oil, honey (or sugar-free honey), white vinegar, poppy seeds, and sea salt until smooth.
- Combine. Drizzle strawberry spinach salad with poppy seed dressing. Toss and serve.
Storage Instructions
Spinach salad with strawberries can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, with dressing stored separately, or up to 1-2 days with the dressing. You can store the dressing in a jar in the fridge for up to 1 week, and just give it a shake before using.
If you want to meal prep, store the spinach, sliced strawberries, crumbled goat cheese, sliced almonds, and prepared dressing separately. Toss together right before serving.
What To Serve With Strawberry Spinach Salad
The fresh flavors of this strawberry and spinach salad work well as a side dish with other summery meals! Here are some ideas to serve with it:
- Chicken – Slice air fryer chicken breast and add directly to the salad for a full meal. You can also pair this simple salad with grilled bruschetta chicken or grilled Mediterranean chicken kabobs.
- Fish & Seafood – This light salad works well with grilled shrimp skewers, flaky grilled salmon, or Cajun grilled cod. For a fancier meal, try broiled lobster tails or jerk salmon.
- Beef – Cook up a juicy grilled sirloin steak, your favorite burgers (or turkey burgers), or for a special meal, make some air fryer filet mignon.
- Soup – Enjoy a soup and salad combination with roasted cauliflower soup, silky cream of asparagus soup, or classic zuppa toscana.
More Summer Salad Recipes
Blend bright and fresh flavors together with these crowd-pleasing salads!
Recommended Tools
- Large Bowl – This ceramic set is both elegant and versatile.
- Wooden Salad Tongs – These are my favorite tongs for a beautiful presentation.
- Dressing Shaker – Make and store dressing right in this container.
Strawberry Spinach Salad (10 Minutes)
Everyone loves this easy strawberry spinach salad recipe with poppy seed dressing! It's the perfect summer salad and takes just 10 minutes.
Ingredients
[ See substitutions ]Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.
Strawberry Spinach Salad:
Poppy Seed Dressing:
Instructions
[ See step photos ]Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
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Combine the spinach, strawberries, goat cheese, and almonds in a large bowl or on a platter.
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Whisk together all dressing ingredients until smooth (dressing can be made in advance). Thin out the dressing with water or additional oil if desired.
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Drizzle the dressing over the strawberry spinach salad and toss to serve.
LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 cup
📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Healthy Ebook Bundle!
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy.
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Strawberry Spinach Salad
34 Comments
Veronica Gonzales
0Quick question please, I’m to a bbq and was wondering if I should add the dressing a few hours before hand. Or when I arrive? Sont want to have wilted spinach or should it be added hours before so it has time to marinate. Thank you for your help and kindness.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Veronica, Add the dressing when you arrive.
Audrey
0Hi,
I have a sister-in-law that mayonnaise makes her sick, do you have recommendations on how to modify this dressing. I am looking for a sweet dressing to go on a berry salad and this is the closest I have come across that is Keto. Thanks!
Wholesome Yum A
0Hmmm, I’m not sure about that Audrey. Perhaps plain Greek yogurt or sour cream? You will likely want to omit the vinegar if you try that.
Stephanie
0My new go to when I need to bring something to a party or family gathering! Thank you so much!
Sondra
0This is my favorite poppyseed dressing recipe, but I’d really like to know the macros for 2 tbsp of the dressing by itself. Thanks.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Sondra, Sorry, I don’t have macros available for just part of the recipe. You’d have to put the ingredients into a macro calculator.
Jill Holmes
0Just made the dressing, but I substituted honey for the sweetener and cherry balsamic for the vinegar. But it was terrific! Thanks for posting this recipe!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Jill! I am so happy you liked the salad!