Description
A vibrant and refreshing Strawberry Spinach Salad featuring sweet strawberries, crisp spinach, tangy feta cheese, and crunchy candied nuts, all tossed in a creamy poppy seed dressing. Perfect for a quick, healthy meal or side dish.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 6 cups baby spinach leaves
- 1 pound strawberries, sliced
- ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
- 6 bacon strips, cooked until crisp and chopped
- ⅓ cup feta cheese crumbles
- ½ cup pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped
Dressing Ingredients
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅔ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup milk
- 6 tablespoons sugar
- 2 ½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 4 teaspoons poppy seeds
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: Combine all dressing ingredients including mayonnaise, milk, sugars, apple cider vinegar, oil, poppy seeds, and a pinch of salt. Shake well in a sealed jar or whisk vigorously until smooth and creamy.
- Prepare the candied nuts: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add ¼ cup sugar. Stir continuously for 3 to 5 minutes until the sugar begins to dissolve and caramelize. Add the roughly chopped pecans or walnuts and stir until they are evenly coated in the melted sugar. Transfer the nuts to a plate and sprinkle with ground cinnamon. Let them cool completely to harden.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl or serving platter, combine baby spinach, sliced strawberries, thinly sliced red onion, chopped crispy bacon, and crumbled feta cheese. Toss gently to mix the ingredients evenly.
- Serve: Drizzle the prepared poppy seed dressing over the salad just before serving. Sprinkle the cooled candied nuts on top for added crunch and sweetness. Enjoy your fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad!
Notes
- For crisp bacon, cook over medium heat until golden and fully crisped, then chop.
- Milk can be substituted with buttermilk or a non-dairy milk for variation.
- To make candied nuts ahead, store them in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain crunch.
- This salad is best served fresh to maintain the crispness of the spinach and freshness of the strawberries.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
