Best Strawberry Spinach Salad With Candied Pecans & Poppy Seed Dressing
This Strawberry Spinach Salad is a perfect blend of flavors and textures that can lift your mood and brighten your day. With fresh strawberries, crunchy candied pecans, and a creamy poppy seed dressing, this salad is bound to impress friends and family. It’s not just tasty, but also visually appealing, making it a great choice for gatherings or a simple lunch at home.
This salad is light and refreshing, packed with nutrients from the spinach and strawberries while the candied pecans add a delightful sweet crunch. It’s safe to say that this recipe is a delightful twist on the routine green salad!
Why Make This Recipe
You should make this Strawberry Spinach Salad because it’s not just a nutritious dish, but also a satisfying one. The combination of fresh ingredients and sweet flavors makes it suitable for any occasion. Here’s why you’ll love it:
- Health Benefits: Spinach is a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals, while strawberries are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C. Together they create a salad that’s as nutritious as it is delicious.
- Easy to Prepare: This salad is quick and simple to make. In just a few steps, you can create a dish that looks gourmet!
- Versatile: It can be served as a side dish or as a main course, especially if you add proteins like grilled chicken or tofu.
- Seasonal Ingredient: Strawberries are typically in season from late spring to early summer, so it’s a great way to enjoy fresh and local produce.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Its vibrant colors and mix of flavors make it a favorite at gatherings, potlucks, and picnics.
How to Make Best Strawberry Spinach Salad with Candied Pecans & Poppy Seed Dressing
Ingredients :
- 5-6 ounces baby spinach
- 1 pound fresh strawberries
- 1 cup pecan halves
- 1 tablespoon butter or neutral oil
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- Pinch of salt
- ½ cup neutral oil (like canola or vegetable)
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ of a small red onion (optional)
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
Directions :
1. Prepare Your Candied Pecans:
Start by making your candied pecans. In a non-stick skillet, melt the butter or oil over medium heat. Add the sugar and a pinch of salt, stirring until combined. Toss in the pecan halves and stir until they are well coated. Continue to cook for a few minutes until they are golden brown and fragrant. Then, spread them out on a baking sheet to cool completely.
2. Whisk Up the Poppy Seed Dressing:
While your pecans cool, get started on your dressing. In a mixing bowl, combine the neutral oil, apple cider vinegar, sugar, poppy seeds, Dijon mustard, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Whisk them together until the mixture is well combined and emulsified.
3. Prepare Your Salad Components:
Now it’s time to get your salad ready. Rinse and dry the baby spinach leaves thoroughly. Hull the strawberries, removing the green leafy tops, and slice them into thin pieces. If you are using red onion, slice it thinly as well.
4. Combine Everything:
In a large salad bowl, combine the fresh spinach, sliced strawberries, and optional red onion. If you’d like to add feta cheese, crumble it over the top. Gently toss the ingredients together to mix them without bruising the spinach.
5. Serve Immediately:
Drizzle the poppy seed dressing over the salad and then sprinkle the cooled candied pecans on top. Toss everything gently to coat the salad with the dressing. For a decorative touch, you can add extra strawberries and pecans on top as a garnish. Serve it right away to enjoy the freshness of the ingredients. If you have leftovers, store them separately to keep everything crisp.
How to Serve Best Strawberry Spinach Salad
This Strawberry Spinach Salad can be served as an appetizer or a side dish. Here are a few serving suggestions:
- As a Stand-Alone Meal: Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas to turn this salad into a filling main course.
- Pair with Other Dishes: Serve it alongside grilled meats, seafood, or as a refreshing side to your main entrees such as steak or burgers.
- Picnic-Friendly: Pack it for picnics in a separate container. Just bring the dressing in another small container to keep the greens fresh until ready to eat.
How to Store Best Strawberry Spinach Salad
To keep your salad fresh for later, follow these storage tips:
- Store Separately: If you have leftovers, it’s best to store the spinach, strawberries, dressing, and candied pecans separately. This will prevent the leaves from wilting and becoming soggy.
- Air-Tight Containers: Use air-tight containers to save space in the fridge and keep the salad fresh.
- Consume Quickly: Ideally, eat the salad within a couple of days. The strawberries and spinach are best enjoyed fresh, so try to finish leftovers in the first 1-2 days after preparing.
Tips to Make Best Strawberry Spinach Salad
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Ensure that your spinach and strawberries are fresh. Look for bright green spinach leaves and ripe strawberries for the best flavor.
- Adjust Sweetness: You can tweak the sweetness level of the candied pecans and the dressing to your taste. If you prefer a less sweet salad, simply reduce the sugar in the pecans and dressing.
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the candied pecans and dressing in advance. Just assemble the salad when you’re ready to serve.
- Add Crunch: For more crunch, consider adding other nuts like almonds or walnuts, or even seeds like sunflower seeds.
- Herbs: Fresh herbs, such as mint or basil, can enhance the flavors in your salad. Sprinkle some finely chopped herbs to give it an aromatic twist.
Variation
- Add Fruits: Experiment with other fruits, such as blueberries, raspberries, or mandarin oranges, to add variety to your salad.
- Swap Cheese: Instead of feta, try goat cheese or mozzarella for a different flavor profile.
- Gluten-Free Alternative: For a gluten-free version, ensure that the Dijon mustard and any other condiments are gluten-free.
- Nut-Free Option: If you or someone you know has nut allergies, you can replace candied pecans with roasted pumpkin seeds or omit them altogether for a lighter take.
FAQs
1. Can I use frozen strawberries?
While fresh strawberries are recommended for the best flavor and texture, you can use frozen strawberries if fresh ones are unavailable. Just make sure to thaw and drain them to avoid excess liquid.
2. Is this salad suitable for meal prep?
Yes, you can prepare components ahead of time but store the dressing and pecans separately until you’re ready to eat to ensure everything stays fresh.
3. Can I make the candied pecans ahead of time?
Absolutely! Candied pecans can be made well in advance and stored in an airtight container for up to a week.
4. Is the dressing vegan-friendly?
The dressing can be made vegan by omitting the honey and ensuring your sugar is vegan-certified.
5. How long does the salad last in the fridge?
If stored properly, the salad components will last about 1-2 days in the fridge, but for the best taste, try to eat it soon after making.
Enjoy this delightful Strawberry Spinach Salad at your next meal for a fresh and tasty experience!
Print
Best Strawberry Spinach Salad With Candied Pecans & Poppy Seed Dressing
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A refreshing blend of spinach, strawberries, and candied pecans topped with creamy poppy seed dressing.
Ingredients
- 5–6 ounces baby spinach
- 1 pound fresh strawberries
- 1 cup pecan halves
- 1 tablespoon butter or neutral oil
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- Pinch of salt
- ½ cup neutral oil (like canola or vegetable)
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ of a small red onion (optional)
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Your Candied Pecans: In a non-stick skillet, melt the butter or oil over medium heat. Add the sugar and a pinch of salt, stirring until combined. Toss in the pecan halves and stir until they are well coated. Continue to cook for a few minutes until golden brown and fragrant. Spread them out on a baking sheet to cool completely.
- Whisk Up the Poppy Seed Dressing: In a mixing bowl, combine the neutral oil, apple cider vinegar, sugar, poppy seeds, Dijon mustard, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Whisk together until well combined and emulsified.
- Prepare Your Salad Components: Rinse and dry the baby spinach leaves. Hull the strawberries, removing green tops, and slice them. If using red onion, slice it thinly.
- Combine Everything: In a large salad bowl, combine fresh spinach, sliced strawberries, and optional red onion. If desired, crumble feta cheese over the top. Gently toss without bruising the spinach.
- Serve Immediately: Drizzle the poppy seed dressing over the salad and sprinkle the cooled candied pecans on top. Toss gently to coat. Garnish with extra strawberries and pecans if desired.
Notes
For best flavor, consume the salad within 1-2 days. Store components separately to prevent wilting.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Keywords: strawberry spinach salad, salad with pecans, poppy seed dressing, healthy salad, quick salad