Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe
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This fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad recipe topped with a simple homemade Poppy Seed Dressing is beautiful and delicious! A perfect salad for entertaining, it’s a crowd favorite anytime!

I make this sweet and tangy salad with fresh spinach greens, luscious strawberries, toasted pecans, and red onions; all topped with a simple homemade poppy seed dressing. It is such a crowd favorite that I’m asked for the recipe every time I serve it!ย
I’ve served this salad with everything from ham at Easter, grilled chicken for our Sunday supper, and baked salmon for dinner with friends. If you are looking for a bright and beautiful salad that is perfect for Easter, Mother’s Day, and all of those spring and summer get-togethers and parties, then I think you will love this Strawberry Spinach Salad recipe!ย
How to Make Strawberry Spinach Salad
I love using fresh strawberries in recipes when they’re in season. They add such a beautiful and fresh touch to so many dishes, and this salad is a favorite strawberry recipe!
Here’s how you’ll make it.
Ingredients
Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.
- Poppy seeds, sugar, olive oil, and distilled white vinegar – Use these for the homemade Poppy Seed Dressing.
- Fresh baby spinach
- Fresh strawberriesย – Cleaned, hulled, and cut in half. I don’t recommend using frozen berries for this salad.
- Roasted pecans – These pecans add a nice bit of crunch and an amazing depth of flavor to this salad.
- Red onionย – Optional – Thinly slice these onions if you choose to use them. You can omit the red onion if you don’t wish to add it.
Step-by-Step Instructions
You can make this scrumptious strawberry spinach salad recipe in two simple steps!
- Add the poppy seeds, sugar, olive oil, and vinegar to a mason jar. Secure the lid and shake well to combine. Refrigerate for an hour for up to 7 days.
- Combine the spinach, strawberries, pecans, and red onion slices (if using) in a large salad bowl or on a platter. Pour the dressing over the salad and lightly toss. Refrigerate for about 10 minutes before serving.
Make Ahead Instructions
Prep the strawberries, spinach, red onion, and poppyseed dressing ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator on the day you plan to serve it. Then, about 10 minutes before serving, toss them all together to make the salad, mix in the roasted pecans, and top with the poppyseed dressing.
This makes it an easy go-to recipe for entertaining.
Other Favorite Salad Recipes
Here’s the recipe for my Strawberry Spinach Salad. I hope you love it as much as we do!
Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons poppy seeds
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
- 9 ounces spinach
- 1 quart fresh strawberries, cleaned, hulled and cut in half
- 1/2 cup roasted pecans
- 1/4 medium red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
Instructions
- Add the poppy seeds, sugar, olive oil, and vinegar to a mason jar. Secure the lid and shake well to combine. Refrigerate an hour to up to 7 days.
- Combine the spinach, strawberries, pecans, and red onion slices (if using) in a large salad bowl or on a platter. Pour the dressing over salad, and lightly toss. Refrigerate about 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
Also good with candied pecans and/or bacon bits. Yum.
Love this salad
Awesome salad – raspberries instead of strawberries also work very well!
The best salad I’ve ever had and I make it a lot!!! Gave the recipe to my daughter and she agrees that it is the best.
Thanks so much for the recipe.
Thank you so much, Candace.
My family and I absolutely love this salad. ย I made this as a side to your fettuccine Alfredo recipe. ย Gotta say that these were winners in my house. ย Going to make this salad for my lunch tomorrow. Thanks again!
Thanks, Leann.
So glad you liked this salad. It is one of my family’s favorites.
Took this for a potluck at work and it was a HUGE hit! As you said, there were many requests for the recipe! It will be one of my go to recipes for sure! So good! Thank you!
Thanks, Gina
So glad everyone loved this salad. It’s one of my favorite go to recipes, too.
Really stunning salad, colourful and tasty. A def remake!
Thanks so much, Karen! I love serving this salad and am glad to hear that you do as well! xo
I made this salad today for our Easter lunch, but because of the weather I couldnโt find any strawberries in Oklahoma so I used fresh blueberries and black berries and it was a hit! Thank you so much for your recipe. I will definitely be making this again,ย
I know it was delicious with those berries, Linda! I’m happy you enjoyed it! xo
My family loves this salad! I make it with chopped walnuts and goat cheese crumbles, delicious ?
I’m thrilled that you and your family enjoy this, Sally! It’s one of our favorite salads too! Sounds great with the goat cheese!!! Thanks so much! xo
I served it with Roasted almonds and missed out on the poppy seeds. It was delicious. My Family loved it too, they wanted the recipe in the shelf. It was the first time I had ever tasted or made a strawberry salad, but it won’t be the last.
I’m so glad you made it and that your family loved it! It is one of our favorites, too!
Just received my “Add A Pinch” cookbook and love it
Great job
I’m so thrilled you like it! Thank you so very much, Nancy! I appreciate your support! xo
We love this salad and make it regularly. Itโs a family favourite!
I’m so glad your family loves this salad!