Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Make the perfect light lunch or healthy side dish with this strawberry spinach salad topped with poppy seed dressing! It’s so easy to make and the flavors are incredible, making this a salad everyone will actually want to eat!

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Light summer meals are crucial for those hot days when you don’t want to turn the oven on. This strawberry spinach salad is at it’s best with ripe summer strawberries, and it’s so easy that there isn’t any real cooking required.

What makes this the best strawberry spinach salad

Salads with fruit are great because they add a little sweetness to the leafy greens that some people find bitter. This salad recipe also boasts a lovely homemade poppy seed dressing that gets its creaminess from high protein Greek yogurt.

With fruit, vegetables, cheese, and nuts, this really is a complete meal for any time you want something on the lighter side. It would also be a great side dish for BBQ tofu, BBQ tempeh, low carb breakfast casserole, or spinach stuffed portobello mushrooms.

Ingredients

• Spinach
• Strawberries
• Walnuts
• Gorgonzola cheese

How to make strawberry spinach salad

1. Toss all ingredients together gently in a large bowl. Top with dressing.

Poppy seed dressing ingredients

• Olive oil
• Honey
• Apple cider vinegar
• Greek yogurt
• Poppy seeds
• Salt & pepper

How to make poppy seed dressing

1. In a small bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. 
2. Drizzle over salad and toss, or serve on the side.

Top tips and questions

What kind of Greek yogurt should I use?

I love Chobani’s whole milk plain yogurt, but this would also work with a low fat or fat free variety as well. I think a vegan yogurt would also work, but tends to be a little more watery so the dressing may not be as creamy.

Is apple cider the same as apple cider vinegar?

Make sure you’re using apple cider vinegar and not apple cider in the poppy seed dressing. They are not interchangeable. 

Apple cider vinegar can be found in the grocery store near the other vinegar, and is a very healthy addition to foods, including salad dressings.

Is gorgonzola cheese vegetarian?

Gorgonzola cheese is not always vegetarian because it is often made with animal rennet. You can try to find varieties made with vegetable derived rennet if this is a concern for you.

Can strawberry spinach salad be made ahead?

This salad is best fresh, so I recommend keeping the ingredients separate until ready to serve. If you don’t plan to eat the whole salad, only add dressing to the amount you plan to eat and store the rest separately in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Tips for customizing this strawberry spinach salad recipe

• Swap the gorgonzola for feta or goat cheese
• Swap the spinach for another leafy green such as kale
• Instead of poppyseed dressing, try a store bought balsamic dressing
• Swap the walnuts for almonds or pecans
• Add thinly sliced red onion and avocado

More salad recipes

• Winter Salad with Butternut Squash
• Vegetarian Autumn Grain Bowl
• Panzanella Salad
• Rainbow Quinoa Salad
• Warm Kale and Quinoa Salad
• Southwest Salad
• Greek Orzo Salad
• Mediterranean Couscous Salad
• BBQ Chickpea Salad
• Israeli Couscous Salad
• Summer Salad with Fruit
• High Protein Vegan Salad
• Healthy Green Salad with Sriracha Peanut Dressing

If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!

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