Healthy Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

This strawberry spinach salad has just 9 ingredients and a seasonal summer salad that combines spinach, strawberries and more for a delicious recipe that kids can make! The homemade poppy seed dressing adds the perfect balance of balsamic vinegar sweetened with honey – no refined sugars here! Just a simple, real food recipe that the whole family will love. 

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Healthy Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

I’ve enjoyed this recipe for so long now that I had to share it with you: Healthy Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing. The thing is, my kids are pretty good about eating greens and salads. I don’t generally need to coax them to eat their veggies. Okay, I may need to remind them, but I don’t have to force it. But when each of your four kids are scrambling to go back for more, you know you have a winning recipe. In fact, not only is this a family-friendly recipe, it’s also one that kids can make. And you know I’m all about that!

This strawberry spinach salad is:

• Plant-based
• Paleo-friendly
• Versatile – see below on additional toppings if you’d like to add
• Easy enough that kids can make it
• Seasonal
• Company worthy
• A great source of vitamins and nutrients
• The perfect thing for a pot luck or party

How to make a homemade balsamic poppy seed dressing

This homemade balsamic poppy seed dressing has no refined sugar but is the perfect balance of tangy, thanks to the balsamic vinegar, and a touch of honey. Add in some good quality olive oil or avocado oil and you will have a delicious, colorful salad that’s a crowd pleaser! Simply combine oil, balsamic vinegar and honey with minced onion – optional, but adds a nice twist! Some poppy seeds and sesame seeds balance out this dressing that’s ready to be shaken. Easy peasy

I use and love this salad dressing shaker. The BlenderBall helps blend everything up together, and the measurements on the side are incredibly useful. Plus it’s kid-friendly and my kids enjoy making salads in it.

What you can add to this paleo strawberry spinach salad

• Turn this into a strawberry spinach salad with chicken by adding some grilled chicken.
• Avocado slices can help up the satiating factor while keeping this plant-based.
• Meat lovers may enjoy some cooked steak atop this salad.
• Candied pecans (or these roasted ones) and a mix of other nuts are also delicious.
• Add some feta or goat cheese to add color and flavor.
• Additional/other berries will add a nice pop of color and delicious fruitiness.
• Some cooked quinoa or other grain can be added in to make this more filling.

Make ahead and storage tips

1. Feel free to make the dressing ahead of time. Remove and bring to room temperature for about 30 minutes before dressing the salad.
2. Do not dress the salad until ready to enjoy. The dressing will wilt the salad quickly.
3. Store uneaten salad for up to 3 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Dressing should be kept separately in a jar or in the shaker bottle (if you have one).

How to make this strawberry salad vegan:

Swap out the honey for maple syrup to make this a vegan strawberry salad.

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Healthy Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

0 mins

 

This Healthy Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing is a tasty, easy plant-based recipe. Paleo-friendly and minimal ingredients. Colorful and bright, this is always a crowd-pleaser!

Course: Dinner, Lunch, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: 6

Calories: 259 kcal

Ingredients

Salad

• 10 oz baby spinach , organic if possible
• 1 pint strawberries , hulled and sliced
• 1/2 cup pecan pieces (or almond slices)

Homemade Poppy Seed Dressing

• 1/3 cup olive oil sub avocado oil if desired
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp sesame seeds
• 1 tbsp poppy seeds
• 1 tbsp minced onion

Instructions

1. Mix salad ingredients.

2. In a shaker bottle or jar, combine dressing ingredients. Do not refrigerate, and do not add to salad until ready to serve as it will wilt spinach quickly.

Nutrition Facts

Healthy Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Amount Per Serving

Calories 259 Calories from Fat 189

% Daily Value*

Fat 21g32%

Saturated Fat 3g19%

Sodium 42mg2%

Potassium 457mg13%

Carbohydrates 18g6%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 12g13%

Protein 4g8%

Vitamin A 4440IU89%

Vitamin C 60mg73%

Calcium 116mg12%

Iron 3mg17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

I hope you love this as much as we do. It’s a sure sign that spring is here, but also goes well into summer. Gotta love those fresh strawberries! It’s a dish you can feel good about eating and sharing. Let me know if you love it!!

Other simple salads you may enjoy:

Easy Broccoli Salad (Without Bacon)

Black Bean Avocado Salad

Peach and Avocado Salad Recipe

Best Crunchy Detox Salad

Kale Quinoa Salad (FODMAP friendly!)

The Best Hearty Fall Salad Recipe