Strawberry Spinach Salad (Print Version)

Tender spinach and sweet strawberries combined with crunchy candied pecans and poppy seed dressing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad

01 - 6 cups baby spinach, washed and dried
02 - 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
03 - 1/2 cup candied pecans
04 - 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
05 - 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)

→ Candied Pecans

06 - 1/2 cup pecan halves
07 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
08 - 1 tablespoon butter

→ Poppy Seed Dressing

09 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
10 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
11 - 1 tablespoon honey
12 - 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
13 - 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
14 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
15 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How To:

01 - Melt butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add pecans and sugar, stirring constantly until pecans are coated and sugar dissolves, approximately 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to parchment paper to cool and separate into pieces once cooled.
02 - Whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, poppy seeds, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl or jar until fully emulsified. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, combine spinach, strawberries, red onion, and feta cheese if using. Add candied pecans, drizzle dressing over the mixture, and toss gently to coat evenly before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in barely 20 minutes, and most of that is just toasting pecans.
  • The contrast of creamy dressing against fresh berries and crispy nuts feels surprisingly elegant.
  • You can make it vegetarian, vegan, or protein-packed depending on who's coming to dinner.
02 -
  • Don't make the candied pecans more than a few hours ahead or they'll lose their crunch to humidity—this is one dish where timing matters.
  • Toss the salad gently with your hands right before serving; rough handling with a spoon bruises the spinach and squashes the strawberries.
03 -
  • Wash and dry your spinach well ahead of time—moisture is the enemy of crispness.
  • Keep the dressing separate until the last possible moment, or make it right before serving for maximum freshness and texture.
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