Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing (15 Minutes!)

Calling all salad lovers! This strawberry spinach salad is the perfect mix of sweet and savory — fresh baby spinach piled high with juicy sliced strawberries, tangy feta crumbles, crispy red onion, and maple-candied almonds, all drizzled with a creamy homemade poppyseed dressing.

It’s my go-to summer salad because it comes together in about 15 minutes, works as a light lunch or a gorgeous side dish, and tastes like something you’d order at a restaurant. The combination of sweet strawberries, salty feta, and crunchy candied almonds hits every note.

Below I’m breaking down every component — the candied almonds, the from-scratch dressing, storage tips, easy swaps, and what to serve alongside it to make it a full meal.

The Perfect Summer Salad

Do you know those recipes that bring you back in time? This strawberry spinach salad takes me back to high school when I would spend all day at my neighbor’s house. Their mom would buy the most amazing poppyseed dressing and it felt like there was always a huge bowl of berry salad in their fridge — a total free for all!

As an adult, I’ve found that my palate for salads has changed just a little bit. I now need a balance of sweet and savory, as well as a good mixture of texture in every salad I eat. That’s exactly what this strawberry spinach salad delivers — and it’s become one of the most popular salad recipes on Fit Foodie Finds.

Strawberry Spinach Salad Ingredients

If you’re planning on having a salad for a full meal, it’s important to pack it with nutritious ingredients that will keep you going all day. I chose every ingredient in this salad because they complement each other beautifully and each one brings something different to the table.

Spinach: Spinach is the leafy green of leafy greens! It’s great with almost any dressing and you can eat it cold or hot. Spinach is packed with iron, vitamin B, calcium, and folic acid. You get a lot of bang for your buck with any spinach-based salad.

Fresh strawberries: Not only are strawberries absolutely sweet and delicious, but they also offer a lot of nutritional value to any meal. Strawberries are rich in vitamins C and K, and they’re also a great source of potassium! Feel free to add extra strawberries to this salad or chop them differently. I like to leave bigger chunks, but bite-sized pieces work great too. If you love strawberries in salads, try my strawberry broccoli salad and strawberry quinoa salad next.

Feta crumbles: Tangy, salty feta is the perfect counterbalance to the sweet strawberries. If you prefer a creamier cheese, goat cheese is a delicious swap (it works beautifully in my arugula salad).

Red onion: I know raw red onion can be polarizing! If you’re not a raw onion person, check out my how to make caramelized onions post and use those instead. Raw red onion adds a delicious crunch and bite to any salad, plus it’s packed with antioxidants, vitamin C, and potassium. A little goes a long way!

Poppyseed dressing: Don’t be afraid — making homemade poppyseed dressing is SO easy. I use a combination of Greek yogurt, lemon juice, poppy seeds, and vinegar for a light, creamy dressing that’s way better than store-bought. Poppy seeds are known to support digestion and are packed with antioxidants!

How to Make Candied Almonds

These candied almonds were inspired by my oil-free maple roasted pecans! You’re not going to believe how easy they are to make — just three ingredients and 8 minutes in the oven.

1. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Toss slivered almonds with maple syrup and a pinch of salt.
3. Spread them in a single layer on the baking sheet.
4. Bake at 400ºF for 8 minutes until golden and fragrant.

They come out sweet, salty, crunchy, and completely addicting. Almonds also add a healthy dose of fiber and protein to this strawberry spinach salad!

How to Make Strawberry Spinach Salad

This salad couldn’t be simpler to throw together. Here’s the step-by-step:

1. Make the candied almonds: Toss slivered almonds with maple syrup and salt, then bake at 400ºF for 8 minutes. Let them cool while you prep everything else.
2. Whisk the dressing: Combine olive oil, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, poppy seeds, and salt. (Full recipe in my poppyseed dressing post.)
3. Assemble the salad: Divide fresh spinach among four bowls. Top with sliced strawberries, feta crumbles, sliced red onion, and candied almonds.
4. Dress and serve: Drizzle about two tablespoons of poppyseed dressing over each bowl and enjoy!

Tips for the Best Strawberry Spinach Salad

• Use ripe, in-season strawberries: They’re naturally sweeter and juicier, which makes a huge difference in this salad.
• Dry your spinach well: Excess moisture will dilute the dressing. A salad spinner works great here.
• Dress right before serving: The spinach will wilt if it sits in dressing too long. If meal prepping, keep the dressing on the side.
• Let the almonds cool completely: They’ll crisp up as they cool. If you add them while warm, they can wilt the spinach.
• Thinly slice the red onion: Paper-thin slices distribute better and have a milder bite.

Substitutions and Variations

This salad is endlessly customizable! Here are some easy swaps:

• Greens: Swap spinach for arugula, mixed greens, or a combination. My arugula salad uses a similar flavor profile.
• Berries: Blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries all work beautifully in place of (or in addition to) strawberries.
• Cheese: Try goat cheese, fresh mozzarella, or shaved Parmesan instead of feta.
• Nuts: Candied pecans, walnuts, or pistachios are all delicious alternatives. My summer salad with honey roasted pistachios uses a similar concept.
• Dressing: A simple balsamic vinaigrette or any of my favorite dressings would work here too.
• Make it vegan: Skip the feta and Greek yogurt in the dressing — use a simple olive oil and lemon vinaigrette instead.

What to Serve with Strawberry Spinach Salad

This salad works as a light lunch on its own, but if you want to turn it into a bigger meal, here are my favorite pairings:

• Grilled chicken: My juicy grilled chicken is the easiest way to add protein. Slice it right on top!
• Salmon: A piece of pan-seared salmon pairs beautifully with the sweet berries and tangy feta.
• Grilled California chicken: My grilled California chicken is another great summer protein option.
• Soup: Keep it light with a cup of soup on the side for a perfect lunch combo.
• Crusty bread: A slice of warm sourdough never hurts alongside a big salad!

How to Store and Meal Prep

This strawberry spinach salad is fantastic for meal prep! Here’s how I do it:

• Meal prep containers: Divide the spinach, strawberries, feta, and red onion into four containers. Keep the candied almonds and dressing in separate small containers so nothing gets soggy.
• Storage: The prepped components will last 3–4 days in the fridge. Add the almonds and dressing right before eating.
• Dressing: The poppyseed dressing keeps for up to 1 week in an airtight jar in the fridge. Give it a good shake before using.
• Candied almonds: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. They’ll stay nice and crunchy!

Strawberry Spinach Salad FAQ

Can I make strawberry spinach salad ahead of time?

Yes! Prep all of the components and store them separately in the fridge for up to 4 days. Keep the dressing and candied almonds in their own containers and add them right before serving so nothing gets soggy.

What protein goes well with strawberry spinach salad?

Grilled chicken, pan-seared salmon, and shrimp are all excellent options. Even a handful of chickpeas or some edamame will boost the protein if you want to keep it vegetarian.

Can I use a different dressing?

Absolutely! A simple balsamic vinaigrette, raspberry vinaigrette, or even a light lemon dressing would pair well with the strawberries and spinach. Check out my favorite salad dressing recipes for more ideas.

Is strawberry spinach salad healthy?

Yes! Spinach is packed with iron, vitamins, and calcium. Strawberries are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. The homemade poppyseed dressing uses Greek yogurt instead of mayo, keeping it lighter than most store-bought options. It’s a nutrient-dense salad that’s also naturally gluten-free.

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