Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Vinaigrette

Super simple Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing — healthy, vibrant, and the perfect summer staple.

This strawberry spinach salad is one of those easy, crowd-pleasing recipes you’ll reach for all summer long. Bright, colorful, and quick to assemble, it balances sweet ripe strawberries with creamy avocado, crisp almonds and tender baby spinach. The homemade honey poppy seed dressing ties everything together with a touch of sweetness and a delicate poppy seed texture. It’s elegant enough for company yet fast enough for a weeknight side.

Why We Love This Salad

This salad combines complementary textures and flavors: juicy strawberries, buttery avocado, crunchy almonds and leafy greens dressed in a light, sweet vinaigrette. It’s naturally refreshing, visually appealing on the table, and simple to adapt. Whether you’re serving it as a side or adding grilled chicken for a main course, it’s versatile and consistently well received.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 5 to 6 cups baby spinach leaves, lightly packed
• 2 cups sliced strawberries
• 1 avocado, peeled, pitted and diced
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2 Tbsp honey
• 1 Tbsp poppy seeds

Make This Salad Your Own

Swap the baby spinach for arugula or mixed greens if you prefer peppery or varied textures. Add crumbled goat cheese or gorgonzola for a creamy, tangy note, or include thinly sliced red onion for a sharper bite. For extra protein make it a main dish by topping with grilled chicken, shrimp or tofu. Toasted walnuts or pecans are a delicious alternative to almonds. Use this base as inspiration — the combination of sweet fruit, creamy avocado and crunchy nuts works with many variations.

If you’re not typically a salad person, this one is a great place to start. The sweetness of the strawberries, the richness of avocado and the satisfying crunch from nuts make it approachable for nearly every palate. Best of all, it comes together in minutes.

Prep Time, Total Time & Servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 10 minutes | Servings: 4

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the baby spinach, sliced strawberries, diced avocado and sliced almonds.
2. Make the poppy seed dressing by whisking together olive oil, red wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, honey and poppy seeds until well combined.
3. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat. Serve immediately.
4. Alternatively, chill the dressing in an airtight container and add it to the salad just before serving to keep the greens crisp.

Poppy Seed Dressing Tips

The dressing is very forgiving — adjust the sweetness or acidity to taste. If you prefer a smoother dressing, whisk or blend briefly. Store any leftover dressing in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to two weeks; shake well before using. Keeping the dressing separate until serving prevents the salad from becoming soggy.

Prepping and Storage

For best results, prep the components separately. Wash and spin-dry greens, slice strawberries and dice avocado just before serving to prevent browning. If you need to prepare ahead, keep the dressing in a jar in the fridge and assemble the salad shortly before serving. Leftovers can be stored with the dressing on the side; once dressed, the salad is best eaten the same day.

Nutrition

Approximate nutrition per serving (1/4 of recipe): 306 kcal, Carbohydrates 21.8 g, Protein 3.8 g, Fat 24 g, Saturated Fat 3.3 g, Sodium 35 mg, Fiber 6.6 g, Sugar 13 g. Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.

Serving Suggestions

This salad pairs beautifully with grilled fish or roasted chicken as a light summer main. For a vegetarian meal, add quinoa or roasted chickpeas for extra protein and make it heartier. Garnish with additional toasted nuts or a sprinkle of fresh herbs like mint or basil to elevate flavor.

More Salads to Try

• Chinese Chicken Salad
• Healthy Greek Salad
• Crunchy Thai Chicken Salad
• Strawberry Balsamic Salad
• Healthy Broccoli Salad
• My Favorite Detox Salad

Hope you enjoy this Strawberry Spinach Salad! If you make it, leave a comment and tell us how you customized it — we love seeing new variations and kitchen creativity.