Can I make this salad ahead of time for a party?

You can prepare all the components ahead of time, but I recommend assembling just before serving. Keep the spinach, sliced strawberries, candied pecans, and dressing separate in the refrigerator. Combine everything when you're ready to serve to prevent the spinach from wilting and the pecans from getting soggy.

What's the best way to hull strawberries for this salad?

The easiest way to hull strawberries is to use a small paring knife to cut around the green leafy top at an angle, removing just the stem and leaves while preserving as much of the fruit as possible. For a tool-free method, simply push a drinking straw from the bottom of the strawberry up through the top to remove the core.

Can I use a different dressing if I don't have time to make the poppy seed dressing?

Absolutely! While the homemade dressing is outstanding, a good quality store-bought raspberry vinaigrette or balsamic vinaigrette works well in a pinch. If using store-bought, consider adding a teaspoon of poppy seeds to maintain that special touch.

How do I prevent my spinach from getting soggy?

Make sure your spinach is completely dry after washing it (a salad spinner works wonders), and only dress the salad right before serving. If preparing for meal prep, keep the dressing separate until you're ready to eat. Additionally, avoid using too much dressing—you can always add more, but you can't take it away!

Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe

Name: Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 12 ounces baby spinach; 8 ounces strawberries, hulled and sliced; 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced; 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon; 1/2 cup candied pecans (see notes for recipe); 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese; 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil; 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar; 1/4 cup honey; 1/2 small red onion; 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 2 tablespoons poppy seeds

This Strawberry Spinach Salad is a vibrant explosion of flavors that perfectly balances sweet, savory, and tangy notes in every bite. The combination of fresh spinach, juicy strawberries, crunchy candied pecans, and a homemade poppy seed dressing creates a restaurant-quality salad that comes together in just 15 minutes. It’s an impressive yet effortless dish that’s perfect for everything from casual weeknight dinners to special occasions.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick Assembly: From start to finish, this salad takes just 15 minutes to prepare—perfect for those busy evenings when you want something fresh without spending hours in the kitchen.
Flavor Explosion: The combination of sweet strawberries, savory bacon, tangy feta, and the homemade poppy seed dressing creates an irresistible flavor profile that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Visually Stunning: With its vibrant colors and beautiful arrangement, this salad is as gorgeous as it is delicious—perfect for impressing guests without breaking a sweat.
Versatile: Works beautifully as a light main course for lunch or as a side salad for dinner parties. You can easily scale it up for larger gatherings or down for an intimate meal.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Baby Spinach: The foundation of our salad—tender, nutrient-rich, and provides the perfect backdrop for our other ingredients.
Strawberries: Sweet, juicy berries that add beautiful color and a burst of freshness to every bite. Always choose ripe but firm berries for the best texture.
Red Onion: Adds a pleasant sharpness that cuts through the sweetness. Slice it extra thin to prevent overwhelming the other flavors.
Bacon: Provides a smoky, savory element that transforms this from an ordinary salad to something special. The crispy texture creates wonderful contrast.
Candied Pecans: These sweet, crunchy gems elevate the entire salad with their caramelized coating. Worth making from scratch, trust me!
Feta Cheese: Brings a tangy, creamy component that beautifully balances the sweet elements. You could substitute goat cheese for a different but equally delicious flavor.
Olive Oil: The base of our dressing—use good quality extra-virgin for the best flavor.
Balsamic Vinegar: Adds depth and tangy sweetness to the dressing.
Honey: Naturally sweetens the dressing while helping to emulsify the ingredients.
Dijon Mustard: Acts as an emulsifier while adding complexity to the dressing.
Poppy Seeds: Provides a subtle texture and visual appeal to the dressing.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Protein Additions

Take this salad from side dish to main course by adding grilled chicken breast, seared salmon, or garlic shrimp on top.

Cheese Swaps

Not a feta fan? Try blue cheese for a bolder flavor, goat cheese for creamier texture, or even small fresh mozzarella balls for a milder option.

Fruit Alternatives

During different seasons, try swapping strawberries for blueberries, sliced peaches, mandarin oranges, or even sliced pears for equally delicious results.

Nut Options

If pecans aren’t your thing, substitute candied walnuts, sliced almonds, or even honey-roasted sunflower seeds for crunch.

How to Make Strawberry Spinach Salad

Step 1: Prepare the Salad Base

Add fresh baby spinach to a large salad bowl, creating a lush green foundation. The key is to use a bowl larger than you think you need—this gives you room to toss everything without spilling.

Step 2: Layer the Toppings

Arrange the hulled and sliced strawberries on top of the spinach. Layer thin slices of red onion, then sprinkle the crumbled bacon, candied pecans, and feta cheese. This layering technique makes for a gorgeous presentation if you’re serving the salad undressed.

Step 3: Prepare the Dressing

Combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, the remaining half of red onion, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a blender. Blend for about 45-60 seconds until the onion is completely pureed and the dressing is smooth. This creates a beautifully emulsified dressing with no chunks.

Step 4: Add Poppy Seeds

Stir the poppy seeds into the dressing by hand rather than blending them. This keeps them intact and visible throughout the dressing, adding that classic speckled appearance.

Step 5: Dress and Serve

Just before serving, pour the dressing over the salad and toss everything together. Remember, dress it only when you’re ready to eat—this keeps the spinach from wilting and maintains the salad’s fresh texture.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Cold Ingredients: Keep your spinach and strawberries refrigerated until right before assembly for the crispest texture.
Bacon Secret: Cook your bacon until extra crispy, then let it cool completely before crumbling. This ensures it maintains its crunch even after mixing with the dressing.
Make-Ahead Strategy: Prepare all components separately and store in the refrigerator, then assemble just before serving for the freshest result.
Dressing Thickness: If your dressing seems too thick, add a tablespoon of water at a time until it reaches your desired consistency.
Spinach Selection: Look for spinach with firm, dark green leaves and no signs of wilting for the best texture and flavor.

How to Serve

Perfect Pairings

This salad pairs beautifully with grilled proteins like lemon herb chicken, a simple roasted salmon, or even a classic grilled steak for a complete meal.

Entertainment Worthy

For dinner parties, serve the salad undressed in a large, shallow bowl with the dressing on the side. The beautiful layers make for an impressive presentation.

Meal Prep Option

For lunches throughout the week, pack the salad and dressing separately in containers. Add the dressing just before eating to keep everything fresh and crisp.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Components Separately

Prepare all elements of the salad up to 2 days ahead, storing each component separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The dressing can be made up to 5 days in advance.

Freezing

The poppy seed dressing can be frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and shake well before using.

Reheating

The candied pecans can be made in large batches and stored in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks. If they lose their crunch, refresh them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes.

FAQs

Can I make this salad ahead of time for a party?

You can prepare all the components ahead of time, but I recommend assembling just before serving. Keep the spinach, sliced strawberries, candied pecans, and dressing separate in the refrigerator. Combine everything when you’re ready to serve to prevent the spinach from wilting and the pecans from getting soggy.
What’s the best way to hull strawberries for this salad?

The easiest way to hull strawberries is to use a small paring knife to cut around the green leafy top at an angle, removing just the stem and leaves while preserving as much of the fruit as possible. For a tool-free method, simply push a drinking straw from the bottom of the strawberry up through the top to remove the core.
Can I use a different dressing if I don’t have time to make the poppy seed dressing?

Absolutely! While the homemade dressing is outstanding, a good quality store-bought raspberry vinaigrette or balsamic vinaigrette works well in a pinch. If using store-bought, consider adding a teaspoon of poppy seeds to maintain that special touch.
How do I prevent my spinach from getting soggy?

Make sure your spinach is completely dry after washing it (a salad spinner works wonders), and only dress the salad right before serving. If preparing for meal prep, keep the dressing separate until you’re ready to eat. Additionally, avoid using too much dressing—you can always add more, but you can’t take it away!

Final Thoughts

This Strawberry Spinach Salad is my go-to recipe when I want to impress without stress. The combination of sweet berries, crunchy nuts, savory bacon and that incredible poppy seed dressing creates pure magic in every bite. I love how something so simple can taste so sophisticated! Whether you’re hosting friends or simply treating yourself to a special lunch, this salad delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort. Give it a try—I’m confident it will become a regular in your recipe rotation!