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This Spinach Salad with Strawberries Recipe is perfect for those Summer months when it’s too hot to turn on the oven or you don’t feel like cooking! It’s fast, fresh, flavourful and the perfect homemade poppy seed dressing sends it over the top!

We all have those Summer days. You know, the ones? When it’s too dang hot and sticky to even think about turning on the oven. Heck, it’s too hot and sticky to even remotely feel like cooking and just the thought of it makes you want to jump in an ice bath. Yeah. *Those* days. Well it’s time to say hellllllo to this perfect-for-Summer Spinach Salad with Strawberries. I mean, just that alone sounds so fresh, refreshing and just screams Summer. Am I right? Add some spicy toasted pecans and slivered almond, crumbled goat cheese, crisp red onion and fresh chopped basil and you know we’ve got a winner on our hands. I don’t even have to mention the quick and easy homemade Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing, now do I?

two bowls of salad with spinach, strawberries, goat cheese, pecans and red onions, bowl of sliced strawberries in the background

You guys already knnnnow I’m a self-proclaimed salad queen. Not only do I love eating salads but I love making them (on the reg!). It’s not rare for me to serve a salad and only a salad for lunch or dinner. And for the record, my grown man of a boyfriend never has a single complaint. I’m not even lying when I tell you that my favourite food as a kid growing up was legitimately salad. Ok, and maybe tacos. But salad has always had a special place in my heart… even since the beginning of time!

Yes, this Spinach Salad with Strawberries might have Summer written all over it. But that doesn’t mean I don’t gulp it down any time of year! It’s hard not to when something is as quick to make and delicious as this! 😉 And did I mention that it just so happens to be Keto friendly. Now we’re talkin’…

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE THIS SPINACH SALAD WITH STRAWBERRIES RECIPE

ingredients for spinach salad with strawberries recipe - spinach, strawberries, pecans, goat cheese, slivered almonds, basil, butter, salt, cayenne, cinnamon, poppy seed dressing, red onion — *Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.*

This delicious Strawberry Spinach Salad is packed and loaded with fresh, healthy and wholesome ingredients! Let’s get into them in a little bit more detail down below:

Spinach: The base of this fresh, Summer salad. Fresh baby spinach works best in this recipe. However, if you don’t like spinach or don’t have any on hand, feel free to switch it up. Arugula, kale, lettuce or mixed baby greens all make great alternatives.
Strawberries: The star of the show in this Spinach Salad Recipe! They add a natural sweetness and juicy freshness to the salad that is perfect for those hot Summer months. For best results, make sure your strawberries are ripe, fresh and juicy! If you’re looking to switch things up a bit, try replacing the strawberries with blueberries, mandarin oranges, mango or dried cranberries.
Goat Cheese: Adds a soft, tangy creaminess to this Spinach Salad with Strawberries. IMHO, it’s the perfect pairing for the pecans and strawberries. However, if you don’t have any goat cheese on hand, try using a different kind of cheese. Blue cheese or gorgonzola, parmesan and feta all make great options for this Spinach Strawberry Salad.
Red Onion: Adds crispness, freshness and the perfect oniony bite to the salad. White onion will also work great in this recipe. If you’re sensitive to the flavour of onions or are worried about it overpowering the salad, simply soak the slices in water beforehand or omit them from your salad completely.
Pecans and Slivered Almonds: Add a nice crunchy texture and spicy bite to the salad. They’re coated in butter and doused in cayenne, cinnamon and salt for an extra boost of flavour. Trust me, toasting them makes all the difference! You can always switch up the type of nut, if you prefer. Walnuts, peanuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds or pistachios are great alternatives. But whatever you do, be sure to toast them!
Basil: Adds a herby freshness to the salad that balances out the flavour of the rest of the ingredients. Basil and strawberries are like a match made in Heaven (IYKYK). Therefore, fresh basil is best in this recipe.
Poppy Seed Dressing: Homemade, of course. 10 minutes and simple ingredients take this Spinach Salad with Strawberries Recipe over the top! Find the recipe for the simple Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing HERE.

side view of a spinach salad with strawberries, goat cheese, red onions and pecans with a poppy seed dressing

HOW TO MAKE SPINACH SALAD WITH STRAWBERRIES (KEY TIPS)

hand holding a bowl of spinach salad with strawberries, nuts, onions and goat cheese

You can find full instructions for how to make this healthy Spinach Salad with Strawberries in the recipe card down below, but here are a few quick tips to keep in mind for this recipe:

Use fresh ingredients. Freshness definitely matters when it comes to salads as most of the time the ingredients are kept raw. Fresh is best and will absolutely make a difference in your overall salad!
Keep a close eye on the nuts while they’re toasting to ensure they don’t burn. Nuts can go from good to burnt in no time at all so keep stirring and check on them frequently. Once they start to brown, remove them from the heat.
Spread the ingredients out over top of the spinach for best results. I like to sprinkle them on in layers, so to speak. That way, you have a better chance of getting all of the ingredients in one bite. EXTRA TIP: When eating the salad, be sure to give it a thorough mix so all the ingredients are evenly distributed and coated in the dressing before enjoying.
Don’t put the dressing on too soon or you’ll run the risk of the salad losing it’s freshness and wilting. Instead, top the salad with the lemon poppy seed dressing just before serving or eating. EXTRA TIP: If you anticipate leftovers, don’t dress the entire salad all at once and store the dressing and salad in separate containers until ready to eat again.

salad with spinach, sliced strawberries, goat cheese, red onions and pecans, next to serving utensils, bowl of dressing and lemon

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT DRESSING SHOULD I USE FOR SPINACH STRAWBERRY SALAD?

This homemade Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing is honestly the perfect pairing for this Spinach Strawberry Salad! It adds the perfect citrusy notes, freshness and texture to the salad. It’s so easy to make with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand and it’s ready in just 10 minutes!

However, if you’re feeling something a little different try it with this Creamy Roasted Sesame Dressing or this healthy Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing instead!

HOW LONG DOES SPINACH SALAD WITH STRAWBERRIES LAST IN THE FRIDGE?

Because we’re using fresh ingredients, this salad is best if consumed immediately. However, if you have leftovers store them in an airtight container separate from the dressing. Keep them in the fridge and eat within a day as the juiciness of the strawberries and creaminess of the goat cheese will also contribute to the salad turning soggy over time. PRO TIP: If you anticipate leftovers, don’t dress the entire salad at once as the dressing will make the salad soggy the longer it sits. Instead, only dress what you’re going to eat and then store the leftover dressing and salad in separate containers to preserve freshness.

WHAT SHOULD I SERVE WITH THIS SPINACH STRAWBERRY SALAD?

If you’re looking to make this salad an even more hearty meal, try adding some protein on top before serving. Grilled or air fried chicken breasts, chickpeas, quinoa, parmesan crusted fish, pork skewers or hard boiled eggs are always great additions to any meal. A light soup such as this Keto Cauliflower Soup or 5 Minute Egg Drop Soup also pair really well with this salad.

side view of a spinach salad with strawberries, goat cheese, red onions and pecans

SPINACH SALAD WITH STRAWBERRIES RECIPE

Yield: 2 Servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

This Spinach Salad with Strawberries Recipe is perfect for those Summer months when it's too hot to turn on the oven or you don't feel like cooking! It's fast, fresh, flavourful and the perfect homemade poppy seed dressing sends it over the top!

Ingredients

For the Salad

8 ounces Baby Spinach (~8 cups)
1 cup Strawberries
1/2 cup Goat Cheese, crumbled
1/3 cup Red Onion, sliced
1/3 cup Fresh Basil, chopped
Desired Amount of Homemade Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing

For the Spicy Toasted Pecans and Almonds

1/3 cup Pecans
1/4 cup Slivered Almonds
1 tbsp Butter
1/4 tsp Cinnamon
1/4 tsp Cayenne
1/4 Salt

Instructions

Wash, dry, hull and thinly slice your strawberries.
In a small pan over medium heat, add the butter. Once frothy and melted, add the pecans, slivered almonds, cinnamon, cayenne and salt. Stir to combine. Cook, stirring frequently, until nice and toasted, about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool until ready to use.
Divide the spinach amongst two large bowls. Top with sliced strawberries, spicy toasted nuts, goat cheese, red onions, basil and desired amount of homemade Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing. Serve immediately.

Notes

Recipe for Poppy Seed Dressing can be found HERE.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 544Total Fat: 43gSaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 26gCholesterol: 44mgSodium: 626mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 9gSugar: 13gProtein: 20g

Nutrition is only an estimate and calculated using Nutritionix.