Delightful Strawberry Spinach Salad with Homemade Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

You absolutely can’t go wrong with this refreshing strawberry spinach salad, elevated to perfection with our incredible homemade creamy poppy seed dressing. It’s a culinary triumph for any occasion!

Prepare to be enchanted by a salad that’s not just bright and fresh, but exceptionally delicious. While the crisp spinach, sweet strawberries, and crunchy almonds create a delightful symphony of textures and flavors, it’s truly the dressing that steals the show. Apologies to those beautiful ingredients, even you, little delightful crispy wonton strips – the facts speak for themselves. This dressing is simply legendary.

As we prepared for the upcoming Easter holiday, I yearned for a new, exciting salad that would stand out. Without a doubt, this Strawberry Spinach Salad with its signature creamy poppy seed dressing has earned its rightful place on our Easter dinner menu. Its vibrant colors and fresh taste make it an ideal centerpiece for any spring celebration or gathering.

The Perfect Harmony: Spinach, Strawberries, and More

If you haven’t yet discovered the magic, let me assure you: strawberries and spinach are a match made in culinary heaven. The tender, earthy notes of fresh baby spinach perfectly complement the juicy sweetness and slight tartness of ripe strawberries. This combination isn’t just a treat for your taste buds; it’s a powerhouse of nutrition, offering a rich source of vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber.

To elevate these colorful beauties even further, we introduce the delightful crunch of toasted slivered almonds. Toasting the almonds brings out their natural nutty flavor and adds an irresistible textural contrast that makes every bite interesting. Once you drizzle this divine creamy poppy seed dressing over the ensemble, you unlock a flavor experience that is truly a winner, guaranteed to impress anyone who tastes it.

For those who truly want to explore new depths of texture and flavor, consider adding delicate, crispy wonton strips. These thin, airy crisps introduce a savory, slightly salty element and a wonderful shatter-crisp texture that transforms the salad into something extraordinary. They’re surprisingly easy to prepare at home and add a gourmet touch that will make your guests wonder if you secretly hired a chef!

The Star of the Show: Our Homemade Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

Now, let’s dedicate a moment to the true star of this recipe: the homemade creamy poppy seed dressing. I spent considerable time perfecting this recipe, driven by a desire to create a lighter, yet equally flavorful, alternative to the rich, mayo-based dressings that are often found on similar salads. While I appreciate mayonnaise in certain dishes, I aimed for a dressing that felt fresh and vibrant, both in taste and calorie count.

The result is nothing short of thrilling. By incorporating plain Greek yogurt, we achieve a wonderful creaminess without the heaviness. The yogurt’s subtle tang perfectly balances the sweet and tart notes from the other ingredients, creating a dressing that is undeniably delicious and far more refreshing. Greek yogurt also brings the added benefits of protein and probiotics, making this dressing a healthier choice you can feel good about.

Some might worry that mixing yogurt with vinegar could lead to a “curdled” texture. But fear not! The key to a perfectly smooth and emulsified dressing is vigorous shaking. Simply combine all the dressing ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid, and shake, shake, shake! Shake it until your heart’s content – really give it a good workout! This ensures everything combines beautifully, resulting in a silky-smooth dressing every time. While a blender can also work, remember to add the poppy seeds at the very end to maintain their delicate texture and avoid pulverizing them.

You’ll find this dressing is slightly thinner than many commercial or mayonnaise-based creamy poppy seed dressings, but don’t let that deceive you. Its perfectly balanced sweetness, bright tanginess, and luxurious creaminess will absolutely win you over. It’s truly an addictive dressing that enhances every component of the salad without overpowering it.

And here’s a little secret: while it’s stellar on this spinach and strawberry combination, this versatile creamy poppy seed dressing is also incredibly delicious on almost any other salad you can imagine. Experiment with it on mixed greens, fruit salads, or even as a light dip. However, if you’re aiming for that “stellar salad of the year euphoria,” I wholeheartedly recommend starting right here with this incredible spinach and strawberry creation.

Tips for a Stellar Salad Experience

Selecting the Best Ingredients

• Spinach: Always opt for fresh, crisp baby spinach. Its tender leaves are perfect for salads and absorb the dressing beautifully. Wash and dry it thoroughly to prevent a watery salad.
• Strawberries: Choose ripe, vibrant red strawberries that are firm and fragrant. Fresh strawberries are key for the best flavor and texture in this salad.
• Almonds: Slivered almonds toast quickly and provide a delicate crunch. You can also use sliced or chopped almonds, but slivered are often preferred for their elegant appearance.
• Greek Yogurt: Use plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt. Full-fat or low-fat varieties will work, but full-fat will give a richer, creamier dressing. If using non-Greek plain yogurt, be sure to drain off any excess whey/liquid as noted in the recipe to maintain consistency.

Crafting Crispy Wonton Strips (Optional but Highly Recommended!)

Adding fried wonton strips is a game-changer for this salad, introducing a delightful crunch and savory element. Here’s how to make them easily at home:

1. Heat about 1/2 cup of vegetable or canola oil in a stainless steel skillet over medium-high heat. The oil is ready when it shimmers and a tiny piece of wonton wrapper sizzles immediately upon contact.
2. Cut small, square wonton wrappers into thin strips (about 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide).
3. Carefully place a handful of wonton strips into the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the skillet.
4. Fry until golden brown and crisp, usually 20-30 seconds per side. They cook very quickly, so watch them closely!
5. Remove the fried strips with a slotted spoon and transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Lightly sprinkle with a pinch of salt while still warm.
6. Allow them to cool completely before adding them to the salad to maintain their crispness. Store any leftover strips in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a few days.

The Recipe: Spinach Strawberry Salad with Homemade Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

Spinach Strawberry Salad with Homemade Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

Yield:

6
Servings

Prep Time:

15
mins

Total Time:

15
mins

4.62 stars (13 ratings)

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Ingredients

Salad:

• 
  6-7
  cups
  
  fresh baby spinach
• 
  2-3
  cups
  
  sliced strawberries
• 
  ½
  cup
  
  toasted slivered almonds
• Optional: fried wonton strips

Dressing:

• 
  ¼
  cup
  
  granulated sugar
• 
  3
  tablespoons
  
  apple cider vinegar
• 
  1
  tablespoon
  
  olive oil
• 
  ⅔
  cup
  
  plain Greek yogurt (see note)
• 
  1 ½
  teaspoons
  
  poppy seeds

Instructions

• For the salad, place the fresh baby spinach in a large bowl. Artfully arrange or gently toss with the sliced strawberries and toasted slivered almonds.
• For the dressing, combine the granulated sugar, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, and plain Greek yogurt in a jar. Close tightly with a lid and shake vigorously until all ingredients are well combined and the dressing is smooth. Alternatively, you may use a blender for the liquid ingredients, then stir in the poppy seeds by hand at the end to maintain their integrity.
• Dress the salad just before serving by tossing it lightly with the homemade poppy seed dressing. For those who prefer, the dressing can also be served on the side. The dressing, when well-covered and refrigerated, will maintain its freshness for at least a week. If desired, garnish the salad with the crispy fried wonton strips just before serving.
• To prepare the optional fried wontons: Heat about 1/2 cup of vegetable or canola oil in a stainless steel skillet over medium-high heat until hot. You can test a small piece of wonton wrapper to ensure it sizzles. Cut small, square wonton wrappers into thin strips. Fry the strips in the hot oil until they are golden brown and crisp, typically 20-30 seconds per side. Remove them from the oil and place on a paper-towel lined plate to drain. Sprinkle very lightly with salt. Allow them to cool completely before using as a topping for the salad.

Notes

Yogurt: If plain Greek yogurt is unavailable, you may substitute it with regular plain yogurt. However, regular yogurt is often thinner, so we recommend straining off any excess whey/liquid beforehand to ensure the dressing maintains its desired creamy consistency.

Author:
Mel

Course:
Salad

Cuisine:
American

Method:
No-Bake

Serving:
1
Serving

,

Calories:
146
kcal

,

Carbohydrates:
16
g

,

Protein:
5
g

,

Fat:
7
g

,

Saturated Fat:
1
g

,

Cholesterol:
1
mg

,

Sodium:
33
mg

,

Fiber:
3
g

,

Sugar:
12
g

Recipe Source: Mel’s Kitchen Cafe

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