This Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing is a sweet, tangy, and creamy delight inspired by Cafe Zupas. It combines fresh baby spinach, juicy strawberries, tangy goat cheese, and crunchy toasted almonds, all topped with a vibrant pink homemade poppyseed dressing. Chopping the spinach ensures every bite is fork-friendly, and the blend of flavors makes this salad perfect for brunches, Easter, or any springtime meal.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Dressing:

• ½ cup apple cider vinegar

• 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder

• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

• 1 tablespoon poppyseeds

• ¾ cup granulated sugar

• ¼ small red onion (about ¼ cup)

• 1 cup olive oil (light-flavored or vegetable oil)

For the Salad:

• 16 oz baby spinach, chopped if desired

• 2 lbs strawberries, sliced (about 6 cups)

• 8 oz goat cheese, crumbled

• ¾ small red onion, thinly sliced

• 2 cups sliced almonds, toasted

Directions

1. Make the Dressing: In a blender, combine vinegar, mustard powder, salt, poppyseeds, sugar, and red onion. Blend until smooth. While blending, slowly add the oil to emulsify. Pour into a container and set aside.

2. Toast the Almonds: Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread almonds in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 4–7 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes until lightly golden. Cool completely.

3. Prep the Salad: Chop spinach if desired. Slice strawberries and red onion. Crumble goat cheese with a fork.

4. Assemble: In a large bowl, combine spinach, strawberries, onion, and goat cheese. Add toasted almonds last for garnish.

5. Dress & Serve: Add dressing just before serving to avoid wilting. Toss lightly and serve immediately.

Nutrients

Estimated per serving:

• Calories: 390 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 24g

• Protein: 9g

• Fat: 31g

• Saturated Fat: 6g

• Fiber: 5g

• Sugar: 17g

• Vitamin A: 3749 IU

• Vitamin C: 54mg

• Calcium: 131mg

• Iron: 2mg

The Power of Ingredient Pairing

This salad is a masterclass in pairing ingredients with contrasting textures and flavors. The strawberries are naturally sweet and juicy, offering a bright pop in every bite. Baby spinach provides a mild, earthy base that’s rich in nutrients and tender enough to eat raw. The red onion slices introduce a sharpness that balances the sweetness, while goat cheese adds creaminess and a tangy punch. Toasted almonds give a satisfying crunch and a nutty warmth, rounding out the profile. Each forkful offers a unique combination of these elements, which makes this salad not only satisfying but also exciting to eat.

The Dressing That Ties It All Together

What truly elevates this salad is the homemade poppyseed dressing. Creamy, sweet, tangy, and slightly peppery from the dry mustard and red onion, this dressing brings the entire salad together in a single, harmonious flavor. Apple cider vinegar gives it a lively bite, balanced by sugar for sweetness. The red onion adds depth, while the poppyseeds lend a subtle crunch and eye-catching speckled finish. Unlike many store-bought versions that rely on preservatives or artificial thickeners, this dressing is completely homemade—and it shows in both texture and taste.

Blending for a Creamy Emulsion

One of the secrets to the dressing’s luxurious consistency is the method of blending. By combining the vinegar, mustard powder, salt, sugar, onion, and poppyseeds first, then slowly drizzling in the oil while the blender is running, you create an emulsified dressing that’s rich but not heavy. This technique results in a silky finish that clings beautifully to the salad ingredients, enhancing each one without overpowering their natural flavors. The addition of red onion not only brings a subtle bite but also lends the dressing its gorgeous pale pink hue—perfect for spring presentation.

Spinach: The Nutrient-Dense Base

Baby spinach is the ideal green for this salad, offering a neutral, tender backdrop for the bolder ingredients. It’s packed with vitamins A, C, and K, along with iron, calcium, and fiber, making this salad as healthy as it is flavorful. Chopping the spinach beforehand ensures a fork-friendly experience, eliminating the need to struggle with large, unwieldy leaves. Whether you prefer your spinach finely chopped or left whole, its versatility and nutritional value make it a fantastic choice for any salad.

Strawberries: Sweet, Juicy, and Antioxidant-Rich

Strawberries are more than just a delicious fruit—they’re a source of vitamin C, manganese, and powerful antioxidants. Their natural sweetness balances the acidity of the dressing and the tang of the goat cheese, creating harmony throughout the dish. Slicing them thinly maximizes their flavor distribution and ensures that every bite of salad includes their fruity brightness.

Goat Cheese: Creamy, Tangy, and Decadent

Crumbled goat cheese adds richness and a touch of luxury to this otherwise light dish. Its soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture contrasts beautifully with the crunch of almonds and the firmness of the strawberries. The slight acidity of the cheese helps balance the sweetness of the fruit and dressing, making it an integral part of the salad’s success. For those who prefer a milder cheese, feta can be used as a substitute, offering a similar texture with a slightly saltier profile.

Toasted Almonds: The Essential Crunch Factor

No great salad is complete without some element of crunch, and in this recipe, toasted almonds provide exactly that. Toasting the almonds enhances their natural nutty flavor and creates a crisp texture that stands up well against the softer ingredients. Whether you choose slivered, sliced, or roughly chopped almonds, their presence adds dimension and helps make the salad feel more substantial.

Perfect for Every Occasion—from Elegant to Everyday

This salad’s versatility is one of its greatest strengths. It’s elegant enough to serve at weddings, Easter brunches, or baby showers, yet simple and approachable enough for weekday lunches or quick dinners. Serve it alongside grilled chicken, salmon, or quiche for a complete meal. For a protein-packed version, add sliced grilled chicken breast or chickpeas directly into the salad. It’s also a great dish to bring to potlucks or picnics—just keep the dressing separate until ready to serve to prevent sogginess.

Meal-Prep Friendly and Great for Leftovers

While this salad is best dressed just before serving, the components can easily be prepared ahead of time. Slice the strawberries, toast the almonds, and blend the dressing up to a few days in advance. Store each element separately in the fridge and assemble right before eating. If you’re making a big batch, consider dressing individual portions to maintain maximum freshness. The dressing will keep for about a week refrigerated, making it a handy option to have on hand for other salads or grain bowls.

Nutritionally Balanced for Everyday Enjoyment

Each serving of this Strawberry Spinach Salad offers a balance of macronutrients and essential vitamins. With about 390 calories per serving, it’s satisfying without being heavy. The healthy fats from almonds and olive oil help keep you full, while the protein from cheese and nuts supports energy. The fiber-rich spinach and strawberries promote digestion, and the dressing, though sweet, is homemade and free of preservatives. It’s a salad that feels indulgent yet supports a balanced lifestyle.

Conclusion

Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing is more than just a seasonal dish—it’s a year-round favorite that brings together freshness, flavor, and vibrant presentation. With juicy strawberries, creamy goat cheese, and a luscious homemade dressing, it’s a recipe that’s both visually stunning and incredibly satisfying to eat. Whether you’re preparing a festive brunch, looking for a beautiful side for a special occasion, or simply treating yourself to a nourishing lunch, this salad will brighten your table and your taste buds every time. It’s colorful, crave-worthy, and destined to be a new staple in your salad repertoire.