Strawberry Spinach Salad
User Reviews
5
Strawberry Spinach Salad
Description
This salad features a base of baby spinach layered with juicy sliced strawberries and thinly sliced red onion for brightness. Chopped, crisp bacon introduces savory depth, and crumbled feta cheese adds a creamy, salty contrast. The candied pecans are prepared by cooking chopped pecans in melted sugar until coated and slightly caramelized, then dusted with cinnamon for warmth and extra sweetness.
The creamy poppy seed dressing is made from a blend of mayonnaise, milk, sugar, apple cider vinegar, neutral oil, poppy seeds, and a pinch of salt, shaken or whisked until smooth. It brings a balanced sweetness and tang that complements the fresh and savory ingredients. The salad presents a variety of textures from soft leaves and juicy fruit to crunchy nuts and bacon.
This salad is versatile for lunch or a side dish. Using higher-fat milk enriches the dressing, while substituting some mayonnaise for Greek yogurt adds tang and protein with slightly less richness. For convenience, real bacon bits can be quickly microwaved as an alternative to frying bacon strips at home.
Ingredients
- 6 cups baby spinach leaves
- 1 pound strawberries sliced
- ¼ red onion thinly sliced
- 6 Bacon cooked til crisp and chopped - see note!, strips
- ⅓ cup feta cheese crumbled
Candied nuts
- ½ cup pecans roughly chopped, or walnuts
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Poppy seed dressing
- ⅔ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup milk see note
- 6 tablespoons sugar
- 2 ½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon neutral cooking oil generic cooking oil
- 4 teaspoons poppy seeds
- salt pinch
Instructions
Prepare the dressing
- Combine all dressing ingredients and shake (if in a sealed jar) or whisk vigorously.
Prepare the candied nuts
- Place a skillet over medium heat. Add sugar to the pan and stir 3-5 minutes until sugar starts to dissolve. Once dissolved, stir in the chopped nuts til coated. Transfer to a plate to cool and sprinkle with cinnamon.
Assemble salad
- In a large bowl or serving platter, combine spinach, strawberries, onions, bacon, and cheese.
- Serve salad with prepared dressing. Enjoy!
Notes
- To add bacon flavor and crunch without kitchen mess, microwave 1/3 cup real bacon bits on a paper-towel-lined plate for 20-30 seconds and cool before adding to the salad.
- Using milk with higher fat content will yield a richer, creamier poppy seed dressing.
- Substituting some mayonnaise with Greek yogurt increases protein and reduces calories, creating a tangier dressing with less richness.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 493 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 493kcal | 25% |
| Carbohydrates | 31g | 10% |
| Protein | 8g | 16% |
| Fat | 39g | 60% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 31mg | 10% |
| Sodium | 413mg | 17% |
| Potassium | 419mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 27g | 54% |
| Vitamin A | 2884IU | 58% |
| Vitamin C | 53mg | 59% |
| Calcium | 105mg | 11% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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