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Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad with Candied Pecans

fresh strawberry spinach salad - featured image
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A quick and easy salad combining tender baby spinach, juicy strawberries, crunchy homemade candied pecans, and a light, tangy poppy seed dressing. Perfect for a fresh, flavorful meal or side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups baby spinach (about 180 grams), washed and dried
  • 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced (about 300 grams)
  • 1 cup candied pecans (about 120 grams)
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
  • For the Poppy Seed Dressing:
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • For candied pecans:
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Candied Pecans (10 minutes): Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 cup of pecans, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Stir frequently until the sugar melts and coats the pecans, about 4-5 minutes. Spread pecans on parchment paper to cool.
  2. Prep the Salad Ingredients (5 minutes): Rinse and dry baby spinach thoroughly. Hull and slice strawberries. Thinly slice 1/4 cup red onion. Crumble 1/2 cup feta cheese if using.
  3. Make the Poppy Seed Dressing (5 minutes): In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon poppy seeds, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Adjust sweetness or acidity to taste.
  4. Assemble the Salad (2 minutes): In a large salad bowl, combine baby spinach, sliced strawberries, and red onion. Drizzle about half of the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat evenly.
  5. Finish and Serve: Sprinkle the candied pecans and crumbled feta over the salad just before serving. Serve immediately with remaining dressing on the side.

Notes

Toast pecans lightly before candying for extra flavor. Keep spinach dry to avoid sogginess. Add dressing just before serving to keep salad fresh. Candied pecans can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for up to a week. For vegan dressing, substitute mayonnaise with vegan mayo and honey with maple syrup. Use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for a lighter dressing. Adjust sweetness of dressing based on strawberry ripeness.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry spinach salad, candied pecans, poppy seed dressing, fresh salad, easy salad recipe, healthy salad, quick salad, vegetarian salad, gluten-free salad

Find it online: https://eliplate.com/fresh-strawberry-spinach-salad-with-candied-pecans-5-easy-steps-for-perfect-poppy-seed-dressing/