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Fresh Summer Berry Spinach Salad Recipe with Sweet Poppy Seed Dressing

fresh summer berry spinach salad - featured image
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A quick, tasty, and fresh salad combining baby spinach, mixed berries, and a creamy sweet poppy seed dressing. Perfect for summer gatherings and easy to prepare in under 20 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups (180g) fresh baby spinach, washed and dried
  • 1 ½ cups (225g) mixed fresh berries (strawberries sliced, blueberries, raspberries)
  • ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
  • ½ cup (75g) crumbled feta cheese
  • ¼ cup (30g) toasted sliced almonds
  • ½ cup (120ml) mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Rinse 6 cups (180g) of baby spinach under cold water. Use a salad spinner or pat dry thoroughly with kitchen towels to prevent sogginess.
  2. Hull and slice 1 cup of strawberries into thin slices. Rinse ½ cup blueberries and ½ cup raspberries gently. Thinly slice ¼ cup of red onion. Set aside.
  3. Heat a small skillet over medium heat and toast ¼ cup (30g) sliced almonds, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant—about 3 minutes. Remove immediately to cool.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together ½ cup (120ml) mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, and 1 tablespoon poppy seeds. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Whisk until smooth and creamy.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the dried spinach, sliced berries, and red onion. Drizzle about ¾ of the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat. Add more dressing if needed for light, even coverage.
  6. Sprinkle crumbled feta (½ cup/75g) and toasted almonds on top. Give the salad one last gentle toss or leave the nuts and cheese on top for presentation.
  7. Serve immediately for best freshness. If preparing ahead, keep dressing separate and toss just before serving.

Notes

Dry spinach thoroughly to prevent soggy salad. Adjust honey and vinegar in dressing to taste. Toast almonds carefully to avoid burning. Toss gently to keep berries intact. Dressing can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in fridge. Use frozen berries if fresh are unavailable, thaw and drain well. For dairy-free, substitute feta with avocado and mayonnaise with vegan mayo or dairy-free yogurt.

Nutrition

Keywords: summer salad, spinach salad, berry salad, poppy seed dressing, healthy salad, quick salad, fresh salad, easy salad recipe

Find it online: https://forkifyfun.com/fresh-summer-berry-spinach-salad-recipe-with-sweet-poppy-seed-dressing-easy-and-delicious/