This salad is seriously delicious.
It is so simple…strawberries, spinach, and almonds with a sweet and tangy balsamic poppy seed dressing. Adjust the amount of sugar in your dressing to taste – I like it very sweet!
Especially this time of year, when strawberries are in season, it’s not an expensive salad to make, either! It’s great to take to potlucks or dinner parties. You’ll always come home with an empty bowl!
Make the dressing ahead of time. I put it all together in the food processor to chop up the onions really finely. I am NOT a fan of raw onions…but I LOVE this dressing! Definitely don’t omit the onions. Also, don’t dress the salad until right before you’re ready to serve it, so the spinach doesn’t get soggy and wilted.
Extra dressing can be kept in the fridge – it keeps well!
I love to make the dressing ahead of time, keep the ingredients in the fridge separately, and toss them all together in a single serving for a quick and yummy lunch.
Be creative with the toppings. You could use crumbled walnuts in place of almonds, add some feta or gorganzola cheese…whatever you like!
This recipe is adapted from the AllRecipes.com recipe here.
Ingredients
2 T sesame seeds
1 T poppy seeds
1/4-1/2 c. sugar (to taste)
1/2 c. olive oil
1/4 c. balsamic vinegar
1/4 t Worcestershire sauce
1/2 small onion
10 oz. fresh baby spinach
1 qt strawberries - hulled & sliced
1/4 c. sliced or slivered almonds
Instructions
- Combine olive oil, vinegar, onion, and Worcestershire sauce in blender or food processor. Combine until onion is minced and dressing is well mixed.
- Whisk in the sesame and poppy seeds.
- Cover and chill for at least 1 hr or until ready to serve.
- In a large bowl, combine the spinach, strawberries, and almonds.
- Pour dressing over the salad and toss.
- Serve immediately.
Take a peek at these great link parties where you might find this post linked up!
Also at Homestories A to Z
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If this tastes half as good as it looks I’m sure it is delicious! I only just last night put strawberries in a salad to use them up, but loved it! Fruit goes unexpectantly well in salads. The almonds would be perfect too! Yummy!! xx
Yes, fruit is really yummy in salad…strawberries and spinach go especially well together…but it’s the dressing that really makes it incredible! I think it would be great with mandarin oranges, too!
My Grandma makes this salad every summer! It is DEFINITELY a family favorite! Whenever I’m asked what I want to eat at Grandma’s house, THIS is what I choose!!!! :) Hope yours was just as DELICIOUS!!!!
This salad looks perfect for a summer lunch! Saw your post over @ Someday Crafts. Please visit me sometime!
I love these type of salads! They are so easy and tasty. Reminds me Zupas!
Thanks for sharing would love for you stop over at my blog when you get a chance!
This looks great. I can’t wait to try it. Maybe I can get my picky kids to eat spinach if it is a little bit sweet.
It looks amazing!!
Ohh….that looks so refreshing and delicious.
KC
I love a good spinach salad, and this looks so good! Thanks for linking it up at The Better Half, and I hope you’ll come back for this weeks link party too.
Meredith, this salad sounds awesome! I love strawberry season because of these types of salads. YUM! The dressing looks delicious too, I’m always try to find new ones so thanks! I am going to feature this salad on Monday at my Summer Salad Roundup! :)
Thanks Krista! The dressing is SO good…you will love it!
Nothing screams summer like fresh berries, and this salad is mouth-watering!!
[…] Strawberry Spinach Salad by Meredith @ UnOriginal Mom […]
This salad looks absolutely fantastic. I’d love for you to share it over at my link party :D
http://thevelvetmoonbaker.blogspot.ie/2013/05/sweet-savoury-sunday-13.html
This is my fave kind of salad! I would love for you to share at my party!
http://www.piggyinpolkadots.com/2013/05/party-in-polka-dots-link-party-24.html
Shelley
Yummy! I could live on this kind of salad in the summer months!! Thanks for sharing at Monday Funday!! Hope your day is Extraordinary!
Thanks Diane! Yes, this is one salad I never get tired of eating leftovers from!
This salad looks awesome, Meredith! I shared this on Google+ today :-) Thank you for sharing at our ALL MY BLOGGY FRIENDS party !
yum! I had a version of this for lunch. Thanks for linking up to Tasteful Tuesdays at Nap-Time Creations. This will be featured this weekend at my Fun Summer Ideas round up… come on over and check it out. Be sure to grab a featured button to proudly display as well! Emily @ Nap-Time Creations
Thanks so much for visiting and for the feature, Emily!
This looks amazing! Thanks for sahring at Monday Funday! ;)
[…] Strawberry Spinach Salad by Unoriginal Mom […]
[…] Strawberry Spinach Salad by Unoriginal Mom […]
[…] Strawberry Spinach Salad by Unoriginal Mom […]
One of my favs! Thank you for sharing. You will be one of the features tomorrow at the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Pop on in and grab a feature button for your blog. Hope to see your prettiness again at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Thanks so much for the feature, Kathryn!
Hi Meredith! I make a similar salad, but with a different type of dressing, so I’m anxious to try yours out. Found you through Mostly Homemade Mom’s 5/15 link party – thanks for sharing!
Sherry from WhoNeedsACape.com
[…] Strawberry Spinach Salad from UNORIGINALMOM} What are your favorite salads and side dishes during the summer months? I […]
[…] Strawberry Spinach Salad by Unoriginal Mom […]
Oh my word, I am SO trying this out! Thanks for re-sharing on Facebook – – especially since I missed it the first time around.
[…] made one of my favorite salads; Strawberry Spinach Salad. To get the recipe, head on over to Unoriginal Mom. […]