STRAWBERRY AVOCADO SPINACH SALAD WITH POPPYSEED DRESSING

This fresh strawberry spinach salad recipe is combined with a creamy avocado, toasted nuts, the cheese of your choice, and a poppyseed dressing flavored with honey.

One of my all-time favorite salads to prepare at this time of year.

Nearly ten years have passed since I first posted this strawberry spinach salad recipe on Gimme Some Oven, but it's a timeless meal that I know I will continue to make for a very long time. Each spring when juicy ripe red strawberries return to season, this salad is always the first thing I want to make. It's made with tons of fresh strawberries, tender baby spinach, creamy avocado, toasted almonds, paper-thin red onions, crumbled blue cheese (or goat or feta), and my favorite lightly-sweetened honey poppyseed dressing. Additionally, it always tastes like a pleasure.

Of course, you are welcome to substitute your preferred type of cheese, nuts (or seeds), and greens. Additionally, grilled chicken, shrimp, or bacon are always delectable protein additions.

So while they are still in season, grab a pint of the luscious strawberries and let's prepare this stunning salad!

STRAWBERRY AVOCADO SPINACH SALAD WITH POPPYSEED DRESSING INGREDIENTS

SALAD INGREDIENTS:

• 6 cups fresh baby spinach
• 1 pint strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 1 avocado, peeled, pitted and diced
• 4 ounces crumbled blue cheese (or goat cheese or feta)
• 1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted
• half a small red onion, thinly sliced

POPPYSEED DRESSING INGREDIENTS:

• 1/3 cup avocado oil (or olive oil)
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• fine sea salt and freshly-ground black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Construct the dressing. Until emulsified, briskly whisk all of the ingredients in a small bowl (or shake in a closed container). If necessary, give it a taste test and add a pinch of salt and some pepper.
2. Shake the salad. In a big bowl, combine all the salad ingredients. Dressing should be drizzled evenly over the salad before being gently mixed.
3. Serve. Serve right away and delight in!

RECIPE VARIATIONS

If you'd like, you can use these suggestions to make this strawberry salad your own.

• Change up the fruit: In addition to or instead of the strawberries, this salad also tastes great with fresh blueberries, cherries, peaches, pears, or pomegranate arils.
• Use alternate nuts and seeds: Delicious alternatives to almonds include pistachios, walnuts, pecans (or candied pecans), pepitas, and sunflower seeds.
• Fennel can be added: I also enjoy adding some fennel, finely sliced, to this salad.
• Veganize it: If you want to make this a vegan strawberry salad, use your preferred vegan cheese or eliminate the cheese entirely.