Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing
This Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing is the perfect blend of fresh flavors, making it a delightful addition to any meal. It’s quick to prepare and can be enjoyed as a side dish or a light lunch. Ideal for picnics, barbecues, or even as a refreshing starter at dinner parties, this salad stands out with its vibrant colors and deliciously creamy dressing.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This salad takes just 15 minutes to make, allowing you to whip up something healthy in no time.
- Fresh and Flavorful: The combination of strawberries, avocado, and spinach creates a burst of flavors that tantalize your taste buds.
- Versatile Dish: Perfect for various occasions, this salad can be served as an appetizer, a side dish, or even a light lunch.
- Nutritious Ingredients: Packed with vitamins and minerals from fresh produce, it’s great for your health.
- Customizable Options: Feel free to swap ingredients like cheese or nuts based on your preferences.
Tools and Preparation
To prepare this Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing, you’ll need some essential tools.
Essential Tools and Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk (or jar for shaking)
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
Importance of Each Tool
- Mixing bowl: Allows you to combine all ingredients easily without spilling.
- Whisk: Perfect for emulsifying the dressing quickly; ensures all flavors blend well.
- Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for chopping fruits and vegetables efficiently.
Ingredients
This delicious Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad is quick and easy to make, full of great fresh flavors, and tossed with a simple poppyseed dressing.
For the Salad
- 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
For the Dressing
- 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
How to Make Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing
Step 1: Prepare the Dressing
Whisk all ingredients together vigorously in a small bowl until emulsified. You can also shake them in a covered jar. Taste the dressing and season it with a pinch of salt and freshly-ground pepper as needed.
Step 2: Combine the Salad Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine all of the salad ingredients. Drizzle evenly with the prepared dressing.
Step 3: Toss and Serve
Gently toss the salad until everything is combined well. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture. Enjoy!
How to Serve Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing
This vibrant Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad is perfect for a light lunch or as a refreshing side dish. With its colorful ingredients and delightful flavors, it can elevate any meal. Here are some serving suggestions to enhance your dining experience.
As a Standalone Lunch
- Enjoy it on its own for a nutritious and satisfying lunch that is both filling and refreshing.
Pair with Grilled Chicken
- Add slices of grilled chicken breast on top to make this salad a complete meal rich in protein.
Serve with Crusty Bread
- Offer slices of crusty bread or rolls on the side to soak up the delicious poppyseed dressing.
Accompany with Soup
- This salad pairs well with a warm bowl of soup, such as tomato basil or butternut squash, for a comforting meal.
Top with Nuts or Seeds
- For an extra crunch, sprinkle some toasted walnuts or sunflower seeds on top just before serving.
Include Fresh Herbs
- Garnish with fresh herbs like basil or mint for an aromatic touch that enhances the flavor profile.
How to Perfect Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing
To ensure your Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad is always at its best, follow these simple tips.
- Use fresh ingredients: Opt for fresh, organic spinach and ripe avocados to maximize flavor and nutrition.
- Adjust sweetness: Modify the amount of honey in the dressing based on your taste preference—more honey for sweetness or less for tanginess.
- Toast almonds: Lightly toast the sliced almonds in a dry skillet to bring out their nutty flavor before adding them to the salad.
- Dress just before serving: To keep the salad crisp, add the dressing only when you are ready to serve to prevent wilting.
Best Side Dishes for Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing
Pairing side dishes with your Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad can create a well-rounded meal. Here are some delicious options to consider.
- Grilled Shrimp Skewers: Marinated shrimp grilled to perfection adds protein and pairs beautifully with the salad’s flavors.
- Quinoa Pilaf: A fluffy quinoa pilaf with herbs makes for a hearty side that complements the freshness of the salad.
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes: Sweet potatoes roasted until crispy add a sweet contrast that balances the tangy dressing.
- Garlic Breadsticks: Warm garlic breadsticks offer a comforting accompaniment that everyone loves.
- Fruit Platter: A colorful fruit platter featuring seasonal fruits provides additional freshness and sweetness alongside the salad.
- Cheese Platter: A selection of cheeses like brie and cheddar can enhance the overall taste experience while offering variety.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Making a Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing can be easy, but there are common mistakes that can affect the overall flavor and texture. Here’s how to avoid them.
- Skipping Fresh Ingredients: Using wilted or old spinach and fruit can ruin your salad. Always choose fresh, vibrant ingredients for the best taste.
- Overdressing Your Salad: Adding too much dressing can make the salad soggy. Start with a little and add more as needed for balance.
- Not Toasting Nuts: Toasted almonds enhance flavor significantly. Always toast your nuts before adding them to elevate your salad.
- Ignoring Seasoning: Failing to season the dressing properly can lead to blandness. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper before serving.
- Cutting Ingredients Too Early: Slicing strawberries or avocado too far in advance can lead to browning. Prepare ingredients just before assembling for freshness.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Refrigerator Storage
- Store leftovers in an airtight container.
- Consume within 2-3 days for optimal freshness.
Freezing Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing
- Freezing is not recommended, as the texture of spinach and avocado may suffer once thawed.
- Consider freezing just the dressing separately if needed.
Reheating Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing
- Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Place salad in a baking dish and heat for about 10 minutes, but this may alter the salad’s fresh quality.
- Microwave: Warm in short bursts of 20 seconds until desired temperature is reached; however, this is not ideal for salads.
- Stovetop: Heat on low in a skillet just until warm; avoid overcooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about making a delicious Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing.
Can I use other greens instead of spinach?
Yes! You can substitute kale or mixed greens for a different flavor profile while maintaining freshness.
What fruits pair well with this salad?
In addition to strawberries, try adding blueberries or raspberries for extra sweetness and color.
How do I make this salad vegan?
To make the Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing vegan, omit cheese or use a plant-based alternative.
Can I prepare this salad in advance?
While you can prep ingredients ahead of time, assemble just before serving to keep everything crisp.
What should I serve with this salad?
This salad pairs well with grilled chicken or fish for a complete meal or as a light side dish at gatherings.
Final Thoughts
This Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing is not only quick and easy but also versatile. You can customize it by adding proteins like chicken or shrimp, or additional toppings like nuts and seeds. Try it out today, and enjoy its fresh flavors!
Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: Serves approximately 4 people 1x
Description
Indulge in the refreshing flavors of this Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing. This vibrant salad is a perfect blend of fresh baby spinach, sweet strawberries, creamy avocado, and crunchy toasted almonds, all drizzled with a delightful homemade poppyseed dressing. Ideal for light lunches, picnics, or as an elegant starter at dinner parties, this dish is not only quick to prepare but also packed with nutrients. In just 15 minutes, you can whip up a colorful, healthy salad that will impress your guests and tantalize your taste buds.
Ingredients
- 6 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 pint strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1 avocado, diced
- 4 ounces crumbled blue cheese (or goat cheese or feta)
- 1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted
- 1/3 cup avocado oil (or olive oil)
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing by whisking together the avocado oil, red wine vinegar, honey, poppy seeds, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
- In a large bowl, combine spinach, strawberries, avocado, cheese, and toasted almonds.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine.
- Serve immediately for the freshest taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: N/A
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (150g)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
