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Strawberry spinach salad with feta cheese, toasted pecans, and balsamic poppy seed dressing.

Strawberry Spinach Salad with Feta and Pecans

Alicia
A fresh strawberry spinach salad with toasted pecans, feta, red onion, and balsamic poppy seed dressing. Add grilled chicken, tofu, salmon, lentils, or hemp seeds if you want a higher-protein meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Healthy Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 280 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ¾ cup raw pecans
  • ½ small red onion, very thinly sliced
  • 10 ounces fresh baby spinach (or 50/50 arugula and spinach blend)
  • 1 quart strawberries, hulled and quartered (about 1 pound)
  • ¾ cup crumbled feta cheese
  • ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1½ tablespoons poppy seeds
  • 1½ tablespoons honey
  • ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread pecans on a baking sheet and toast 8-10 minutes until fragrant. Cool and chop.
    Toasted pecans baking on a sheet pan until golden and fragrant for strawberry spinach salad.
  • Soak red onion in cold water for 10 minutes, or up to 15 minutes if it still tastes sharp.
    Thinly sliced red onion soaking in cold water inside a small bowl before adding to salad.
  • Dry onion with paper towels.
  • In a small bowl, whisk balsamic vinegar, olive oil, poppy seeds, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
    Poppy seed dressing made with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, and poppy seeds.
  • In a large bowl, combine spinach, strawberries, feta, and chopped pecans.
    Strawberry spinach salad topped with feta cheese and toasted pecans, ready to serve.
  • Drain and dry the soaked onion, then add it to the bowl and toss gently.
  • Drizzle dressing over salad and toss evenly. Serve immediately or chill briefly.

Notes

Soaking technique keeps onion tender without sogginess
Use arugula for extra peppery contrast
Store leftovers in airtight container, separate from dressing for up to 24 hours
Double dressing recipe if serving as a main dish
Nutrition is estimated for the base salad only and excludes optional chicken, salmon, tofu, lentils, hemp seeds, avocado, or extra dressing.