Strawberry Salad is loaded with fresh, colorful, flavor-packed ingredients that taste just like summer! Strawberries, blueberries, fresh spring green and more all tossed with an easy homemade Strawberry Poppyseed Dressing.
There is no better summer side dish for grilled meals or a light dinner than salad.
This Strawberry Salad recipe takes your salad game up a notch.
Full of fresh greens, fruit, vegetables, creamy salty goat cheese, crisp spicy red onions and more!
The easy homemade Strawberry Poppy Seed Dressing is fast to make too.
This is a favorite summer salad that kids and adults love!
Salad Recipe Ingredients
- Mixed Spring Lettuce
- fresh Strawberries
- fresh Blueberries
- Red Onion
- Cucumber
- Goat Cheese
- Pecans
Strawberry Poppy Seed Dressing
This delicious fresh salad dressing is perfect for this salad.
It’s full of fresh, sweet flavor you’ll love.
- fresh Strawberries
- Lemon Juice
- Lemon Zest
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Granulated Sugar
- Olive Oil
- Poppy seeds
- Salt
How Much Does it Make?
The yield of the salad dressing is 1 cup. There is plenty to add as much dressing as you want to the strawberry salad.
Use any leftovers on other salads or fresh greens.
Is the Dressing Sweet?
The dressing is sweet. Between the natural sweetness of the ripe strawberries and the sugar it’s sweet to the taste.
When tossed onto the salad it’s not overly sweet but rather adds a natural vinaigrette and strawberry flavor.
Variations
The flavors in this salad are perfect as is. However there are many ways to change it up too!
Here are some favorites:
Chopped Bacon – add a 1/4 cup of cooked, chopped bacon for some salty, smoky flavors.
Sliced or Shredded Chicken – add some more protein with sliced or shredded chicken.
Change up the Greens – a classic version of this salad is Strawberry Spinach Salad made with spinach and strawberries. Use fresh baby spinach instead of mixed greens for a different twist.
Add salted roasted nuts – trying chopping up some smoked almonds, roasted pistachios or salted sunflower seeds instead of pecans. Try toasted pecans or toasted almonds.
If you like tangy ingredients substitute pickled red onions for the plain red onions.
Add dried cranberries or raisins.
Add some sliced hard boiled eggs.
How to Make it – Step-by-Step
STEP 1: Make the Poppyseed Dressing. Add all ingredients into the blender and process until smooth (photos 1-2).
STEP 2: Combine the salad ingredients in a large serving bowl (photo 3). Toss together. Chill salad (without dressing) until ready to serve.
Adding the Dressing
If serving the entire salad, pour on desired amount of dressing, toss and serve (photo 4).
If only serving part of the salad follow the Pro Tips below for best results.
Pro Tips
Rinse Strawberries Just Before Using them
Ripe strawberries go bad quickly. Rinsing them and keeping them in the refrigerator makes them go bad more quickly.
Rinse the strawberries just before using them and pat them dry with a paper towel.
Use a Strawberry Huller
A strawberry huller makes quick work of removing the strawberry stem but keeping as much fruit intact for eating.
It’s a better choice than cutting the strawberry across the top, taking delicious fruit.
OR spending double the time gently cutting out the stems with a paring knife.
Add the Dressing Just Before Serving
To keep the salad from becoming soggy only add the dressing just before serving.
Only add Dressing to Portions being Immediately Served
If you won’t be serving the entire salad recipe, don’t add dressing to leftover salad. Store the salad in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
Store the dressing separately in a sealed jar. Add the dressing just before serving the leftover portions.
Storing Leftovers
The salad is best served freshly made.
Leftover salad without dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.
The Strawberry Poppy Seed Dressing can be kept in a sealed container for up to 1 week in the refrigerator.
More Salad Recipes You’ll Love!
- Chickpea Salad
- Pancetta and Pea Salad
- Watermelon Goat Cheese Salad
- Chicken Salad
- Easy Instant Pot Potato Salad
- Chinese Chicken Salad
- Italian Pasta Salad
Try these Strawberry Recipes too!
- Strawberry Vodka
- Happy Day Cake with Strawberry Whipped Cream Frosting
- Strawberry Cake
- Easy Strawberry Jam
- Strawberry Stuffed French Toast
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Recipe
Strawberry Salad + fresh Strawberry Poppy Seed Dressing
Ingredients
Salad
- 5.5 ounce container Spring Mix Lettuce equivalent to aproximately 7 cups
- 1 ½ cups chopped Strawberries
- 1 cup Blueberries
- 1/3 cup Red onion sliced or chopped
- 1 cup peeled, chopped Cucumber
- 1/2 cup Goat cheese crumbles
- ½ cup chopped Pecans
Dressing
- 1 cup fresh Strawberries
- 2 tablespoons fresh Lemon Juice aproximately 1 large lemon
- 1-2 teaspoons Lemon Zest
- 2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
- ¼ cup Granulated Sugar
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon Poppy Seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt or to taste
Instructions
- Making the Dressing: Add all of the ingredients in a blender and process until pureed.
- Place the spring mix into a large bowl and mix in the rest of the salad ingredients.
- Drizzle with dressing when you are ready to serve. Add a grind of fresh pepper if desired.
Notes
Total Yields:
- 1 cup of Dressing
- 4 main dish salads or 6 side dish size salads
Natalie says
Such an interesting flavor combo. Beautiful salad. I will definitely save this and give it a try.
Vikki says
Beautiful salad! So colorful and refreshing
Tara says
I love a good homemade poppyseed dressing, and this had me wanting to lick my plate! The salad was also so fresh and crisp with the perfect mix of sweet and savory.
janis says
Your strawberry salad looks so refreshing! Strawberries are in season now and I can’t wait to make your delicious recipe for my family. Thanks for sharing.
Claudia Krusch says
Such a fresh and delicious salad! I love all the ingredients! I can’t wait to make it!
Amanda says
This looks so sweet and tasty, I need to try this ASAP!
Lisa says
I bet my mom would love this! I totally need to make it for her! I’d definitely be her favorite then. 😉
Tara Pittman says
I need to buy some fresh strawberries as this salad sounds yummy. It is perfect weather for a salad.
Beth says
Yum! This looks absolutely delicious and I love strawberries! I can’t wait to make this!
Brianne says
This sounds berry delicious! Berry. See what I did there?
Seriously, though, strawberries are the ultimate salad ingredient for me, so I’m loving them and the added strawberry boost of the dressing, too!