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The Best Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing | Spring Holiday Favorite

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This spinach salad with poppyseed dressing is a timeless classic that delivers the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, creamy, and crisp. Made with fresh baby spinach, savory toppings, and a smooth homemade dressing, this salad is ideal for holiday tables, spring gatherings, and easy weeknight meals.

Spinach salad with strawberries, red onion, feta, and pecans on a white platter with creamy poppyseed dressing being drizzled over top on a marble counter
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It’s one of the most searched and loved salads online for a reason—simple ingredients, beautiful presentation, and consistently delicious results.

Other Easter & Spring Holiday Recipes You’ll Love:

Why This Recipe Works

  • Classic flavor profile people actively search for
  • Quick to make in under 15 minutes
  • Perfect for Easter, brunch, and potlucks
  • Balanced textures: crisp, creamy, crunchy
  • Easily customizable for seasonal ingredients
Flat lay of spinach salad ingredients including baby spinach, strawberries, pecans, bacon, feta cheese, red onion, and poppyseed dressing on a marble countertop
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Ingredients

For the Spinach Salad:

  • 6 cups fresh baby spinach (washed and dried)
  • ½ cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup strawberries (or mandarin oranges)
  • ⅓ cup cooked bacon, crumbled
  • ¼ cup feta or goat cheese
  • ¼ cup sliced almonds or pecans

For the Poppyseed Dressing:

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
Whisking creamy poppyseed dressing in a white bowl on a marble countertop with simple ingredients nearby
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How to Make Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing

Step 1: Make the Dressing

In a small bowl or jar, whisk together mayonnaise, milk, apple cider vinegar, sugar, poppy seeds, and salt until smooth and fully combined. Refrigerate while preparing the salad.

Step 2: Assemble the Salad

In a large bowl, combine spinach, red onion, fruit, bacon, cheese, and nuts.

Step 3: Toss and Serve

Drizzle dressing over the salad just before serving and toss gently until evenly coated. Serve immediately.

Tips for the Best Spinach Salad

  • Dry spinach thoroughly to prevent watered-down dressing
  • Add dressing right before serving to keep texture crisp
  • Lightly toast nuts to enhance flavor
  • Slice onions very thin for better balance
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Spinach salad with strawberries, red onion, feta, and pecans on a white platter with creamy poppyseed dressing being drizzled over top on a marble counter
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Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing

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  • Author: Chrissi | firsthomelovelife.com
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 6 SERVINGS 1x
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Description

This spinach salad with poppyseed dressing is a fresh, sweet, and crunchy classic made with strawberries, pecans, bacon, and feta, tossed in a creamy homemade dressing. Perfect for spring, Easter, or an easy everyday side dish.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Salad

  • 6 cups baby spinach, washed and dried

  • ½ cup strawberries, sliced

  • ½ cup red onion, thinly sliced

  • ⅓ cup cooked bacon, crumbled

  • ¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled

  • ½ cup pecans (toasted if desired)

For the Poppyseed Dressing

  • ½ cup mayonnaise

  • 2 tablespoons milk

  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

  • 3 tablespoons sugar

  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Make the dressing:
    In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, milk, apple cider vinegar, sugar, poppy seeds, and salt until smooth and creamy. Refrigerate until ready to use.

  • Prepare the salad:
    In a large bowl, add baby spinach, sliced strawberries, red onion, bacon, feta cheese, and pecans.

  • Toss and serve:
    Drizzle the poppyseed dressing over the salad just before serving. Toss gently until evenly coated. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Make the dressing ahead of time for better flavor

  • Store dressing separately to keep salad fresh

  • Toast pecans for added depth and crunch

  • Swap strawberries with mandarin oranges, apples, or blueberries

  • Prep Time: 15 MINUTES
  • Cook Time: 10 MINUTES
  • Category: APPETIZER | SALAD
  • Cuisine: American, Holiday Recipes

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag me @ihearthomesteading! I can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

Variations

  • Add grilled chicken, salmon, or hard-boiled eggs for protein
  • Swap strawberries for apples, pears, or blueberries
  • Use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for a lighter dressing
  • Add avocado for extra richness

Storage

  • Store dressing separately in the refrigerator for up to 5 days
  • Salad is best served fresh and should not be dressed ahead of time

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make poppyseed dressing ahead of time?
Yes. It can be made up to 3–5 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator.

What protein pairs well with this salad?
Grilled chicken, baked salmon, or sliced steak all work well.

Is this salad good for holidays?
Yes. It is especially popular for Easter, Mother’s Day, and spring gatherings.

This spinach salad with poppyseed dressing is one of those simple recipes that never goes out of style. It’s fresh, balanced, and just the right mix of sweet, savory, and crunchy—making it perfect for everything from holiday tables to everyday meals. Keep this one in your rotation, especially during spring when you want something light, beautiful, and effortlessly delicious.

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