If you're looking for a salad that will impress everyone, you have to try this Strawberry Spinach Salad. It's packed with juicy strawberries, crispy bacon, creamy feta and homemade candied pecans that add the perfect crunch. And let's not forget the poppy seed dressing – it's sweet, tangy, and totally addictive. This salad is a total flavor bomb and super easy to throw together. Perfect for any gathering or a special treat for yourself!
Make it a meal by adding our prepared sliced or diced chicken Delicious marinadeor us Quick and Easy Lemon Chicken.
Why our recipe?
- A craving-busting salad that everyone always requests.
- The most delicious poppy seed dressing is ridiculously easy to make in a blender.
- We even include a quick and easy method for making your own candied pecans.
What makes this salad even better is how versatile it is. You can easily swap out the strawberries for other seasonal fruit like blueberries or peaches and it will still be delicious. Homemade candied pecans add the perfect touch of sweetness and crunch, but if you're in a rush, you can use store-bought. And that poppy seed dressing? It works wonders on just about any salad. This recipe is a keeper and sure to be one of your favorites!
Material notes
- Baby Spinach: Choose small-leaf varieties for the best flavor and texture because large spinach can be too tough and chewy for a salad.
- Strawberries: Remove the stems and slice or quarter them.
- Red Onion: We like to thinly slice your onions, or you can also dice them. If you're not a fan of red onion, feel free to leave it out.
- Bacon: Choose cooked and crumbled instead of bacon bits for best flavor. Bacon bacon in the oven very simple
- Candide Pecans: You can find them at your grocery store or we've provided instructions for making your own. You can swap pecans for almost any other nut, including almonds and walnuts.
- Feta Cheese: Can substitute with goat cheese. Use as much or as little as you like.
- Poppy Seed Dressing: This salad is the real star!
Candied Pecans
You can certainly buy candied pecans at the store, but if you can't find them, you can always make your own. You will take 1 cup of raw pecans and add them to a bowl. Next mix 1/4 cup white sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons melted, salted butter and a pinch of cinnamon. Mix them together to coat the pecans evenly.
In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the coated pecans for 4-5 minutes as you stir them constantly. Watch the pecans closely as the mixture thickens. Once the coating adheres to the pecans and is candied, transfer the pecans to a parchment-lined sheet and spread them out in a single layer. After they cool, they're ready to enjoy in this mouthwatering salad.
Storage instructions
Keep in fridge Refrigerate salad mixture (without dressing) in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keeping strawberries separate is best for meal prep.
Keep in fridge Store any leftover poppy seed dressing in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
