Small-Batch Spinach Strawberry Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Baby spinach, fresh strawberries, creamy mozzarella, and toasted almonds tossed with a sweet-tangy homemade poppy seed dressing make this Small-Batch Spinach Strawberry Salad the perfect side dish for two.

This salad came about almost by accident. I was looking for something fresh and colorful to serve alongside a homemade Frongega-style chicken sandwich on my focaccia buns. The result - the salad was both fresh and flavorful, plus a perfect side for the sandwich.

The combination of sweet strawberries, tender spinach, creamy mozzarella, crunchy toasted almonds, and homemade poppy seed dressing was so good that my husband kept commenting on it throughout dinner. In fact, when the meal was over, and he saw the leftover salad in the bowl, his response was immediate: "You better not dump that out!" - the ultimate complement.

Quick Look at the Recipe

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 minutes for toasting the almonds
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Make-Ahead Friendly: Assemble the salad ingredients in advance and refrigerate, but wait until serving to add the dressing
• Leftover Friendly: Yes, but only if the dressing is added to individual servings rather than to the entire salad.

Jump to:

• Quick Look at the Recipe
• Why You'll Love This Recipe
• What Makes This Salad Special
• Ingredient Notes
• Step-by-Step: Making the Spinach Strawberry Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
• Chula's Test Kitchen Tips
• Variations
• Other Recipes that Star Strawberries
• Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Perfectly sized for two to four servings
• Ready in less than 15 minutes
• Fresh, colorful, and beautiful on the table
• Easy to customize with your favorite ingredients
• Elegant enough for entertaining but simple enough for weeknights

What Makes This Salad Special

Many spinach strawberry salads use feta cheese, but it can sometimes overwhelm the overall taste of the salad. I prefer using fresh mozzarella in this version because its mild creaminess complements the sweet strawberries without dominating the flavor.

Toasted almonds add crunch and a subtle nutty flavor, while the homemade poppy seed dressing ties everything together with the perfect balance of sweetness and tang.

Most importantly, this recipe is scaled for real life. Instead of ending up with a giant bowl of leftovers, you'll have just the right amount for a small family meal.

Ingredient Notes

• Baby Spinach: Tender baby spinach provides the perfect base for this salad. Its mild flavor allows the strawberries and dressing to shine.
• Fresh Strawberries: Choose ripe, fragrant strawberries for the best flavor. Since strawberries are the star ingredient, their quality matters.
• Fresh Mozzarella: Use fresh mozzarella packed in water. Drain well and pat dry before adding to the salad.
• Sliced Almonds: Toasting the almonds enhances their flavor and adds wonderful crunch.
• Poppy Seed Dressing: A simple homemade dressing made with apple cider vinegar, sugar, oil, dry mustard, and poppy seeds, creates the perfect sweet-tangy balance.

Step-by-Step: Making the Spinach Strawberry Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

1. Prepare the Mozzarella: Tear the mozzarella into bite-sized pieces. Place between layers of paper towels and blot the pieces dry.
2. Toast the Almonds: Place the almonds in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for around 8 minutes, or until lightly golden. As an easy alternative, purchase the sliced almonds already toasted.
3. Make the Dressing: Combine the vegetable oil, apple cider vinegar, sugar, dry mustard, and poppy seeds in a small mason jar. Secure the lid and shake vigorously until combined.

4. Assemble the Salad: Arrange the spinach in a shallow serving bowl or platter. Scatter the sliced strawberries over the spinach. Tuck the mozzarella pieces among the berries, and sprinkle with toasted almonds.

5. Dress and Serve: Serve the dressing on the side or drizzle lightly over the salad immediately before serving.

This classic spinach-strawberry salad is fresh, flavorful, and perfect for two to four servings. Yum!

Chula's Test Kitchen Tips

• Don't Toss the Salad: For the prettiest presentation, treat this as a composed salad rather than a tossed salad. The first time I made this salad, I tried tossing it. However, because the baby spinach is the lightest ingredient, it stayed on the top, and everything else ended up on the bottom. Therefore, layer the ingredients and leave them visible.
• Drain the Mozzarella Well: Fresh mozzarella contains a surprising amount of moisture. Taking a few extra minutes to drain it keeps the salad fresh and crisp.
• Toast the Almonds: This simple step makes a huge difference in flavor and texture. You can use toasted slivered almonds in place of the sliced almonds for extra crunch.
• Dress Individual Servings: If you're anticipating leftovers, add the dressing to the individual servings. Keeping the dressing separate prevents the spinach from wilting and makes leftovers much easier to store.
• Leftovers: In addition to dressing the individual servings, remove the strawberries from the spinach before storing, then refrigerate them separately. Store the spinach and mozzarella in an airtight container lined with a paper towel, and plan to add a few extra toasted almonds for crunch.

Variations

• Add Protein for a Meal: Grilled chicken, rotisserie chicken, grilled shrimp, and sliced turkey all pair beautifully with this salad.
• Change the Cheese: Try feta cheese, goat cheese, burrata, or fresh mozzarella pearls instead of the torn fresh mozzarella
• Add More Crunch: Consider using candied pecans, walnuts, pistachios, or sunflower seeds in place of the sliced almonds.
• Add a Bite: For a more savory salad, consider adding thinly sliced red onions.

Other Recipes that Star Strawberries

Nothing beats the sweet taste of fresh strawberries that are in season. Try these recipes:

Recipe