Red Berry & Avocado Spinach Salad with Strawberry Poppy Seed Dressing
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Red Berry & Avocado Spinach Salad with Strawberry Poppy Seed Dressing is packed with your favorite red berries: sweet strawberries, juicy raspberries, and tart cranberries. Nestled into a bed of spinach, the berries are joined by smooth avocado, crumbled feta, and toasted pecans. Finally, the strawberry poppy seed vinaigrette dressing will absolutely knock your socks off—you’ll want to reuse it for every salad recipe!
This has definitely got to be my new favorite summer salad! It is loaded with vibrant fresh flavors and I love the way all the red berries pair together. Why stop at just strawberries when you can add raspberries and cranberries too?
And I went all out berry flavor on this one by finishing it off with a generous drizzle of the most amazing Strawberry Poppy Seed Dressing.
I could eat this dressing by the spoonful it is so good!
My kids kept asking when I was going to be done taking pictures so they could have a drink of my smoothie, which is about right with this dressing :).
It has just the right amount of sweetness which perfectly enhances the strawberries, and it has that perfect little crunch from those tiny little poppy seeds, and of course, it’s natural color is gorgeous. Then add avocados and spinach to the mix and you’ve got one dreamy salad! This dish will be a huge hit at a summer barbecue or shower, I guarantee it.
Once you try this you’ll be making it all the time! I know it will be my go-to summer salad dressing.
Red Berry & Avocado Spinach Salad Substitutions
Depending on the season, this salad can be remixed to include fresh produce that you have available. The poppyseed dressing is delicious on pretty much every combination!
- The red berries are pretty, but you can break it up with some blueberries or other fruit
- I like the tang of onions in my salad, plus red onions would fit the theme
- If feta is too salty, try goat cheese
- Add chicken to increase protein or eat this as a main course
- Spinach leaves are the standard, but any leafy greens will work (just remember arugula has a strong pepper taste!)
- Swap the pecans for almonds or walnuts
Follow Cooking Classy
Red Berry & Avocado Spinach Salad with Strawberry Poppy Seed Dressing
Ingredients
Dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup canola oil
- 2/3 cup diced fresh strawberries (3.6 oz)
- 2 1/2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tsp poppy seeds
Salad
- 10 oz baby spinach
- 1 1/4 cups pecans , roughly chopped and toasted
- 12 oz fresh strawberries , sliced (about 2 cups)
- 1 pint fresh raspberries (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 2/3 cup dried cranberries (optional if you don't want to add all three)
- 2 medium avocados , peeled, cored and diced (semi-firm but ripe)
- 5 oz feta cheese , crumbled
Instructions
- For the dressing:
- To a blender add all ingredients except poppy seeds. Process until strawberries are well pureed. Pour into a jar and stir in poppy seeds, cover and store in refrigerator.
- For the salad:
- In a large salad bowl, toss together spinach, pecans, strawberries, raspberries, cranberries, avocados and feta cheese. Plate and top with dressing.