Fresh & Flavorful Avocado Strawberry Spinach Salad with Zesty Poppy Seed Dressing: Your Ultimate Summer Meal!
Prepare to discover your new favorite spring and summer salad! This vibrant Avocado Strawberry Spinach Salad is a celebration of fresh, seasonal flavors, featuring plump, juicy, and sweet strawberries as its undeniable star. We elevate this delightful medley with creamy avocado, crisp baby spinach, and a homemade citrusy poppy seed dressing that ties everything together beautifully. It’s not just a salad; it’s a refreshing experience, perfect for light lunches, quick dinners, and any warm-weather gathering.
The Perfect Harmony of Sweet, Savory, and Tangy
This avocado strawberry spinach salad isn’t just visually appealing; it’s a symphony of textures and tastes. Imagine the burst of sweetness from ripe strawberries, complemented by the buttery richness of fresh avocado, the delicate crunch of baby spinach, and a subtle kick from thinly sliced red onions. But what truly sets this salad apart is the unexpected yet utterly delicious addition of crumbled feta cheese. Many might initially question combining salty cheese with sweet berries, but trust us – the creamy, briny notes of feta beautifully balance the tart-sweetness of the fruit, creating a flavor profile that is simply irresistible.
As we navigate the demands of daily life, particularly after hitting certain milestones, there’s a natural inclination to prioritize nutrition without sacrificing flavor. This salad perfectly fits that bill. It’s packed with wholesome ingredients, ensuring you feel energized and satisfied. While a delicious brownie might call your name afterwards (because who can resist a sweet treat?), your main meal will have been a powerhouse of greens, healthy fats, and vibrant fruits, all brought to life by an exquisite dressing.
Our homemade citrusy poppy seed dressing is a game-changer. It’s light, tangy, and subtly sweet, with a bright citrus punch that makes every bite sing. This dressing isn’t just an accompaniment; it’s an integral part of the salad’s appeal, coating each ingredient in a glossy, flavorful embrace. We’ve designed this avocado strawberry spinach salad to be refreshing, filling, and utterly delicious – a true testament to the joy of healthy eating.
Beyond the Bowl: Incorporating Fruit into Everyday Meals
While strawberries often steal the show in desserts like pies, cupcakes, and shortcakes, this avocado strawberry spinach salad beautifully demonstrates how easily and deliciously you can incorporate more fresh fruit into your savory everyday meals. It’s a simple yet impactful way to boost your nutrient intake and add exciting new dimensions to your diet. The blend of textures – crisp spinach, creamy avocado, crunchy red onion, and soft berries – makes for an incredibly engaging eating experience.
Maintaining a balanced diet can be a challenge, especially with the siren call of weekend indulgences. We all strive for wholesome meals during the week, focusing on vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins. This salad provides a fantastic solution, offering a meal that is both healthy and genuinely enjoyable, eliminating any feeling of deprivation. It’s all about balance, right? So, while you might find yourself indulging in a few glazed doughnuts on Friday, you’ll have a delicious, nutritious foundation laid throughout the week, courtesy of this amazing strawberry spinach salad. And perhaps, just perhaps, those weekend treats don’t count if they’re enjoyed after such a stellar salad!
Effortless Meal Prep and Endless Versatility
One of the many reasons this strawberry spinach salad has become a household staple (we’ve made it countless times!) is its incredible suitability for meal prep. The vibrant citrusy poppy seed dressing can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week, making weekday meals a breeze. Simply chop your salad ingredients on a Sunday, store them separately, and then toss everything together with your desired amount of dressing right before serving. This approach guarantees a fresh, delicious, and healthy lunch or dinner in mere minutes, even on the busiest of days.
Whether you’re heading to the office or working from home, this avocado strawberry spinach salad is your go-to. Pack it in your favorite meal prep containers for a wholesome lunch on the go, or take a quick break from your desk to assemble it with minimal effort. Don’t let a lack of time stop you from eating well. Feeling tired after a long day? Transform this salad into an even heartier meal by adding diced leftover grilled chicken or pan-seared salmon. For a twist reminiscent of popular cafe salads, incorporate a can of drained mandarin oranges, some chopped chicken, and a handful of toasted pecans, almonds, or walnuts. These simple additions elevate your salad game, turning a great recipe into an extraordinary culinary creation.
This salad truly embodies real, everyday life food – delicious, nutritious, and incredibly adaptable. It’s more than just a dish; it’s a lifestyle enhancer that makes healthy eating enjoyable and accessible. The Avocado Strawberry Spinach Salad isn’t just undeniably spring and summer in a bowl; it’s a year-round delight that brings joy and freshness to any table. Its bright flavors and satisfying ingredients make it a perfect companion for barbecues, picnics, potlucks, or a simple, elegant meal at home.
Avocado Strawberry Spinach Salad
15 minutes
15 minutes
Plump juicy and sweet strawberries are the main attraction in this avocado strawberry spinach salad. We’ll top it off with a citrusy poppyseed dressing and voila! Your new favorite spring/summer salad is here.
Ingredients
Poppyseed Dressing:
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons poppy seeds
- 1 tablespoon EACH lemon juice, lime juice, AND orange juice
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- salt and pepper
Strawberry Spinach Salad:
- 6 cups baby spinach
- 2 cups sliced strawberries
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 large or 2 small avocados, diced
- 1/2 a medium red onion, sliced
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
- DRESSING: whisk together the juices, mustard, mayo, honey, and poppy seeds. Stream in the olive oil as you whisk until combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- SALAD: Toss all the ingredients for the salad together with desired amount of dressing. Serve immediately.
- MAKE AHEAD: salad ingredients can be prepared ahead of time and kept separate from the dressing until ready to serve. Leftover dressing will last for up to 5 days, covered in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Sometimes I like to add grilled chicken to this salad along with mandarin oranges, pineapple chunks, and chopped pecans for a different twist!
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