Special Strawberry Spinach Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | This fantastic #salad takes only about 10 minutes to make including a homemade salad dressing. It's terrific for company or #holiday dinners like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. #strawberries #almonds #spinach #glutenfree #vegan

Special Strawberry Spinach Salad

Teresa Ambra

Special Strawberry Spinach Salad  is absolutely awesome! It’s a wonderfully satisfying fresh salad that’s bursting with both flavor and color! Juicy, plump strawberries and sliced almonds lay on a bed of spinach. They’re accompanied by a delicious homemade sesame seed and poppy seed dressing. Each bite is mouthwatering!

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This recipe is super easy to make. Seriously, the whole salad and dressing can be made in about 10 minutes. The salad dressing ingredients go in a blender for about 10 seconds and that’s all there is to it. Not only that, but this recipe is healthy, low calorie, gluten free and vegan.

This is another delicious Taste of Home recipe that I first tried for company because it looked so elegant. We’ve made it many times since then and it is one fabulous salad. The dressing is so tasty and the salad very refreshing–especially during hot summer Texas days.

My husband is not all that crazy about eating raw spinach, but it’s growing on him–especially if I hide it in spring mix or other lettuces! But I find ways to make this and other spinach salads on a regular basis. They are so healthy, rich in protein, low calorie and because I just love spinach. He told me the other day that I’ve finally converted him to eating fruit on salads. There’s just nothing quite like it!

When I first posted this recipe in June of 2012 my pictures were of extremely poor quality. I didn’t know anything about camera’s back then, and even less about lighting or presentation. I made this salad again yesterday (January 2015) for some friends in our Sunday school class who just moved into a new home. We’ve always enjoyed this recipe and now you can enjoy what it really looks like with a few better photos.

If you’re looking for a dynamite salad recipe that’s splendid for holiday entertaining or family potlucks, then you’ve come to the right place. Special Strawberry Spinach Salad is special. And, so much more! Give it a try. It’s easy but has just the right crunch and texture for a light summer salad. Your guests will be impressed and come back for seconds!

Special Strawberry Spinach Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | This fantastic #salad takes only about 10 minutes to make including a homemade salad dressing. It's terrific for company or #holiday dinners like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. #strawberries #almonds #spinach #glutenfree #vegan

Special Strawberry Spinach Salad really is special! 

Special Strawberry Spinach Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | This fantastic #salad takes only about 10 minutes to make including a homemade salad dressing. It's terrific for company or #holiday dinners like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. #strawberries #almonds #spinach #glutenfree #vegan

This lovely and festive salad is terrific for special occasions like Valentine’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day or Father’s Day.

Special Strawberry Spinach Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | This fantastic #salad takes only about 10 minutes to make including a homemade salad dressing. It's terrific for company or #holiday dinners like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. #strawberries #almonds #spinach #glutenfree #vegan

This close up shows the texture of Special Strawberry Spinach Salad. Three main ingredients: spinach, strawberries and sliced almonds. That’s it!

Here’s what I did.

Special Strawberry Spinach Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | This fantastic #salad takes only about 10 minutes to make including a homemade salad dressing. It's terrific for company or #holiday dinners like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. #strawberries #almonds #spinach #glutenfree #vegan

Place spinach in a bowl. Add sliced strawberries and sliced almonds. Very simple!

Special Strawberry Spinach Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | This fantastic #salad takes only about 10 minutes to make including a homemade salad dressing. It's terrific for company or #holiday dinners like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. #strawberries #almonds #spinach #glutenfree #vegan

Make the dressing.

Special Strawberry Spinach Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | This fantastic #salad takes only about 10 minutes to make including a homemade salad dressing. It's terrific for company or #holiday dinners like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. #strawberries #almonds #spinach #glutenfree #vegan

Place the ingredients in a blender and emulsify about 10 seconds or so. 

This dressing is a lot better put in the blender, rather than just being whisked. The onion emulsifies and thickens up the whole dressing providing a lot nicer consistency. This is a double batch of dressing.

Special Strawberry Spinach Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | This fantastic #salad takes only about 10 minutes to make including a homemade salad dressing. It's terrific for company or #holiday dinners like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. #strawberries #almonds #spinach #glutenfree #vegan

Refrigerate dressing until ready to serve and then toss dressing with salad, or spoon on individual servings if desired.

Special Strawberry Spinach Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | This fantastic #salad takes only about 10 minutes to make including a homemade salad dressing. It's terrific for company or #holiday dinners like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. #strawberries #almonds #spinach #glutenfree #vegan

To serve: Drizzle salad dressing over salad.

Special Strawberry Spinach Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | This fantastic #salad takes only about 10 minutes to make including a homemade salad dressing. It's terrific for company or #holiday dinners like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. #strawberries #almonds #spinach #glutenfree #vegan

This is one of the best Spinach Salads we’ve ever eaten.

Special Strawberry Spinach Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | This fantastic #salad takes only about 10 minutes to make including a homemade salad dressing. It's terrific for company or #holiday dinners like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. #strawberries #almonds #spinach #glutenfree #vegan

Special Strawberry Spinach Salad is one scrumptious salad. You will find yourself coming back for more, and more, and more!

Here’s the recipe.

SPECIAL STRAWBERRY SPINACH SALAD

(Recipe adapted from Taste of Home annual recipes, 2000)

Special Strawberry Spinach Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | This fantastic #salad takes only about 10 minutes to make including a homemade salad dressing. It's terrific for company or #holiday dinners like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. #strawberries #almonds #spinach #glutenfree #vegan

Special Strawberry Spinach Salad

Teresa Ambra
This scrumptious and refreshing summer salad is served with a delicious homemade poppy seed and sesame seed dressing. It's perfect for company or holiday dinners like Easter, Mother's Day or Father's Day. Gluten free and vegan.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Salads and Salad Dressings
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 151 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 large salad bowl with tongs
  • 1 sharp knife to cut strawberries
  • 1 small cookie sheet to toast almonds
  • 1 toaster oven to toast almonds (or use regular oven)
  • 1 blender
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • 1 mason jar with lid to store salad dressing until ready to serve

Ingredients
  

SALAD:

  • 9 cups fresh spinach leaves
  • 1 pt. fresh strawberries halved
  • 1/2 cup almonds slivered, toasted

POPPY SEED DRESSING:

  • 1/4 cup avocado oil avocado oil is a much better option (see note below)
  • 2 tbsp. granulated sugar
  • 2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp. onion chopped
  • 1 tsp. poppy seeds
  • 1 tsp. sesame seeds
  • 1/4 tsp. paprika
  • 1/8 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

Instructions
 

SALAD:

  • In a large bowl, combine the spinach, strawberries and almonds.
  • Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  • Pour salad dressing over salad and toss to coat or drizzle salad dressing over individual servings.
  • Serve immediately.

POPPY SEED DRESSING:

  • Place dressing ingredients in a blender and emulsify about 10 seconds.
  • Refrigerate dressing until ready to serve.
  • Pour salad dressing over salad and toss to coat or drizzle salad dressing over individual servings.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

NOTE: Avocado oil was not readily available when I initially posted this recipe, but it is now. I highly recommend it over canola oil. Also it doesn't leave the strong aftertaste that olive oil does.
 
Recipe adapted from Taste of Home.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 151kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 3gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.03gSodium: 30mgPotassium: 340mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 3248IUVitamin C: 44mgCalcium: 75mgIron: 2mg
Keyword almonds, gluten free, salad, side dish, spinach, strawberries, vegan
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

[b]Special Strawberry Spinach Salad[/b]
 
Recipe Type: Salads and Salad Dressings
Cuisine: American
Author: Teresa Ambra adapted from [url href=”http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/special-strawberry-spinach-salad” target=”_blank” title=”special strawberry spinach salad”]Taste of Home[/url]
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 8
Scrumptious and refreshing summer salad with a delicious homemade poppy seed and sesame seed dressing. Gluten free and vegan.
Ingredients
  • 9 cups fresh spinach leaves
  • 1 pint fresh strawberries, halved
  • ½ cup slivered almonds, toasted
Instructions
  1. In a large bowl, combine the spinach, strawberries and almonds.
  2. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  3. Pour salad dressing over salad and toss to coat or drizzle salad dressing over individual servings.
  4. Serve immediately.
 

 

[b]Poppy Seed Dressing[/b]
 
Recipe Type: Salads and Salad Dressings
Cuisine: American
Author: Teresa Ambra adapted from [url href=”http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/special-strawberry-spinach-salad” target=”_blank” title=”special strawberry spinach salad”]Taste of Home[/url]
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 8
Scrumptious and refreshing summer salad with a delicious homemade poppy seed and sesame seed dressing. Gluten free and vegan.
Ingredients
  • ¼ cup canola or coconut oil
  • 2 tbsp. sugar
  • 2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp. chopped onion
  • 1 tsp. poppy seeds
  • 1 tsp. sesame seeds
  • ¼ tsp. paprika
  • 1/8 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
  1. Place dressing ingredients in a blender and emulsify about 10 seconds.
  2. Refrigerate dressing until ready to serve.
  3. Pour salad dressing over salad and toss to coat or drizzle salad dressing over individual servings.
  4. Serve immediately.
Special Strawberry Spinach Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | This fantastic #salad takes only about 10 minutes to make including a homemade salad dressing. It's terrific for company or #holiday dinners like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. #strawberries #almonds #spinach #glutenfree #vegan

Special Strawberry Spinach Salad is healthy, low calorie, gluten free and vegan.

Special Strawberry Spinach Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | This fantastic #salad takes only about 10 minutes to make including a homemade salad dressing. It's terrific for company or #holiday dinners like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. #strawberries #almonds #spinach #glutenfree #vegan

This nutritious Special Strawberry Spinach Salad is great to make up on hot, sunny, summer days. Good to the last bite!

You may also enjoy these delicious recipes!

Kiwi-Strawberry Spinach Salad

Kiwi-Strawberry Spinach Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #salad is festive & beautiful enough to serve for company or #holiday dinners like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. It's healthy, #glutenfree #vegan & #cleaneating--not to mention absolutely delicious. #kiwi #strawberries

Strawberry Blueberry Avocado Salad with Strawberry Poppyseed Vinaigrette

Strawberry Blueberry Avocado Salad with Strawberry Poppyseed Vinaigrette | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #salad and homemade dressing takes only about 10 minutes to make. It's festive, beautiful & a refreshing change for summer salads when you're trying to keep the heat out of your house! #blueberries #strawberries #avocados #glutenfree

Spinach and Fruit Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Spinach and Fruit Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing | this is one of our favorite #salad #recipes. It's filled with #strawberries, #Blueberries, #pineapple & #MandarinOranges. It also has #Cashews & #SwissCheese. No one can resist this amazing #TossedSalad! We serve it for company all the time. #holiday #HolidaySalad #TossedSaladWithFruit #SpinachSalad #SpinachAndFruitSaladWithPoppySeedDressing #PoppySeedDressing #GlutenFree #Healthy #HealthySaladRecipe
Special Strawberry Spinach Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | This fantastic #salad takes only about 10 minutes to make including a homemade salad dressing. It's terrific for company or #holiday dinners like #Easter, #MothersDay or #FathersDay. #strawberries #almonds #spinach #glutenfree #vegan

Special Strawberry Spinach Salad

Teresa Ambra
This scrumptious and refreshing summer salad is served with a delicious homemade poppy seed and sesame seed dressing. It’s perfect for company or holiday dinners like Easter, Mother’s Day or Father’s Day. Gluten free and vegan.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Salads and Salad Dressings
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 151 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 large salad bowl with tongs
  • 1 sharp knife to cut strawberries
  • 1 small cookie sheet to toast almonds
  • 1 toaster oven to toast almonds (or use regular oven)
  • 1 blender
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • 1 mason jar with lid to store salad dressing until ready to serve

Ingredients
  

SALAD:

  • 9 cups fresh spinach leaves
  • 1 pt. fresh strawberries halved
  • 1/2 cup almonds slivered, toasted

POPPY SEED DRESSING:

  • 1/4 cup avocado oil avocado oil is a much better option (see note below)
  • 2 tbsp. granulated sugar
  • 2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp. onion chopped
  • 1 tsp. poppy seeds
  • 1 tsp. sesame seeds
  • 1/4 tsp. paprika
  • 1/8 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

Instructions
 

SALAD:

  • In a large bowl, combine the spinach, strawberries and almonds.
  • Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  • Pour salad dressing over salad and toss to coat or drizzle salad dressing over individual servings.
  • Serve immediately.

POPPY SEED DRESSING:

  • Place dressing ingredients in a blender and emulsify about 10 seconds.
  • Refrigerate dressing until ready to serve.
  • Pour salad dressing over salad and toss to coat or drizzle salad dressing over individual servings.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

NOTE: Avocado oil was not readily available when I initially posted this recipe, but it is now. I highly recommend it over canola oil. Also it doesn’t leave the strong aftertaste that olive oil does.
 
Recipe adapted from Taste of Home.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 151kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 3gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.03gSodium: 30mgPotassium: 340mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 3248IUVitamin C: 44mgCalcium: 75mgIron: 2mg
Keyword almonds, gluten free, salad, side dish, spinach, strawberries, vegan
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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