Strawberry and Mixed Green Salad with Poppy Seed Vinaigrette

Strawberry Salad with Poppy Seed Vinaigrette 2

Not too long ago, salad was nothing but a leafy green necessity that I had to force down a few times per week, whether I liked it or not. However, since I’ve learned to cook and combine new flavors, I’ve also started to experiment with new, flavorful salads, enjoy them and realize that they can be really darn fun!

For my daily dose of vitamin D-rich veggies, I always keep a box of organic Mixed Greens & Spinach salad on hand. With its great variety of greens, including spinach, romaine, arugula and radicchio, it makes throwing together a salad so easy.

As a quick lunch, I’ll top a few leafy handfuls with some grilled chicken and my favorite dressing, or just eat it with some cut-up tomatoes, cucumber and shaved Parmesan cheese. Delish!

But, onto the fun stuff. This strawberry salad with homemade poppy seed vinaigrette from Paula Deen was just heavenly! So much so that, after I took these pictures, I sat down and ravenously finished the whole plate in about five seconds. And, like I said, salad and I are still learning to be friends. I think we’re a whole lot closer now.

Though you might not usually think to top your spinach salad with strawberries, you will be amazed at how fresh, light and delicious the sweet-savory combination can be. Tied together with a super simple lemon vinaigrette, it was a slightly sweet and very refreshing dish that made me feel like I had my feet in the grass and a fruity drink in hand. Are you here yet, spring?

Poppy Seed Vinaigrette

Oh, here’s a hot tip for you: Scoop out your lemon seeds with a fork to catch them all at once. Another hot tip: Make this vinaigrette and use it on any salad for a little sweet pick-me-up. It is so easy, and it’s to-die-for delicious! Also of note: Poppy seed fingers!

Strawberries and Lemon
Ah, fresh California produce. It can’t be beat. I may be moving away from you eventually, land of sweet strawberries and luscious lemons, but I’ll never forget your bountiful harvest even in the middle of this chilly late winter season!

Strawberry Salad
For a simple and refreshing side dish, lunch or meal any time of day, you must try this strawberry and mixed green salad. It is divinely delicious, good for ya and might just inspire you to create all new flavor combinations in your own kitchen!

Strawberry and Mixed Green Salad with Poppy Seed Vinaigrette

Strawberry and Mixed Green Salad with Poppy Seed Vinaigrette

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Salad:

  • 1 10 to 12-ounce package baby spinach or mixed greens, washed and dried
  • 1 pint strawberries, hulled and quartered

Vinaigrette:

  • 1/2 lemon, juiced
  • 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon poppy seeds

Instructions

  1. In a large salad bowl, add the mixed greens and strawberries, and toss together.
  2. For the dressing: In a small glass bowl or jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the lemon juice, vinegar, sugar, oil and poppy seeds. Whisk together in the glass bowl or shake if using a jar. Dress the salad right before serving.
  3. Enjoy!

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Join the Conversation

  1. hehe poppy fingers! mmm poppyseeds and strawberries go really well together! <3

  2. The salad looks so pretty and refreshing. I love the vinaigrette!

  3. Oh my God your pictures are getting more gorgeous by the second! Such an incredible job, this looks so great!
    PS. I gave you a blog award :)

  4. This is really a great approach for Salad Georgia! Love all the flavours and combinations. Great recpie.

    Hope you a happy Valentines day and a great week ahead.

  5. I love poppyseed dressing with strawberry salads… the photos are lovely Georgia.

  6. This salad looks simple, elegant and beautiful. I would love to serve this at my sister’s bridal shower. It just screams love and youth! Thank you for sharing. I hope you are having a day of sweet treats and love. Happy Valentine’s!

  7. Thanks for stopping by my blog! I’m a newbie but I’m really having a lot of fun! I am following your blog now – I’ve been on Facebook with you for some time too. I love your pictures! I wish I were eating this salad for lunch today! And dinner! :)

  8. BEAUTIFUL Georgia! I love the photos!

  9. I am loving this pretty salad. Nice touch with the poppy seeds. I have all the ingredients to make this:) Happy Valentine’s Day my friend. Xx

  10. Your photos are amazing! I love the colours :) Also, thanks for the tip for scooping out the lemon seeds – very useful!

  11. Happy Valentine’s, Georgia! I LOVE to put strawberries in my salad. Best strawberries I ever tasted were in California…San Francisco’s ferry building!! I make a salad w/field greens, feta, strawberries, candied pecans, and raspberry vinaigrette. It’s our favorite all summer long…

  12. This is so pretty, Georgia! When they’re in season here, strawberries are my favorite salad topping. You’re so lucky to live where you can get such beautiful produce this time of year!

  13. This salad looks really tasty. I love your poppyseed dressing!

  14. This is definitely not your boring ordinary lackluster salad! Love that poppy seed vinaigrette!

  15. It’s like summer on a plate! It looks almost too lovely to eat! I wish our strawberries looked that good right now. I know they come from Cali, but by the time they get here…they’ve lost a little something :) Strawberries on my salads have become one of my favorite things…green apples too!

  16. Poppyseed vinaigrette is my FAVORITE for any light salad. I just love it!

  17. This looks refreshing, healthy, and delicious after the post-Valentine’s sugar hangover. I may have this for lunch today.

  18. I accidently posted this comment on the wrong post. Let me try again…

    No! Don’t move. I long for my California days of wonderful produce all year round.

  19. I make almost the identical salad. It is definitely a family favourite – particularly in the spring with the new lettuces and the fresh strawberries!
    YUM!
    :)
    valerie

  20. Yum! I love strawberries on my salad, and the poppy seed vinaigrette sounds sounds excellent. I think blueberries would pair nicely with this dressing too. :)

  21. It just went from ice last week to 75 degree weather where I live and I’m so ready for light, spring salads like this one. This looks delicious.

  22. Never tried this type of salad before, it looks really gorgeous. Perfect when I have my girlfriends over.

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  24. Strawberries in salads is a perfect addition. So fresh, sweet and visually appealing with greens. I love the ingredients in the vinaigrette. =)

    I just purchased some big beautiful strawberries (was going to dip them in chocolate)…I think I’ll save some to make this beautiful salad!

  25. This salad is BEAUTIFUL… It reminds me of one they made at a restaurant I used to work at! I also love poppyseed dressing! Mmmmm

  26. This has to be hands down the best salad I have seen. What an incredible combination of flavours and so fabulously fresh. I often use fruit in salads but I have yet to use strawberries.
    :-) Mandy

  27. What a fantastic salad! I could almost taste the freshness from here.

  28. What a great spring salad! Yum!

  29. Georgia, you are so sweet. Thanks for the visiting my blog. Your photos are wonderful and I enjoy your writing style especially the cute Valentine’s memory.

  30. I agree with you on the salad outlook… i haven’t ever really LOVED them, but if you get creative and go with amazing fresh ingredients, it becomes fun and delicious!

  31. I love salads with strawberries in them! I can’t wait for spring to arrive so I can start enjoying more of these kinds of salads!

  32. This salad sounds just lovely and what a perfect reminder that spring and summer are on their way!

  33. 5 stars
    I was never a huge fan of salad until my husband and I started buying the good greens and experimenting. Boy, do good greens and different dressings/toppings make a huge difference, or what?! Love this combo you have going on here!

  34. What a pretty salad, wishing I were not allergic to strawberries…beautiful and fresh produce is such a wondrous thing :)

  35. Oh my goodness! This looks fantastic! I love the beautiful photos! I’m loving you blog. I’m your newest follower :) Would you be interested in doing a guest post on my blog? Have a wonderful day.
    Katie

  36. 5 stars
    Just wanted to let you know I’m featuring your recipe today. Have a good day.
    Katie

  37. I didn’t have poppy seeds in the house, but used sesame seeds instead. Still really good!

  38. 5 stars
    I make this type of salad with just spinach as the greens and also add fresh blueberries. A real light salad.

  39. 5 stars
    Lovely salad! I know what I’ll be eating tonight! Thanks :)

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