Strawberry Spinach Salad

Say hello to fresh veggies and bright colors in this strawberry spinach salad! Studded with fresh berries and citrus, crunchy toasted pecans, and tangy goat cheese, this light salad is a fresh and elegant dish for Easter lunch, Mother's Day brunch, or any light meal. It's drizzled in a sweet and tangy lemon poppyseed dressing that can be made in advance. That means, when it's time to eat, all you have to do is toss and serve. This spring salad is serious crowd-pleaser that comes together in just minutes! 

What's the difference between spinach and baby spinach?

There is a slight flavor difference between baby spinach (which is harvested from younger plants) and regular spinach (which is harvested from more mature plants). Baby spinach is more tender and slightly sweet, making it perfect for using raw in this spinach salad. Regular "full leaf" spinach holds up better to cooking, but they can be used interchangeably.

What's the best way to peel and slice the oranges?

More specifically, here's how to segment an orange: peel the oranges to remove the peel, pith, and the membrane so all that's left is pretty slices of juicy orange flesh. Yes, it's that easy!

How do you toast pecans?

Toasting nuts couldn't be easier. You can toast them in the oven, on the stovetop, or in the microwave. The oven is great for toasting a large amount of nuts at once, and the microwave makes toasting a small handful easy, but toasting the pecans on the stove is also super simple and quick. Just drop the pecan halves in a dry skillet placed over medium heat. Shake the skillet or stir the pecans occasionally and toast until they're slightly browned and fragrant, up to 5 minutes. For a sweeter topping, sprinkle the salad with candied pecans instead.

How do you keep strawberries fresh?

Strawberries will stay fresh longer if you take them out of the container, and arrange them in an even layer (like on a small rimmed baking sheet), cover with plastic wrap, and keep them refrigerated. Keep an eye on them; if any berries start to get soft or icky, remove them from the pan to keep them from affecting the other berries. Wash and slice the berries just before assembling the salad for best results. 

Can I add protein to strawberry spinach salad? 

Yes! Adding protein is a great way to elevate this fruity side salad to main dish magnificence. Sliced grilled chicken would be a tasty addition. You could also serve the salad alongside grilled shrimp skewers or freshly grilled salmon filets.  

Is it easy to make homemade salad dressing?

Although it sounds fussy, making homemade salad dressing is so easy, it'll be hard to go back to store-bought dressings. The ingredients for this easy recipe all go into a jar, before being shaken like a martini! This lemon poppy seed dressing goes so wonderfully with strawberry spinach salad—shake up other variations too and you'll be a salad expert in no time! 

Is the dressing supposed to be watery?

Yes! This isn't a thick dressing like ranch. This poppyseed vinaigrette is supposed to be thin and watery so it only lightly coats the spinach.