Ingredients

Scale

(Serves 4)

Salad base:

6 cups fresh baby spinach
1½ cups sliced strawberries (hulled & sliced—you love strawberries!)
⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese (use reduced-sodium—you love low-sodium options!)
¼ cup sliced almonds, toasted (you love nuts!)
Optional: ¼ red onion, thinly sliced (soak in water 10 min to mellow)

Poppy seed dressing:

3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1½ tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp honey (or sugar-free maple syrup for blood sugar friendly)
1 tsp Dijon mustard
½ tsp poppy seeds
Salt & black pepper to taste

Optional boosts (you’ll love these!):

High-protein: Grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas (+20g protein/serving)
Extra crunch: Sunflower seeds or hemp seeds
Creamy tang: Avocado slices

Instructions

1. Prep ingredients:

Slice strawberries; soak red onion (if using) in cold water 10 minutes; drain well.
Toast almonds in a dry skillet 3–4 minutes until golden; cool.

2. Make dressing:

Whisk olive oil, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, honey, Dijon, poppy seeds, salt, and pepper until emulsified.

3. Assemble & serve:

In a large bowl, combine spinach, strawberries, drained red onion (if using), feta, and toasted almonds.
Drizzle with dressing just before serving; toss gently.
Top with optional add-ins if using.

💡 Pro Tips for Perfection:
✅ Dry spinach thoroughly—wet greens = soggy salad + diluted dressing.
✅ Add dressing last—keeps spinach crisp and strawberries vibrant.
✅ Low-sodium mastery (you love this!):
→ Use reduced-sodium feta or cut amount by half
→ Boost flavor with extra lemon zest, mustard, and poppy seeds
✅ Blood sugar friendly (you love this!):
→ Use sugar-free maple syrup instead of honey
→ Add 1 tbsp chia seeds to dressing for fiber + glycemic control
✅ Low-carb/keto option (you love this!):
→ Naturally <10g net carbs/serving
→ Increase healthy fats: extra avocado + 1 tbsp olive oil in dressing
→ Net carbs: ~7g/serving
✅ High-protein boost (you love this!):
→ Add 1 cup grilled chicken (+28g protein/serving)
→ Mix in 2 tbsp hemp seeds (+5g protein)
✅ Make ahead:
→ Chop strawberries and toast almonds 1 day ahead
→ Store dressing separately
→ Assemble within 30 minutes of serving

Storage & Serving Ideas

→ Fridge life: Best served immediately (spinach wilts quickly). If storing, keep components separate.
→ Serving ideas:
→ Alongside grilled salmon or chicken
→ As a standalone light lunch with crusty bread
→ With hard-boiled eggs for extra protein
→ As a bed for warm seared scallops

Prep Time & Nutrition (per serving):