Everyone’s Favorite Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing: A Deliciously Easy Recipe

Spinach salad with poppy seed dressing is a classic for a reason! It’s a delightful combination of fresh, crisp spinach, sweet and savory toppings, and a tangy, slightly sweet poppy seed dressing that ties it all together. This recipe is a crowd-pleaser, perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or even a simple weeknight meal. It’s also incredibly versatile – you can easily customize it with your favorite ingredients to create your own signature version.

This blog post will guide you through creating the perfect spinach salad with poppy seed dressing, step-by-step, offering tips and variations to ensure success. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this timeless salad!

## Why This Spinach Salad is a Winner

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s explore why this spinach salad is so popular:

* **Flavor Balance:** The combination of earthy spinach, sweet fruits (like strawberries or mandarin oranges), salty bacon or nuts, and the tangy-sweet dressing creates a harmonious flavor profile that appeals to a wide range of palates.
* **Texture Variety:** The crisp spinach, crunchy nuts or bacon, and soft fruit provide a delightful textural experience.
* **Easy to Make:** This salad is incredibly simple and quick to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights or when you need a last-minute side dish.
* **Versatile:** The recipe is highly adaptable. You can easily swap out ingredients based on your preferences or what you have on hand.
* **Nutritious:** Spinach is packed with vitamins and minerals, making this salad a healthy and delicious choice.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients you’ll need for the salad and the dressing. Feel free to adjust the quantities to suit your taste.

### For the Salad:

* **Spinach:** 10-12 ounces fresh spinach, washed and dried thoroughly. Baby spinach is ideal for its tenderness.
* **Bacon:** 6-8 slices cooked bacon, crumbled. You can substitute with bacon bits for convenience.
* **Red Onion:** 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion. Red onion adds a sharp, slightly pungent flavor that complements the other ingredients. You can soak it in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow its sharpness.
* **Mandarin Oranges:** 1 (11-ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained. Fresh mandarin oranges are also a great option when in season. Segments of orange or clementine also work beautifully.
* **Strawberries:** 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries. The sweetness of the strawberries adds a delightful contrast to the savory elements. Other berries like blueberries or raspberries can also be used.
* **Toasted Almonds or Pecans:** 1/2 cup toasted sliced almonds or pecans. Toasting the nuts enhances their flavor and adds a pleasant crunch. You can toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat or in the oven at 350°F for a few minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
* **Optional Toppings:** Crumbled feta cheese, hard-boiled eggs (sliced), dried cranberries, avocado (diced), grilled chicken (sliced).

### For the Poppy Seed Dressing:

* **Mayonnaise:** 1/2 cup mayonnaise. Use your favorite brand. Light mayonnaise can be used for a lighter version.
* **Sugar:** 1/4 cup granulated sugar. Adjust the amount to your liking, depending on how sweet you prefer your dressing.
* **Apple Cider Vinegar:** 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar. This adds a tangy flavor that balances the sweetness. White wine vinegar or rice vinegar can be substituted.
* **Poppy Seeds:** 2 tablespoons poppy seeds. These add a nutty flavor and a pleasant texture to the dressing.
* **Dijon Mustard:** 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard. Dijon mustard adds a subtle savory note and helps to emulsify the dressing.
* **Onion (or Shallot) Powder:** 1/4 teaspoon onion (or shallot) powder. This enhances the overall flavor of the dressing.
* **Salt and Pepper:** To taste. Season the dressing to your preference.

## Equipment You’ll Need

* Large Salad Bowl
* Small Mixing Bowl (for the dressing)
* Whisk (for the dressing)
* Measuring Cups and Spoons
* Cutting Board
* Knife
* Skillet (for cooking bacon, if using)
* Tongs or Slotted Spoon (for bacon)
* Salad Spinner (optional, for drying spinach)

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Now, let’s get to the fun part – making the salad!

**1. Prepare the Spinach:**

* Wash the spinach thoroughly in cold water. Remove any wilted or damaged leaves.
* Dry the spinach well. You can use a salad spinner or pat it dry with paper towels. Thoroughly dried spinach will prevent the salad from becoming soggy.
* Place the dried spinach in a large salad bowl.

**2. Cook the Bacon (if using):**

* Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. You can also bake the bacon in the oven at 400°F for about 15-20 minutes.
* Remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.
* Once the bacon has cooled slightly, crumble it into small pieces.

**3. Prepare the Toppings:**

* Thinly slice the red onion. If you find red onion too strong, soak it in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow the flavor. Drain well before adding to the salad.
* Drain the mandarin oranges thoroughly.
* Slice the strawberries. If using other berries, prepare them accordingly.
* Toast the almonds or pecans (if using raw nuts). Toasting enhances their flavor. You can toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until lightly golden brown and fragrant. Alternatively, toast them in the oven at 350°F for a few minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.

**4. Make the Poppy Seed Dressing:**

* In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sugar, apple cider vinegar, poppy seeds, Dijon mustard, onion (or shallot) powder, salt, and pepper.
* Whisk until the dressing is smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. You may want to add more sugar for sweetness or more vinegar for tanginess.

**5. Assemble the Salad:**

* Add the crumbled bacon, sliced red onion, mandarin oranges, strawberries, and toasted almonds or pecans to the spinach in the salad bowl.
* Gently toss the ingredients together to combine.

**6. Dress the Salad:**

* Just before serving, pour the poppy seed dressing over the salad. Start with a small amount and add more to your liking. You don’t want to overdress the salad.
* Gently toss the salad to coat all the ingredients with the dressing.

**7. Serve Immediately:**

* Serve the spinach salad immediately to prevent the spinach from wilting. If you’re preparing the salad ahead of time, wait to add the dressing until just before serving.

## Tips for the Perfect Spinach Salad

* **Use Fresh, High-Quality Spinach:** The quality of the spinach will significantly impact the taste of the salad. Choose fresh, crisp spinach with no signs of wilting or yellowing.
* **Dry the Spinach Thoroughly:** Excess water will make the salad soggy and dilute the flavor of the dressing. Use a salad spinner or pat the spinach dry with paper towels.
* **Don’t Overdress the Salad:** Start with a small amount of dressing and add more as needed. Overdressing the salad will make it heavy and soggy.
* **Toast the Nuts:** Toasting the nuts enhances their flavor and adds a pleasant crunch to the salad.
* **Prepare the Dressing Ahead of Time:** The poppy seed dressing can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. This allows the flavors to meld together.
* **Assemble the Salad Just Before Serving:** To prevent the spinach from wilting, assemble the salad just before serving. You can prepare the individual components (spinach, toppings, dressing) ahead of time and then combine them when you’re ready to serve.
* **Adjust the Sweetness and Tanginess of the Dressing:** Taste the dressing and adjust the amount of sugar and apple cider vinegar to your liking. Some people prefer a sweeter dressing, while others prefer a more tangy dressing.

## Variations and Substitutions

One of the best things about this spinach salad is its versatility. Here are some ideas for variations and substitutions:

* **Different Fruits:** Substitute the strawberries and mandarin oranges with other fruits such as blueberries, raspberries, grapes, apple slices, or pear slices.
* **Different Nuts:** Use different types of nuts such as walnuts, pecans, cashews, or sunflower seeds. You can also use candied nuts for a sweeter flavor.
* **Different Cheeses:** Add crumbled feta cheese, goat cheese, blue cheese, or shredded Parmesan cheese for a salty and tangy flavor.
* **Protein Additions:** Add grilled chicken, grilled shrimp, hard-boiled eggs, or tofu for a heartier salad that can be served as a main course.
* **Vegetarian/Vegan Options:** Omit the bacon for a vegetarian version. To make it vegan, use vegan mayonnaise and ensure that the other ingredients are also vegan-friendly.
* **Different Greens:** While spinach is the classic choice, you can also use other greens such as mixed greens, romaine lettuce, or kale.
* **Add Dried Cranberries or Raisins:** These add a chewy texture and a touch of sweetness to the salad.

## Serving Suggestions

This spinach salad is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways:

* **Side Dish:** Serve it as a side dish with grilled chicken, fish, steak, or pork.
* **Main Course:** Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu to make it a heartier main course.
* **Potluck Dish:** It’s a perfect dish to bring to potlucks, picnics, and other gatherings.
* **Lunch Salad:** Pack it for lunch for a healthy and delicious meal.
* **Holiday Salad:** It’s a great addition to holiday meals such as Thanksgiving or Christmas.

## Storage Instructions

The dressed salad is best served immediately. However, you can store the individual components separately for later use.

* **Spinach:** Store washed and dried spinach in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
* **Toppings:** Store the toppings (bacon, red onion, mandarin oranges, strawberries, nuts) in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator.
* **Dressing:** Store the poppy seed dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

When ready to serve, combine the spinach, toppings, and dressing.

## Recipe Card

**Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing**

A classic and delicious salad that’s perfect for any occasion.

**Prep Time:** 20 minutes
**Cook Time:** 10 minutes (for bacon)
**Total Time:** 30 minutes

**Yields:** 6-8 servings

**Ingredients:**

* 10-12 ounces fresh spinach, washed and dried
* 6-8 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
* 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
* 1 (11-ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
* 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
* 1/2 cup toasted sliced almonds or pecans

*For the Poppy Seed Dressing:*

* 1/2 cup mayonnaise
* 1/4 cup granulated sugar
* 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
* 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
* 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
* 1/4 teaspoon onion (or shallot) powder
* Salt and pepper to taste

**Instructions:**

1. Wash and dry the spinach thoroughly. Place in a large salad bowl.
2. Cook the bacon until crispy, then crumble. Add to the spinach.
3. Add the sliced red onion, drained mandarin oranges, sliced strawberries, and toasted nuts to the bowl.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sugar, apple cider vinegar, poppy seeds, Dijon mustard, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
5. Just before serving, pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine.
6. Serve immediately.

**Notes:**

* Adjust the sweetness and tanginess of the dressing to your liking.
* Substitute the fruits and nuts with your favorite alternatives.
* For a vegetarian option, omit the bacon.
* Prepare the dressing and toppings ahead of time for easy assembly.

## Conclusion

This spinach salad with poppy seed dressing is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s both easy to make and incredibly versatile. With its delightful combination of flavors and textures, it’s a salad that you’ll find yourself making again and again. So gather your ingredients, follow the steps, and enjoy this timeless classic!

Enjoy!