This is a spinach salad with sliced strawberries, avocado, and corn, dressed in a honey-shallot vinaigrette built on two vinegars and poppy seeds. It comes together in 15 minutes with no cooking required. That combination of sweet fruit, creamy avocado, and a tangy dressing that actually has some body to it is genuinely hard to beat on a busy night.
Before you start
The dressing is the one thing worth doing ahead. Letting it sit for a couple of hours allows the shallot to mellow and the poppy seeds to hydrate slightly, which helps the dressing cling to the leaves instead of sliding off. If you only have 20 minutes, whisk it first and refrigerate it while you prep everything else โ even that short rest helps. The other thing that matters: dry your spinach thoroughly after washing. Wet leaves dilute the dressing and make the whole salad watery before you even sit down.
About the ingredients
- Two vinegars (red wine + cider): Each one does something different โ red wine vinegar adds sharpness, cider vinegar adds a softer, slightly fruity tang. If you only have one, use it; the dressing still works.
- Shallot: Mince it as finely as you can. Coarse pieces taste sharp and raw in a cold dressing. A microplane or the fine side of a box grater works well if knife skills are not your strong suit.
- Honey: This is the ingredient that balances the vinegar and keeps the dressing from tasting flat. If you need a substitute, brown sugar dissolves well and works in the same quantity.
- Corn kernels: The recipe calls for cooked corn. Frozen corn thawed at room temperature is the fastest option on a weeknight โ no need to heat it.
If something goes sideways
- Dressing separates and looks broken: This is an emulsion without a binder like mustard, so separation is normal. Shake or re-whisk it just before pouring โ it comes back together immediately.
- Avocado turns brown before serving: Slice it at the last possible moment. If you cut it early, toss the slices in a small squeeze of lemon or lime juice to slow oxidation.
- Salad tastes flat despite following the recipe: Taste the dressing before it goes on the greens. Vinegar strength varies by brand, so you may need a small extra pinch of salt or a few more drops of honey to bring it into balance.
- Greens wilt almost immediately after dressing: Dress it at the table โ a pre-dressed salad goes limp fast. Keep the dressing in a jar on the side until everyone is ready to eat.
- Strawberries are bland or underripe: Toss the sliced strawberries with a tiny pinch of sugar and let them sit for 5 minutes. They will release juice and taste noticeably sweeter.
Keeping it fresh
Store each component separately if you are making this ahead. Dressed salad does not keep โ the spinach softens within 30 minutes. Undressed, the greens hold well in a sealed container lined with a paper towel for up to two days. Sliced strawberries keep in the fridge for about a day before they get soft and weepy, so slice them the day you plan to eat. The dressing keeps in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to five days and actually improves after the first day. Avocado is the most time-sensitive component; slice it right before serving no matter what.
Delicious Strawberry Poppy Seed Salad
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons shallots minced
- 1ยฝ tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- โ teaspoon salt
- 1 pinch ground black pepper
- 5-10 ounces baby spinach other dark greens work too!
- 1 pint strawberries sliced
- 1 medium avocado sliced
- ยผ cup corn kernels cooked
Instructions
- Combine the dressing ingredients together, cover and chill for 2 hours or more. If you donโt have that time, thatโs fine too. The longer the dressing sits, the better!
- For the salad, layer the lettuce, strawberries, avocado, and corn kernels. Pour the chilled dressing over the salad and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Common questions
Can I make this salad ahead for a party or potluck?
Yes, but keep everything separate until just before serving. Pack the dressing in a jar, store the greens and toppings in separate containers, and assemble on-site โ the whole thing takes under two minutes to put together at the last moment.
What protein can I add to make this a full meal?
Grilled chicken is the most straightforward option and is noted in the recipe. Sliced grilled fish also works well. Add it on top after dressing so the greens underneath stay intact.
Can I use a different green instead of baby spinach?
Yes โ mixed greens or arugula both work. Arugula adds a peppery note that plays well against the sweet strawberries, though it wilts a little faster than spinach once dressed.
My family does not like poppy seeds. Can I leave them out?
You can, but the dressing will be thinner and less interesting texturally. Toasted sesame seeds are a reasonable swap if you want to keep some texture in the dressing.
How do I keep the avocado from going brown if I am serving this over a couple of hours?
Slice the avocado as late as possible and toss the pieces lightly in lemon or lime juice right away. This slows browning by 30 to 45 minutes, which is usually enough for a meal or casual gathering.