My Strawberry Poppyseed Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish that perfectly balances sweet, tangy, and slightly nutty flavors. It’s a popular choice for a light summer lunch, a side salad at brunch, or even a starter for a more substantial meal.
Summer means beautiful fresh strawberries. These are two of my favorite recipes strawberry scones recipe and my strawberry jam (no pectin).
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Why this Strawberry Poppyseed Salad Recipe is a Keeper
Indulge in this easy prep Panera Bread copycat salad with succulent strawberries and creamy homemade poppyseed dressing in just 10 minutes or less for a healthy yet satisfying meal.
- 30 Minute Meal: This recipe is quick and easy!
- Bright and Refreshing: The combination of sweet strawberries, crunchy nuts, and tangy dressing creates a vibrant and satisfying salad.
- Easy to Make: It requires minimal cooking and straightforward assembly.
- Versatile: It can be served as a side dish, appetizer, or light meal.
- Customizable: You can easily adapt the ingredients and flavors to your preferences.
- Visually Appealing: The colorful ingredients and layered textures make it an attractive dish.
How long will the homemade poppy seed dressing last?
Homemade poppyseed dressing will generally last in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 weeks when stored properly in an airtight container such as a mason jar.
Pro Tip for this Strawberry Salad
Layer Ingredients: Layer the ingredients for an attractive presentation.
Ingredient Notes and Variation Suggestions for Strawberry Spinach Salad
This heavenly strawberry salad with poppy seed dressing will become your new healthy favorite. This dish is quick and effortless to make, leaving you more time to enjoy summer fun and soak up the beautiful sunshine.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Romaine Lettuce: Make the salad with the greens that you would like.
- VARIATION: Try using spinach leaves and make a spinach strawberry salad recipe.
- Fresh Strawberries:
- VARIATION: Use other berries like blueberries, raspberries, or blackNut Variations: Use pecans, walnuts, almonds, or sunflower seeds.
- Cheese Variations: Add crumbled feta, goat cheese, or blue cheese. Greens Variations: Use spinach, arugula, or mixed greens. Add Some Protein Additions: Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas for a heartier salad.
- Dressing Variations: Use a balsamic vinaigrette, honey mustard dressing, or a citrus vinaigrette. Grain Additions: Add quinoa, or farro.
How to Make Salad with Creamy Poppyseed Dressing
This Strawberry Poppyseed Salad is a breeze to make with your pantry staples. All it takes is the snap of your fingers to whip up this copycat Panera Bread strawberry poppyseed salad.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Prepare Ingredients: First, wash your ingredients. Next, cut strawberries and red onion into slices and chop lettuce.
- Make Salad Dressing: Then in a large bowl with a whisk, or in a jar with a lid, add your dressing ingredients together. Then, whisk together or shake until dressing is mixed well.
- Serve and Dress your Salad: Finally, arrange lettuce on a platter or large salad bowl and assemble your salad with toppings and drizzle the salad with dressing.
Make Ahead Suggestions for the Poppyseed Salad
- Wash and Slice Strawberries: Wash and slice the strawberries ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator.
- Toast Nuts: Toast the nuts in advance and store them in an airtight container.
- Make the Dressing: Prepare the poppyseed dressing ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator.
- Wash and Dry Greens: Wash and dry the salad greens and store them in a sealed bag or container.
How to Store and Use Leftover Strawberry Poppyseed Dressing
Here is the best way to store and use leftovers of this panera copycat salad.
- Storing: Storing this type of salad can be a bit trickier because the ingredients can react differently once dressed. The best approach is often to store the components separately if you anticipate having leftovers.
- If you have dress the Salad: If the salad is already fully assembled and dressed, it’s best consumed as soon as possible. However, if you have leftovers:
- Airtight container: Store the dressed salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Expect changes in texture: Be aware that the lettuce will likely wilt and become less crisp, and the strawberries might soften further. The dressing may also make the salad a bit soggy.
- Use within 1-2 days: Dressed salad leftovers are best consumed within a day or two, as the quality deteriorates quickly.
- Using Leftover salad: Add protein to the leftovers. Use chicken breast, rotisserie chicken or avocado to the salad and pour on a little extra dressing.
Common Questions About This Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette Recipe
Of course, you can make the salad without mayonnaise or use a vegan variety for the creamy dressing.
The key to keeping your recipe fresh is to store your ingredients seperately and refrigerate until you are ready to serve. When ready lace in a serving bowl and toss to combine. Place dressing over the top and have extra dressing on the side of the delicious salad.
Answer the question with yes, no, sometimes…then provide an explanation.
Can include bulleted lists here.
Try using mandarin oranges, toasted pecans, cheese crumbles or dried cranberries. You can add lemon to the dressing and make a lemon poppyseed dressing.
Expert Tips for Making Poppyseed Salad
Use fresh ingredients for a real crowd pleaser summer salad.
- Use Ripe Strawberries: Ripe strawberries are sweeter and more flavorful.
- Toast the Nuts: Toasting the nuts enhances their flavor and texture.
- Use Quality Dressing Ingredients: Fresh lemon juice and good quality vinegar will make a big difference in the dressing flavor.
- Toss Gently: Toss the salad gently to avoid bruising the strawberries.
- Chill Ingredients: Chill the ingredients before assembling the salad for a refreshing dish.
- Use a high quality oil: a high quality oil, will help the dressing taste better.
- Serve this recipe with: Cuban Black Bean Soup, Mosaic Jello (Milk Jello) and Asian Grilled Chicken.
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Strawberry Poppyseed Salad
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Ingredients
Salad
- 4 cups Romaine lettuce
- ½ small Red Onion
- 10-15 Fresh strawberries
Dressing
- ½ cup Mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Sugar
- 2 tablespoons White wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Poppy seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the greens and fruits by washing them thoroughly.
- Cut the strawberries and red onion into slices and chop your romaine hearts.
- In a large bowl with a whisk, or in a jar with a lid, add mayonnaise, white wine vinegar, poppy seeds and sugar to make your dressing. Whisk together or shake to combine ingredients well.
- Place romaine lettuce on a platter or large salad bowl, then layer the strawberries and red onion on top.
- Drizzle the salad with poppy seed dressing and serve.
Christina’s Notes
- Use Ripe Strawberries: Ripe strawberries are sweeter and more flavorful.
- Toast the Nuts: Toasting the nuts enhances their flavor and texture.
- Use Quality Dressing Ingredients: Fresh lemon juice and good quality vinegar will make a big difference in the dressing flavor.
- Toss Gently: Toss the salad gently to avoid bruising the strawberries.
- Chill Ingredients: Chill the ingredients before assembling the salad for a refreshing dish.
- Use a high quality oil: a high quality oil, will help the dressing taste better.
- Serve this recipe with: Cuban Black Bean Soup, Mosaic Jello (Milk Jello) and Asian Grilled Chicken.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
IT’S FABULOUS! Don’t wait for summer to get here – it’s too good and beautiful to wait until summer! Pairs well with fresh (or frozen) breaded baked Cod, potatoes and freshly cut up boiled carrots. The dressing is light and sooo refreshing!
Not only does this look delicious, it is absolutely gorgeous! Can’t wait to make this recipe!
Perfect salad for summer! I will be making this as soon as I get more CK Mondavi Rose Moscato! That wine goes fast, it’s so easy to drink. Can’t wait to try this pairing. cheers!
This sounds like such a great and tasty pairing! I bet the flavors go together so well!