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Fresh Copycat Panera Strawberry Poppyseed Salad Recipe Easy Homemade Salad Dressing

copycat panera strawberry poppyseed salad - featured image
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A fresh and flavorful salad featuring baby spinach, strawberries, toasted pecans, feta cheese, and a homemade sweet and tangy poppyseed dressing. Perfect for a quick, light lunch or brunch.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups fresh baby spinach, washed and dried
  • 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries, sliced
  • ¾ cup crumbled feta cheese
  • ½ cup toasted pecans, roughly chopped
  • 2 tablespoons red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup plain full-fat Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Rinse and dry 6 cups of baby spinach thoroughly.
  2. Slice 1 ½ cups of fresh strawberries into thin pieces.
  3. Thinly slice 2 tablespoons of red onion if using.
  4. Roughly chop ½ cup of pecans and toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned. Let cool.
  5. In a small bowl or jar, combine ¼ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon poppy seeds, and 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard.
  6. Add ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Whisk or shake vigorously until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust sweetness or tang as needed. The dressing should be thick but pourable.
  7. In a large bowl, gently toss the baby spinach with the sliced strawberries, toasted pecans, and red onion slices.
  8. Sprinkle ¾ cup crumbled feta cheese evenly on top.
  9. Drizzle the poppyseed dressing over the salad just before serving to keep the spinach crisp.
  10. Toss lightly to coat everything evenly. Serve immediately for the freshest texture and flavor.

Notes

Toast pecans carefully to avoid burning. Keep dressing and salad separate until serving to prevent spinach from wilting. Dressing can be made up to a week ahead and stored refrigerated. For dairy-free or vegan versions, substitute yogurt, mayonnaise, and feta with plant-based alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry salad, poppyseed dressing, Panera copycat, fresh salad, easy salad recipe, homemade dressing, spinach salad, healthy lunch

Find it online: https://lucydishes.com/fresh-copycat-panera-strawberry-poppyseed-salad-recipe-easy-homemade-salad-dressing/