Strawberry Salad – pretty as a picture and tastes even better! With spinach, lightly candied pecans, avocado, feta and a poppyseed dressing, this is a bit of a show off salad but it’s super straightforward and worth the effort.
One of the most fabulous new salads I’ve tried in years!
Strawberry Salad
I’m finding more and more that I’m being nominated as the designated Salad Bringer. Something about people thinking I cook so much for my job, surely I don’t want to make something big to bring along.
Pfft! Side salad? I want to do the centrepiece!!! Or a show stopping dessert! 😂
So I’ve been progressively building an arsenal of what I call “Show-Off” salads – to make myself feel better, that I’m making a worthy contribution. You want a side salad?? I’ll show you a side salad!!
They’re not technically challenging or calling for fussy gourmet ingredients.
They’re just extra special salads that look as great as they taste – and this Strawberry Salad is my latest!
There’s a few components to this salad:
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Poppyseed Dressing – dump and shake
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Lightly candied pecans – quick and easy, 5 minute job
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The salad part – chopping the strawberries is the part that takes the longest!
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Assembling – dress the spinach, then layer up the salad. No point tossing, the strawberries end up at the bottom!
What you need
Baby spinach is my favourite type of green fluffage for this salad because it’s got a lovely mild flavour and a soft texture that I think goes well with strawberries. Other mild lettuces will work well – just avoid ones like rocket/arugula (peppery) and radicchio (bitter).
The avocado is optional, I’d happily scoff this salad down even without. But it’s so good WITH it – that little creaminess with all the other stuff going on here is terrific!
The pecans are just lightly candied because we don’t need tons of sweetness (nor toffee sticking in our teeth). The strawberries add enough fresh sweetness, and also the dressing is not the zingy sour type, it’s creamy and a bit sweet.
Poppyseed Dressing – So much more than just another dressing with the addition of lots of little black bits! The poppyseed add nuttiness to the dressing which adds an extra something-something to this salad.
It’s not as zingy as most dressings – it’s a bit creamy (from the mayo) with a touch of sweet. And I think it goes so well with the fresh juicy sweetness of strawberries!
I find that Strawberry Salads are best layered rather than tossed. If you toss it all together, then all the good stuff ends up on the bottom of the bowl!
(The good “stuff” being the strawberries, candied pecans, avocado and feta.😂)
So the way I put this salad together, I toss the spinach with a bit of dressing, then layer it up as shown below. Usually 3 layers for a giant salad for gatherings, or 2 if it’s just a smaller side salad for dinner.
Make this Strawberry Salad as…
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Side salad for dinner – I usually skip the candied pecans and just use plain pecans. It’s pretty quick to put together if you skip this. It fresh enough to pair with mains with big flavours, such as BBQ Beef Brisket. But also flavourful and interesting enough to have on the side of quick everyday mains such as Garlic Chicken Thighs, Baked Fish, sticky country style Baked Pork Chops or some quick Garlic Prawns (Shrimp!)
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A meal in itself – it’s so scoffable, this is definitely a salad worthy of a meal! I’ve been having it for lunch with nothing else on the side and its kept me satisfied all afternoon. Mind you, I had generous servings!
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Try adding chicken! This Marinated Chicken Breast is ideal, or this Baked Chicken Breast. Slice it and serve on top or on the side.
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IMPRESS YOUR FAMILY and FRIENDS! Take this to the next gathering where you’re asked to bring a salad and bask in the glow of praises!
Yes, the last point is the main purpose behind the creation of this salad and yes, I’m really that immature. 😇 – Nagi x
More Show Off Salads
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Apple Salad with Candied Walnuts and Cranberries – that’s plumped cranberries, not just shrivelled up dried ones!
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Pearl Couscous Salad and Wild Rice Salad – colourful, loaded with textures and colours, I make both of these regularly all year round
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Prawn Mango Avocado Summer Salad – reserved for very special occasions!
Watch how to make it
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Strawberry Avocado Salad
Ingredients
Salad:
- 180g / 6 oz baby spinach
- 1 red onion (small), halved and finely sliced
- 375g / 12 oz ripe strawberries , sliced (Note 1)
- 2 avocados , quartered and sliced (Note 2)
- 120g / 4oz feta , crumbled
Candied Pecans (Note 3):
- 1 tbsp (15g) butter, unsalted
- 3 tbsp white sugar
- 1 cup pecans , roughly chopped
Poppyseed Dressing:
- 1 tbsp eschallots (French onion), very finely chopped
- 2.5 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 5 tbsp olive oil
- 1.5 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp white sugar
- 1 tbsp poppyseeds
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Place Dressing ingredients in a jar and shake well. Set aside for 10 minutes+ (keeps for a week).
Candied Pecans:
- Place butter and sugar in a non stick skillet over medium high. When butter is melted, add nuts.
- Stir 5 minutes - sugar will go sandy, then eventually melt into a caramel.
- Once sugar melts, cook for 2 minutes then spread pecans out on tray.
- Cool then break to separate.
Assemble Salad:
- Place spinach and onion in a bowl, drizzle with about 3 tbsp Dressing, toss.
- Transfer 1/3 spinach in a bowl. Scatter over 1/3 of each strawberries, avocado, feta, pecans. Drizzle with a bit of dressing.
- Top with another 1/3 spinach, strawberries, avocado, feta, pecans, then a bit more Dressing. Repeat once more.
- Serve immediately!
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Life of Dozer
He couldn’t figure out how to get through the dog door with his new toy….
Ahhh Dozer. You might not be the sharpest tool in the shed but you’ve got a heart of gold and you’re damn cute, so we love you anyway! 😂
I took this to a friends’ place for lunch. There was some skepticism about strawberries in a salad, but their tune changed pretty quickly. Wow! Everyone raved about it. And yes, the pecans were the highlight. Outstanding salad. So easy and will definitely make again and again.
Wow…. this is my new best friend salad. I have made it 3 times now for different guests and everyone is totally hooked on my food… I’m such a great cook. I then have to admit it’s your recipe then I share your fabulous website with them. I have cooked so many of your dishes since I discovered your mouthwatering recipes. Thank you Nagi for sharing your knowledge 💓💓
Wow…. this is my new best friend salad. I have made it 3 times now for different guests and everyone is totally hooked on my food… I’m such a great cook. I then have to admit it’s your recipe then I share your fabulous website with them. I have cooked so many of your dishes since I discovered your mouthwatering recipes. Thank you Nagi for sharing your knowledge 💓💓
Made this during Christmas. Indeed, this is a show stopper salad – the color is amazing, super yummy and so many delightful texture. The candied pecans are the star… Thanks Nagi…
Hi Nagi, I made this salad as an extra for Christmas Day lunch, and wow, wow, wow! I am not a big salad fan, but I would eat this every time, it’s so tasty and simple to put together. I skipped the poppy seeds, personal choice I guess. Loved it and so did the family, thanks!
Hi. Can I get a video of the avo prep ahead please. Thanks!
Hi Liz, it’s just peeled and chopped into chunks here 🙂 N x
Thanks Nagi! I meant, if I meant to take the salad for a picnic. What’s the best way to store it? Thanks again!
Strawberries in the salad, such a great idea. Absolutely delicious. Creamy, sweet and tangy.
Thank you Nagi xx
They make all the difference Viktoriya! N x
I had picked a whole flat of Strawberries, End of February is the start of Strawberry season in FL. I made this incredible salad! I substituted goat cheese and slivered almonds because I had that on hand. It was delicious!
Sounds divine Lisa! N x
Simply delicious, the candied pecans were so tasty and crunchy. I get so many compliments for all your recipes. All my guests now know your website 🙂
I cannot stop myself from eating them before they make it to the salad Simone 😂 N x
A show off salad for sure! Everyone asked me for the recipe, so I have forwarded the website link (even if I had originally planned to keep the hidden gem for my eyes only!). You’re about to be famous in France 😉
I have been making this recipe for quite some time and am still in love! I triple the dressing and use it almost everyday for lunch. Thank you for sharing so many tasty recipes!
This is a tasty salad and would make a great addition to a southern hemisphere Christmas celebration! My family loved it! A real keeper for sure.
Yes definitely Jane!!!
This is a tasty salad and would make addition to a southern hemisphere Christmas celebration! My family loved it! A real keeper for sure.
Looks delicious. Just wondering if it would work without the mayo? Or would that be missing the point? My husband is not a big fan.
Amazing flavors! Made this salad as a side for a party. Everyone raved and not a bite leftover.
Perfect Renee, you’ll be the salad queen in no time!
What a tasty, light, fresh and different salad! Perfect as an evening meal on a hot summer‘s night with crusty french bread and a glass of bubbly. I think the caramelized nuts (used walnuts) played an important part here, as did the feta cheese, to enhance all the flavors of this very well composed salad.
Yes, it all works so well together, I’m so glad you loved it!
Absolutely amazing ❤️🍓
thank you once again Nagi ☺️
You’re so welcome Jenny, I’m so glad you loved it!
This is a DELICIOUS salad – thank you! My new favourite.
You’re so welcome Kay, I’m so happy you liked it!
Once again, your recipe was a hit. Admittedly, when I let the family know I was making this, they all have me that weird look, like I was the weirdo.It was the, Here’s-mom-trying-a-new-recipe kind of look. Some of you may know what I’m talking about, the half smile, rolling of the eyes.
They said they would try it to humor me, I suppose. But boy! When they tasted it!… Everyone was amazed that such things like strawberries and nuts could go so well with spinach. And the dressing! It was a total victory. I only wish I could take total credit for the recipe. Thanks again, Nagi, for another wonderful meal
Yasssssss! I’m so glad they gave it a go!
Made this strawberry and avocado salad. My other half was sceptical. I said trust Nagi who is a household name in our house. It was just delicious. I shall make this often, thanks Nagi for making our meals delicious and interesting
I know, it sounds weird but how good is it!?! Thanks for leaving a comment Trudy! – Nx
Hi Nagi, you were right when you said this was a show off salad. Delicious!!!!
My new favourite.
I used candied sesame peanuts instead of the candied pecans.
It looks delicious! Do you think I can sub strawberries with blueberries? My BF is allergic to them
Sure could!