Strawberry Poppyseed Salad with sweet strawberries, creamy avocado, candied almonds, and tangy feta, topped with the best quick poppyseed dressing.
Strawberry Poppyseed Salad Recipe
Growing up, my little sister always chose Panera for her birthday, and I loved their Broccoli Cheddar Soup and Strawberry Poppyseed Salad. After moving away with no Panera nearby, I had to recreate my favorite salad.
This Strawberry Poppyseed Salad is the perfect mix of creamy, sweet, and crunchy. Inspired by Panera, I kept the strawberries, nuts, and poppyseed dressing but swapped the other fruits for creamy avocado and tangy feta.
Ingredients In Strawberry Poppyseed Salad
- Sugared Almonds: Just sugar and almonds! Stir constantly while cooking to avoid burning. You can also buy these pre-made.
- Creamy Poppyseed Dressing: Blend well and taste before adding poppyseeds.
- Baby Spinach or Mixed Greens: Use a mix of greens or baby spinach.
- Strawberries: Sweet, fresh flavor. Slice just before adding to keep them juicy.
- Avocado: Use soft avocados and add last to keep them fresh.
- Feta Cheese: Adds a salty, rich flavor to the salad.
Quick Tip
The dressing is likely more than you will need for the strawberry poppyseed salad. Store leftovers in the fridge for 4-5 days and use them for other salads or for a fruit/veggie dip.
How To Make Strawberry Poppyseed Salad
- Candied Almonds: Stir while cooking to prevent the sugar from burning, and keep an eye on the almonds.
- Dressing: Taste the dressing before adding poppyseeds to make sure the flavor is just right.
- Salad: Add the avocado last to avoid it browning before serving.
Variations
Switch Things Up
- Fruit: Add blueberries, pineapple, or mandarin oranges for a similar flavor to Panera’s salad.
- Cheese: Swap feta for blue cheese or goat cheese, or leave out the cheese.
- Dressing: Homemade poppyseed dressing is highly recommended, but store-bought Brianna’s poppyseed dressing® works in a pinch.
- Nuts and Seeds: Use candied pecans, walnuts, or sunflower seeds for different textures.
What To Serve With Strawberry Poppyseed Salad
- Add Some Protein: Add Grilled chicken, Grilled Flank Steak, or Air Fryer Chickpeas to make your strawberry poppyseed salad more filling.
- Serve With Grains: Mix in some cooked Quinoa, Farro, or Brown Rice to make it heartier.
- Enjoy It Panera Style: Serve some French Bread, Dinner Rolls, or sourdough on the side. Pro tip: dredge your bread in some of the extra dressing!
- Enjoy As A Side: Serve your salad with Shepherds Pie, The Very Best Lasagna, or Short Ribs.
Storage
Strawberry Poppyseed Salad Storage
This salad doesn’t store well after assembly because the greens wilt, the avocado browns, and the almonds soften. Eat it soon after making.
To prepare in advance: Make the dressing and store it in the fridge in a mason jar. Prepare candied almonds early and store them in an airtight container. Assemble the rest of the salad just before serving.
More Fresh Salad Recipes
- Corn Salad loaded with fresh veggies
- California Pizza Kitchen copy cat Italian Chopped Salad
- Beet and Goat Cheese Salad with roasted beets
- Honey Mustard Salad Dressing with a grilled chicken salad
- Light and tangy Greek Pasta Salad
Easy Strawberry Poppyseed Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup mayo full-fat
- 2 tablespoons whole milk
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 lemon
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 8 cups (5 ounces) baby spinach or mixed greens
- 2 cups strawberries stems removed and sliced
- 1 large ripe avocado diced, or 2 small avocados
- 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
- Candied Almonds: Place sliced almonds and sugar in a pan over medium heat. Cook and stir constantly until sugar melts and coats almonds, 3–4 minutes. Watch carefully to avoid burning. Remove from heat and continue stirring until well coated. Spread on parchment paper to cool. Once hardened, break apart and set aside.
- Dressing: Zest lemon to get 1/2 teaspoon zest. In a small blender, combine zest with all dressing ingredients except poppyseeds and blend until smooth. Adjust flavors if needed, then stir in poppy seeds.
- Salad: Add greens to a large bowl. Top with sliced strawberries, diced avocado, feta cheese, and candied almonds. Drizzle with dressing, adding only to what will be eaten the same day; toss to combine (see note 2). Enjoy immediately.
Video
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I love decent spinach serving mixed greens; this one seems as though it wouldn’t frustrate. The candy-coated walnuts in here make my heart dissolve. I’m a sucker for a sugar-coated walnut yet in a plate of mixed greens! It should add the ideal pleasantness and crunch!
Yay! I hope you enjoy! 🙂
Made this and loved it!
So happy to hear! Thanks Tina! 🙂
I like salads a lot. Added my favorite fruits. It become more delicious and yummy. Thanks a lot
You’re welcome! 🙂
So good!! I added rotisserie chicken and red onion. Husband and I had seconds!
So thrilled this was a hit; thanks for the comment! 🙂