Sweetheart Berry Poppy Salad (Print Page)

Vibrant mix of berries, greens, feta, and poppy seed dressing for a fresh summer salad.

# What You Need:

→ Salad Components

01 - 6 cups mixed salad greens (baby spinach, arugula, romaine)
02 - 1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced
03 - 1 cup fresh raspberries
04 - 1 cup fresh blueberries
05 - ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
06 - ½ cup candied pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped

→ Poppy Seed Dressing

07 - ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
08 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
09 - 1 tablespoon honey
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
11 - 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
12 - ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, lemon juice, poppy seeds, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until fully emulsified and smooth.
02 - Place mixed salad greens in a large serving bowl. Add sliced strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries, distributing evenly across the greens.
03 - Drizzle the prepared poppy seed dressing over the salad. Using salad tongs or large spoons, toss gently to coat all ingredients without crushing the delicate berries.
04 - Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese and chopped candied pecans or walnuts over the top of the dressed salad as a garnish.
05 - Serve right away while greens remain crisp and berries are fresh. This salad does not sit well with dressing applied, so plate individual portions directly after tossing.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It transforms ordinary salad into something that feels like a celebration, with minimal effort and maximum payoff
  • The homemade dressing comes together in seconds but tastes like something from a fancy restaurant
02 -
  • I learned the hard way that adding the dressing too early makes everything soggy, so wait until the last possible moment before tossing
  • The dressing keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to a week, so double the batch and you're halfway to tomorrow's lunch
03 -
  • Dry your berries thoroughly after washing to prevent the dressing from sliding right off
  • Let the dressing sit for 10 minutes before using to let the poppy seeds soften slightly and the flavors meld

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