Vibrant Strawberry Pecan Salad Recipe with Easy Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing
A fresh and colorful salad combining sweet strawberries, crunchy toasted pecans, mixed greens, and a creamy poppy seed dressing. Perfect for quick meals, entertaining, and warm-weather gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- Mixed baby greens or spring mix
- 1 ½ cups (225g) fresh ripe strawberries, sliced
- ½ cup (60g) toasted pecans
- ½ cup (75g) crumbled feta cheese (optional)
- ¼ cup (40g) thinly sliced red onion
- ⅓ cup (80ml) mayonnaise
- ¼ cup (60ml) Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) honey
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (9g) poppy seeds
- ¼ teaspoon (1.5g) salt
- Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently until golden and fragrant. Set aside to cool.
- Rinse and dry the mixed greens thoroughly. Slice the strawberries about 1/4 inch thick. Thinly slice the red onion into half-moons.
- In a small bowl or jar, combine mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, honey, apple cider vinegar, poppy seeds, salt, and black pepper. Whisk or shake vigorously until smooth and creamy. Adjust honey or vinegar to taste.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine baby greens, sliced strawberries, toasted pecans, crumbled feta, and sliced red onions. Drizzle about half the dressing over the salad.
- Toss gently using salad tongs or clean hands to coat evenly without bruising the berries or greens. Add more dressing if desired.
- Serve immediately for best freshness. If holding before serving, keep dressing separate and toss just before eating.
Notes
Toast pecans carefully to avoid burning. Use fresh, ripe strawberries for best flavor and texture. Dry greens thoroughly to prevent sogginess. Dressing can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored refrigerated; stir before use. For dairy-free or vegan versions, substitute Greek yogurt with coconut yogurt, use vegan mayo, and omit feta or use plant-based cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 ½ cups per s
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 300
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 1.5
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 5
Keywords: strawberry salad, pecan salad, poppy seed dressing, creamy dressing, healthy salad, summer salad, easy salad recipe