Sweetheart Berry Poppy Salad (Printable)

Fresh mixed berries, greens, and poppy seed dressing combine in a crisp, colorful salad.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad Base

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 crumbled feta cheese
06 - ½ cup chopped candied pecans or walnuts

→ 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, strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries in a large salad bowl and toss gently to distribute berries evenly.
03 - Drizzle the prepared poppy seed dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients without bruising the delicate berries.
04 - Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese and chopped candied pecans or walnuts over the top of the dressed salad.
05 - Serve the salad right away while greens remain crisp and berries are fresh for optimal texture and flavor.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The homemade poppy seed dressing comes together in seconds and tastes infinitely better than anything store bought
  • Its the kind of salad that disappears first at potlucks even from people who usually skip the greens
02 -
  • The dressing keeps for a week in the fridge but give it a good shake or whisk before using again because separation happens
  • Wait until the last possible moment to dress this salad or you will end up with soggy greens and sad berries
03 -
  • Dry your greens thoroughly after washing because water on the leaves prevents the dressing from coating properly
  • Let the berries come to room temperature before serving to maximize their natural sweetness

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