1-First Step: Gather and Prep Your Ingredients Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F and spreading 3/4 cup raw pecans on a baking sheet. This step toasts them for 8 to 10 minutes until fragrant, which boosts their flavor and crunch don’t skip it for the best results. While the pecans toast, thinly slice 1/2 small red onion and soak it in cold water to reduce its sharpness, a simple trick that makes the salad more enjoyable.

2-Second Step: Make the Dressing In a bowl or jar, combine 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 1 1/2 tablespoons poppy seeds, 1 1/2 tablespoons honey, 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper. Whisk or shake until everything mixes well, creating a balanced dressing that ties the spinach strawberry salad together. Taste and adjust if needed, keeping in mind how it pairs with the sweet strawberries.

3-Third Step: Assemble the Base Once your pecans are toasted and roughly chopped, drain the red onion slices. In a large serving bowl, add 10 ounces of fresh baby spinach or a blend with arugula, then mix in 1 quart of hulled and quartered strawberries. This combination forms the heart of your strawberry salad, offering a mix of textures and flavors that can adapt to different preferences.

4-Fourth Step: Add Dressing and Toss Drizzle about half of the prepared dressing over the greens and strawberries, then toss gently to coat everything evenly be careful not to overdo it, as you can always add more. This step ensures each bite of your spinach salad is flavorful without making it soggy, and it’s a good spot to consider dietary tweaks like reducing oil for a lighter version.

5-Fifth Step: Finish and Serve Add the chopped pecans and 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese to the bowl, then toss lightly one more time. Serve your spinach strawberry salad right away for the freshest taste, and offer extra dressing on the side if guests want more. With a total time of around 20 minutes, this recipe fits into busy routines while allowing for variations like adding grilled chicken for extra protein.