Strawberry Spinach Salad & Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing

post updated 03/10/2026

This Strawberry Spinach Salad with homemade Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing is, for me, the quintessential West Michigan summer salad. Everyone has their own version, slightly different, mostly the same, always delicious! I add fresh crisp romaine lettuce to the mix, and what nuts I add depends on what I have on hand in my pantry. This salad is perfect as a side salad, it transitions perfectly to main with the addition of a protein, and if you have a potluck that you need to bring a dish to pass this fresh spring salad is the perfect choice!

Why I love this salad so much

Growing up it was always a treat to take a drive to Rockford, a quaint little town northeast of where I grew up, and eat at Arnies restaurant and bakery on the river.  Still a treat but without the drive we would go to the Leonard location.  I’m making the claim that Arnies restaurant put the Strawberry Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing on the culinary map.  Do not argue me on this. What you grew up with the same salad in Texas? Well someone in Texas must have come to Michigan and stole the recipe back to the south, cause I’m pretty sure Grand Rapids is the birth place of this salad. If you go to Arnies it’s called the Riviera Salad.  Arnies makes their own Riviera Dressing which you can purchase in their restaurants or in grocery stores, maybe it’s in your grocery store!  But if it’s not you can use your favorite store bought poppy seed salad dressing. Or do one better and make my homemade lemon poppyseed dressing!

Since I originally posted this recipe, twelve years ago, Arnies restaurant and bakery has closed. They still have a bakery that you can get all the cakes and baked goods they are famous for, but you can no longer go to the restaurant. It’s a sad day when a long time local favorite restaurant closes. RIP Arnies.

So back to the salad! I make this salad all year round, but especially during strawberry season, it’s on repeat in our house. .  I know not everyone is up for fruit on their salad, but really I think this salad will win you over to the sweeter side of salad!  It’s super easy and versatile.  I have added blueberries and feta cheese for a Red White and Blue  version of this salad!  

Gather these ingredients

Making the homemade Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing

Add mayonnaise, sour cream, sugar, white balsamic vinegar, dry mustard powder, salt, and lemon extract to your blender. Place the lid on and blend on high for one minute. Scrap down the sides. While running blender on low, remove the center cap of the blender lid and drizzle in vegetable oil. Return center cap and turn blender on high and blend for at least one minute on high. Pour dressing into a mason jar then add poppy seeds, stir with a spoon. Store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

If I were a bragger, I would for sure go around bragging about this dressing. It is absolute perfection. It took me some years of messing around to get it perfect. So anyway. I am not a bragger, so forget I said anything.

How to make Strawberry Spinach Salad

Slice red onion into thin slices. Place in a bowl or in a pint sized mason jar, pour vinegar over onions, and then add enough water to cover onions, stir to combine. Set aside. Try to do this at least 30 minutes before assembling the salad.

Toasting almonds or pecans: place pecans or almonds on a cookie sheet and place in a 350 degree oven for 5 minutes. You can also place nuts in a non-stick pan over medium heat continue to move nuts around until they start to smell toasty and start to brown remove from heat and dump them on a plate or a piece of parchment paper to cool.

Wash romaine lettuce. I like to cut mine up into bite sized pieces place in my salad spinner and rinse in ice cold water a least three times before spinning of excess water. Place lettuce in large salad bowl.

Clean fresh spinach. Place in salad spinner and rinse in ice cold water a 3-4 times before spinning of excess water. I usually opt to buy prewashed spinach but in the summer if I get it from the farmers market I’m sure to was it well, because spinach can hold on to sand. Add washed spinach to the romaine. Tear up any large leaves into bite sized pieces. Toss greens to combine.

Assembling the salad ingredients

Just before serving add the sliced fresh strawberries, add as many onions as you would like, sprinkle with the toasted nuts, and at this point you can toss with your poppy seed dressing recipe or you can set it on the side with a spoon so your guests can dress their own salad.

Variations

• Try different berries: Blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries are delicious additions or substitutes for strawberries.
• Mandarin Oranges: Sprinkle this salad with a mandarin orange wedges. You can use fresh or I also like to use the canned variety.
• Add grilled chicken: Turn this salad into a complete meal by adding sliced grilled chicken, rotisserie chicken, or grilled shrimp.
• Swap the greens: I love to swap out the fresh baby spinach for arugula. The peppery flavor of the arugula pairs well with the homemade salad dressing. Or use spring mix instead of romaine for a slightly different flavor and texture.
• Add avocado: the salad ingredients pair well with the creamy avocado. Cut the avocado in chunks and toss with fresh lemon to keep it from browning before adding it to the salad.
• Make it nut-free: If you do not like nuts or there is an a nut allergy, leave them out. You could add sunflower seeds or pepitas for added crunch.
• Add Cheese: Feta cheese is fabulous on this salad. (We don’t eat very much dairy so that’s why it’s not part of the core recipe.) Crumbled goat cheese also pairs well, especially one thats flavored with lemon or herbs.
• Swap a 1/4 cup honey for the sugar in the poppy seed dressing recipe.
• Swapping out oil in salad dressing: If you would rather not use vegetable oil, try to swap out for an oil like avocado that doesn’t add any flavor. Olive oil changes the flavor of the dressing too much for my taste.

Final notes…

Simple ingredients make this salad, perfect for any dinner party, or summer party menu. It’s perfect as a side dish or add a protein to make it the main course! I’m telling you this is one of the best summer salads, it is easy to change depending on what berries are in season, and is always a favorite with all ages.

 A few more favorite strawberry recipes

Strawberry Cake

Strawberry Ice Cream

Strawberry Shortcake

I hope your family and friends love this salad as much as our does. One more thing I forgot to say is this is also one of my favorite meals to share. I separate the ingredients and give instructions on how to assemble. It’s the perfect change from a heavy casserole. Please take the time to give this recipe a star rating in the recipe card below. If you make it snap a picture and share on your socials tagging Eat2gather. I love to see what your making. From our table to yours with love, Sheila