Description
A vibrant and refreshing Blueberry Spinach Salad featuring fresh baby spinach, sweet blueberries, crunchy toasted walnuts, and tangy feta cheese, all tossed in a zesty orange poppy seed dressing that’s both light and flavorful. Perfect for a quick, healthy meal or a delightful side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped and toasted
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp poppy seeds
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the spinach: Rinse the fresh baby spinach leaves thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt or grit. Then, dry them completely using a salad spinner or clean kitchen towel to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together fresh orange juice, honey, Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, and extra virgin olive oil until the mixture is smooth and emulsified, creating a flavorful orange poppy seed dressing.
- Assemble the salad: In a large salad bowl, add the prepared baby spinach as the base. Layer the blueberries evenly over the spinach, followed by thinly sliced red onions, toasted chopped walnuts, and crumbled feta cheese to create a colorful and textured salad.
- Dress the salad: Just before serving, drizzle the prepared orange poppy seed dressing evenly over the salad. Gently toss the ingredients together to coat everything lightly and evenly with dressing while maintaining the salad’s vibrant textures.
- Serve immediately: Transfer the tossed salad onto plates or bowls and serve right away to enjoy the fresh flavors and crisp textures at their best.
Notes
- Toast walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant for enhanced flavor.
- Use fresh orange juice for the best dressing taste; bottled juice can be used in a pinch but may alter flavor.
- Dress the salad just before serving to keep the spinach crisp and avoid sogginess.
- For a vegan option, substitute honey with maple syrup and omit feta cheese or use a plant-based alternative.
- Leftover dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
