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Strawberry Avocado Salad: A Wholesome Twist on Summer
Youssef Hb

Strawberry Avocado Salad

A refreshing Mediterranean-inspired salad blending sweet strawberries and creamy avocado with a tangy poppyseed dressing. Topped with candied pecans and crumbled feta for a balanced mix of texture and flavor that's perfect for summer gatherings or healthy weeknight meals.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: DINNER
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 575
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 6 oz baby spinach, use organic if available
  • 1 small red onion, halved & sliced (swap with shallot if needed)
  • 12 oz strawberries (about 2 cups), in-season, sliced
  • 2 medium avocados, quartered & sliced
  • 4 oz feta cheese, crumbled (substitute with vegan alternative for non-dairy)
  • 1 cup pecans
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar for dressing
  • 3 tbsp olive oil for dressing
  • 1 tbsp honey for dressing
  • 3 tbsp poppyseeds (split for dressing and candied pecans)

Method
 

  1. Chill feta cheese in the refrigerator for 15 minutes
  2. Wash and dry baby spinach
  3. Slice strawberries and red onion uniformly
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar, olive oil, honey, and 2 tbsp poppyseeds to create the dressing; let rest
  5. Heat a pan over medium-high heat. Melt butter, then gradually add brown sugar, stirring until caramel forms
  6. When caramel is ready, add 1 cup pecans and stir rapidly to coat for 2 minutes
  7. Spread pecans on parchment paper to cool and crisp
  8. Combine spinach, sliced strawberries, and red onion in a large bowl
  9. Gently fold in avocado slices to avoid bruising
  10. Sprinkle 1 tbsp poppyseeds onto the candied pecans during cooling for an uneven texture (optional)
  11. Top the greens with crumbled feta and candied pecans
  12. Drizzle the poppyseed dressing over the salad
  13. Toss gently just before serving

Notes

For best results, use Haas avocados for firm texture
Candied pecans can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days
Avocados will brown slightly when stored with the dressing; serve fresh for optimal appearance
Replace feta with a vegan cheese alternative to make fully vegan
Poppyseeds can be substituted with sesame seeds or omitted for a nut-free option