Strawberry Poppy Seed Summer Salad

A fresh, fruity summer salad with crisp lettuce, juicy strawberries, tangy feta and cheddar, crunchy sugared almonds, and a creamy poppy seed dressing.

• Prep15 min
• Total15 min
• DifficultyEasy
• Servings8

This strawberry poppy seed salad is the perfect side dish for summer barbecues, picnics, or light lunches. The combination of sweet strawberries, salty cheeses, and crunchy almonds is simply irresistible.

The homemade or store-bought poppy seed dressing ties everything together beautifully, while croutons add an extra layer of crunch. Serve it immediately for the best texture and flavor.

Ingredients

Metric (g, ml, °C)US (cups, oz, °F)

Servings −

8

+

• 3 cups romaine lettuce, chopped or torn
• 3 cups iceberg lettuce, chopped or torn
• 2 cups fresh strawberries, rinsed, dried & sliced
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded, or your favorite
• ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
• ½ cup sugared almonds, store-bought or homemade
• kosher salt, to taste
• freshly ground black pepper
• croutons, store-bought or homemade
• poppy seed dressing, store-bought or homemade

Converted amounts are rounded.

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Method

1. In a large serving bowl, combine the romaine lettuce, iceberg lettuce, sliced strawberries, shredded cheddar, crumbled feta, and sugared almonds.
2. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
3. Drizzle the salad with the desired amount of poppy seed dressing and gently toss everything together until well coated.
4. Sprinkle the croutons over the top and serve immediately. For extra crunch, pass additional croutons at the table.

💡 Tips

• For the best texture, add the dressing and croutons just before serving.
• If making your own sugared almonds, toast them lightly in a pan with sugar until caramelized, then let cool completely.
• You can substitute the cheddar with another sharp cheese like gouda or provolone.

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Inspired by a recipe from The Cookie Rookie