Homemade Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing for Spinach Salad
This homemade creamy poppy seed dressing is the perfect topping for fresh salads! With only four simple ingredients, you can whisk it together in minutes for a delicious, sweet, and tangy flavor that pairs beautifully with spinach, strawberries, and crunchy almonds. A guaranteed family favorite, it’s a must-serve for guests, too!
My husband and I recently took a 5,900-kilometer road trip to visit family. Along with great conversations, we enjoyed trying new recipes, and I came home with a handful of new favorites! This homemade salad dressing was one of the best discoveries. It’s become a favorite – and I especially love to have it on hand when guests come!
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- Quick & Easy – Whisks together in just minutes with four pantry staples.
- Creamy & Delicious – The perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors.
- Make-Ahead Friendly – Store in a mason jar and shake before serving.
- Pairs with Any Salad – Especially delicious with spinach, strawberries, and almonds!
Ingredients for Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing
(Refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for exact measurements.)
- Mayonnaise- Use whatever kind is your favorite. Real mayonnaise or Miracle Whip both work well.
- White sugar – for a touch of sweetness
- Poppy seeds
- White vinegar- for just the right amount of tang
Instructions for this easy Poppy Seed Salad Dressing
(Refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post for detailed instructions.)
1.Measure all the ingredients in a medium sized bowl. 2. Whisk everything until combined.
Tips & Tricks
- If making a large bowl of salad for guests or family, don’t put the poppyseed dressing on it until right before serving.
- Avoid putting too much dressing on a salad to prevent it from turning soggy and watery.
- Store leftover poppyseed salad dressing in a covered container in the fridge. A mason jar with a lid works perfect.
- Shake or stir the dressing before each use.
How to Make a Strawberry Spinach Salad
This sweet and creamy poppyseed dressing is a great compliment to any salad, but my favorite is a strawberry spinach salad.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups fresh spinach, washed and dried
- 1 cup sliced strawberries
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onions
- 1/4 cup slivered almonds
- Creamy poppy seed dressing (recipe above)
Instructions:
- Place the spinach in a large salad bowl. Remove long stems if necessary.
- Add the sliced strawberries, red onions, and slivered almonds. Toss lightly.
- Just before serving, drizzle with the homemade poppy seed dressing and gently toss to coat.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tip: Soak sliced red onions in a bowl of cold water for a few minutes before adding to the salad. This removes the harsh bite and makes them milder in flavor.
Equipment
This easy salad dressing recipe doesn’t require a lot of fancy equipment. But, I’ve listed below some options for yummy salad making and serving.
(Don’t forget to check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite kitchen tools!)
More Salad Recipes:
- Cold Pasta Salad with Ketchup Dressing
- Classic Potato Salad Recipe with Egg
- Grilled Chicken Salad with Red Chili Peanut Sauce
- Spicy Lime Chicken Salad
- Black Bean Salad
- Classic Greek Salad
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Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe
This sweet & creamy poppy seed dressing can be whisked together in minutes with only 4 ingredients! Drizzle it over your favorite salad as the perfect topping, or pair it with strawberry and spinach salad for guests!
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2 Tablespoons poppy seeds
- 2 Tablespoons white vinegar
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients into a bowl
- Whisk together all the ingredients until smooth and the poppy seeds are evenly distributed throughout.
- Drizzle over your favorite salad.
- Store leftover dressing in a covered container (like a mason jar) in the fridge.
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