Berry Spinach Salad with Citrus Poppy Seed Dressingis bursting with flavor and made with blueberries, feta cheese, almonds, and bacon! This colorful salad recipe with homemade dressing makes an awesome lunch!

spinach and berry salad on a round white plate.

Berry Spinach Salad with Citrus Poppy Seed Dressing is a keeper, friends. I call this salad “girl food,” which means it’s just the perfect dish to make when you are having your best friend over for a playdate.

And let’s talk a second about how quick but delicious the homemade dressing is! This citrus poppy seed dressing is awesome, and I’m sad it’s all gone. All you do is measure some things into a jar, add a lid, and give it a shake. It’s such an easy process and tastes so much better than anything you can buy.

spinach and berry salad on a round white plate with black forks to the side.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

A mix of juicy berries, crisp spinach, and tangy citrus dressing creates a delicious, refreshing taste.
Loaded with vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber for a healthy, guilt-free meal.
Simple ingredients and minimal prep time make it perfect for a fast, delicious

Recipe Ingredients

portion bowls each with digitally labeled raw ingredients to make berry spinach salad.

Baby Spinach—Fresh, green base.
Feta Cheese—Tangy and creamy.
Blueberries—Sweet bursts.
Strawberries—Vibrant and juicy.
Almond Slices—Crunchy texture.
Bacon—Smoky crispness.

For the Citrus Poppy seed Dressing:

Olive Oil—Smooth base.
Orange Zest—Citrusy kick.
Orange Juice—Natural sweetness.
Lemon Juice—Bright tang.
Honey—Sweet balance.
Dijon Mustard—Bold heat.
Poppy Seeds—Nutty crunch.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How To Make Berry Spinach Salad with Citrus Poppy Seed Dressing

portion bowls each with raw ingredients to make spinach berry salad

Spinach berry salad in a clear mixing bowl.

Step #1.Wash, dry and prepare the ingredients for berry spinach salad.

Step #2.Add all of your ingredients to a bowl and toss to combine.

spinach berry salad homemade dressing in a small glass dish.

clear mixing bowl in the process of making a spinach berry salad.

Step #3.Add everything to a mason jar, add the lid, shake to combine. Shake well before using.

Step #4.You can dress the salad right before serving (the recipe makes more than you will need) or you can let everyone dress their own, pouring the dressing right out of your mason jar. I like to let everyone add their own dressing.

Recipe FAQs

How Long Does the Citrus Poppy Seed Dressing Last?

This dressing should be stored in the fridge and will last up to two weeks if you don’t eat it all right away!

How Do I Mix the Dressing Back Together After Storing in the Fridge?

The oil in the dressing can separate out when it is stored. Simply shake the jar to recombine the dressing. Sometimes I have to let it sit on the counter while I make dinner because my oil gets thick in the fridge. This is totally normal!

Can I Store the Leftover Salad?

Of course! Leftover salad can be stored in the fridge, but if you already have everything mixed together, the spinach will lose its crispness quickly. It’s best if you store the ingredients separately, or follow my storing method with my Salad in a Jar recipe.

Expert Tips

Buy a bag ofslivered almondsthat has about a cup in it. Add that and 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar to a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium to medium-high heat.Keep an eye on it and stir it occasionally until the sugar in the very center of the pan starts to melt, then stir constantly. Stir until all of the sugar melts and it just starts to look like the almonds are toasting.
Cook the bacon until crispy and then let it drain on paper towels.Crumble it just before adding to the salad to keep it crunchy.
Mix the salad ingredients and dressing just before serving to keep the spinach from wilting and the ingredients fresh.
Layer the salad starting with the spinach, followed by the berries, feta, almonds, and bacon. Drizzle the dressing on top just before serving to ensure even distribution.