Blueberry Spinach Salad with Orange Poppy Seed Dressing (2024)

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by Stacey Updated: Jul 9, 2023

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Some days nothing beats a fresh spinach salad loaded with blueberries, green apples, almonds & feta. It just lightens things up! And topped with an easy homemade orange poppy seed dressing, this delightfully bright & refreshing salad is hard to beat for an easy lunch or dinner! Eat it as a side dish with your favorite soup or pork loin, or see my Tips & Notes below for yummy add-ins that make it a whole meal!

Blueberry Spinach Salad with Orange Poppy Seed Dressing (2)
Blueberry Spinach Salad with Orange Poppy Seed Dressing (3)

What You Need To Make Blueberry Spinach Salad & Orange Poppy Seed Dressing

  • baby spinach
  • blueberries
  • green apple
  • slivered almonds
  • feta cheese crumbles
  • chicken, bacon & avocado (optional add-ins)
  • orange juice
  • lemon juice
  • real mayonnaise
  • white wine vinegar
  • poppy seeds
  • ginger, garlic, salt & white pepper
Blueberry Spinach Salad with Orange Poppy Seed Dressing (4)

Salad. There’s nothing boring or skimpy about it. If it’s done right, that is. And you know, I’m not going to steer you wrong. This spinach salad is just bursting with flavor and goodness that’s guaranteed to make your day sing! Berries, apples, cheese, nuts… the clouds just might part, birds might chirp before you even take the first bite!

Blueberry Spinach Salad with Orange Poppy Seed Dressing (5)

And talk about easy. There’s not a whole lot of chopping or prepping that goes with this one. A little washing, taking the stems off the spinach (if you want to- my mom says that’s always a yes), slice an apple and you’re good to go!

The dressing is just as simple. Drop a little mayo, oj, vinegar, lemon juice, poppy seeds and spices in a jar. Shake it up and pour. Or you can whisk it. Or pulse it in a blender. But why not keep this goodness low maintenance?

Blueberry Spinach Salad with Orange Poppy Seed Dressing (6)

Just thinking about this bright little dressing makes my mouth water! A citrus kiss for all those iron rich greens and vitamin A loaded berries and apples. And what about those almonds & feta?The almonds add a nice, nutty crunch, while the feta is creamy smooth with just a hint of salty!

Isn’t it wonderful when good dishes come together this easily? It leaves plenty time for enjoying your meal and all those you plan to share it with!

Tips & Notes

  • Our favorite add-ins are chicken, bacon & avocado. They make this spinach salad a real meal! See the Recipe Card Notes.
  • The Orange Poppy Seed dressing thickens just a little when chilled in the refrigerator. So it’s best when made the day before.We also like to use this homemade Orange Poppy Seed Dressing on fruit salad!
  • This recipe feeds 4 if served as an entree salad and 6-8 as a side salad.
  • If you’re prepping ahead of time, add nuts, cheese & dressing right before serving.
  • Perfect for potlucks and cookouts!

Other Recipes You’ll Love

  • Catalina Taco Salad
  • Tuscan Tortellini Salad
  • Layered Muffuletta Salad
  • Tasty Lemon Chicken Salad

Blueberry Spinach Salad with Orange Poppy Seed Dressing (7)

Blueberry Spinach Salad & Homemade Orange Poppy Seed Dressing

A fresh spinach salad recipe loaded with blueberries, green apples, almonds, feta & topped with an easy homemade orange poppy seed dressing.

Print Pin Rate

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Keyword: entree salad, fruit, salad dressing

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Author: Stacey | SouthernDiscourse.com

Ingredients

  • 5 oz baby spinach salad, washed and stems removed
  • ½ pint blueberries, washed
  • 1 medium green apple, thinly sliced or diced
  • ¼ C feta cheese crumbles
  • 2.25 oz slivered almonds

Orange Poppy Seed Dressing

  • C mayonnaise
  • ¼ C orange juice
  • 2 teaspoon white wine vinegar
  • 2 teaspoon poppy seeds
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • ¼ tsp ground ginger
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp ground white pepper
  • teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

Salad

  • In a large bowl, mix spinach, blueberries, apples. Top with feta and almonds.

Orange Poppy Seed Dressing

  • In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine all ingredients and whisk well. Serve with salad.

Notes

To create an entree salad, add 1 chopped grilled or rotisserie chicken breast and/or 1 C chopped bacon.

Additional add-ins include 1 diced avocado.

Blueberry Spinach Salad with Orange Poppy Seed Dressing (8)

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Blueberry Spinach Salad with Orange Poppy Seed Dressing (9)
Blueberry Spinach Salad with Orange Poppy Seed Dressing (10)
Blueberry Spinach Salad with Orange Poppy Seed Dressing (11)
Blueberry Spinach Salad with Orange Poppy Seed Dressing (12)
Blueberry Spinach Salad with Orange Poppy Seed Dressing (13)
Blueberry Spinach Salad with Orange Poppy Seed Dressing (14)
Blueberry Spinach Salad with Orange Poppy Seed Dressing (15)
Blueberry Spinach Salad with Orange Poppy Seed Dressing (16)

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Blueberry Spinach Salad with Orange Poppy Seed Dressing (17)

Meet Stacey

Southern Discourse is a place where you can find southern family dishes, along with special recipes & table settings. Bringing connection & friendship back to the table by wrapping everything in the faith & grace from which true hospitality springs! Read More

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Blueberry Spinach Salad with Orange Poppy Seed Dressing (2024)

FAQs

What is poppy seed salad dressing made of? ›

Poppy seed dressing is a simple vinaigrette with vinegar, oil, poppy seed, and other ingredients such as sugar and herbs to help round out the dressing. This vinaigrette can be used on any salad that you make and has a nice balance of sweetness and tang with honey and vinegar.

What are the benefits of poppyseed dressing? ›

Aside from its delicious taste, poppy seed dressing also offers some health benefits. The poppy seeds in the dressing are a good source of essential nutrients, including calcium, iron, and fiber. Additionally, the oil in the dressing provides healthy fats that are beneficial for heart health.

Does poppy seed dressing need to be refrigerated? ›

Recipe tips and variations

Yield: This poppy seed dressing recipe makes about 1 cup of dressing, enough for 8 servings, 2 tablespoons each. Storage: Store the dressing covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Is poppy seed dressing safe? ›

Expired poppy seed dressing can pose health risks due to the growth of harmful bacteria or mold, especially if it has been stored improperly. Even if the dressing is just past its expiration date, the risk of foodborne illnesses increases, as preservatives lose their effectiveness over time.

How long does poppy seed dressing stay in your system? ›

The timing of consumption

A drug test may detect poppy seeds in the urine within just 30 minutes of eating the seeds and for up to 48 hours after consumption. If a person consumes large doses of poppy seeds, traces of opiates may remain in their system for up to 60 hours.

Are poppy seeds healthy? ›

Poppy seeds are good sources of protein and dietary fiber, as well as some essential vitamins and minerals, including calcium and magnesium. Poppy seeds are small, black, and kidney shaped. They have been part of traditional Mediterranean and Middle Eastern diets for thousands of years.

What are the benefits of poppy seeds for female? ›

Poppy Seeds: Health Benefits
  • Khus Khus in Pregnancy. Khus Khus benefits women's health at the time of their pregnancy. ...
  • Boosts Female Fertility. ...
  • Boosts Immunity and Health. ...
  • Enhances Brain Functions. ...
  • Treats Insomnia and Sleeping Disorders. ...
  • Enhances Bone Health. ...
  • Improves Skin and Hair Health. ...
  • Promotes Digestion.
May 25, 2024

Are poppy seeds good for the liver? ›

– We have shown that relatively small dietary supplementation with defatted poppy seeds (for humans, this is about 5.5 tablespoons of these seeds per day) improves lipid metabolism in the body by reducing triglycerides in the blood and liver, and preventing increased visceral fat accumulation.

Is poppy good for stomach? ›

Other benefits of poppy seeds

As Khus Khus is known to be rich in special nutrients like fibre, which works to get rid of stomach-related problems like constipation, gas. Apart from this, fibre can also act as a prevention against colon cancer. Consuming it daily helps in maintaining better stomach health.

Is poppyseed dressing acidic? ›

A classic poppy seed dressing balances acidic tang from vinegar and dry mustard, sweetness from sugar, and a nutty crunchiness from poppy seeds.

What is a good substitute for poppy seeds in salad dressing? ›

  • 1 – Chia Seeds. Chia seeds are a killer swap for poppy seeds. ...
  • 2 – Sesame Seeds. Sesame seeds? ...
  • 3 – Sunflower Seeds. Sunflower seeds bring their A-game as a replacement for poppy seeds. ...
  • 4 – Flaxseeds. Flaxseeds are totally up there with poppy seeds. ...
  • 5 – Hemp Seeds. ...
  • 6 – Pumpkin Seeds. ...
  • 7 – Nigella Seeds.
Jun 6, 2024

How do you sleep with poppy seeds? ›

Soak the poppy seeds in warm water for 15 minutes. Now drain the seeds and add them to a pan along with milk. Keep on medium flame and let it simmer for 5-6 minutes. Once it comes to a boil, switch off the flame and pour it into a glass.

What are the disadvantages of poppy seeds? ›

Poppy seed is possibly safe when used in larger amounts as medicine, short-term. But eating very large amounts of poppy seed is possibly unsafe as it might block the bowels. Some people might also be allergic to poppy seed. Drinking poppy seed tea is possibly unsafe.

What is the disadvantage of seed dressing? ›

Seed treatment may not provide protection for long enough to provide complete protection to the establishing crop. Pesticide breakdown is most rapid under warm, moist conditions. Limited shelf life of treated seed. Surplus treated seed cannot be sold for grain.

Do poppy seeds make you sleepy? ›

Poppy seeds come from a species of poppy plant called Papaver somniferum. “Somniferum” is Latin for “sleep-bringing,” which hints that it might contain opiates – powerful compounds that depress the central nervous system and can induce drowsiness and sleep.

What is poppy seed made by? ›

Poppy seed is the seed from the poppy plant (Papaver somniferum). It's used in cooking. The seed pod contains opium, a source of opiates such as morphine. Poppy seeds don't contain opiates naturally, but the seeds can become coated with opiates during harvesting or by insects.

What is poppy seed filling made of? ›

Ingredients: Corn syrup, poppyseeds, sugar, water, modified corn starch, salt, vanilla extract, spices, and citric acid.

What is dressing for Thanksgiving made of? ›

Dressing: Dressing typically includes ingredients like cornbread, white bread, or biscuits, mixed with vegetables, herbs, spices, and sometimes sausage or other meats. It is often moistened with broth or stock and baked in a casserole dish until it forms a crust on top.

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