• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Flavour and Savour
  • About Me
  • Use of Recipes and Images
  • Appetizers
  • Baking
  • Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
  • Gluten-Free Desserts
  • Main Dishes
  • Healthy Salad Recipes
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About Me
  • Use of Recipes and Images
  • Appetizers
  • Baking
  • Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
  • Gluten-Free Desserts
  • Main Dishes
  • Healthy Salad Recipes
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Healthy Salad Recipes » Strawberry Kale Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

    Strawberry Kale Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

    Published: Apr 21, 2023 by Elaine · This post may contain Amazon affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This blog generates income via ads · 7 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Strawberry Kale Salad Pinterest Image with text overlay
    Image with text for Strawberry Kale Salad with Poppyseed Dressing.
    Strawberry Kale Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing with text overlay

    This Strawberry Kale Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing is bursting with vibrant colours and bold flavours! Featuring juicy strawberries, creamy avocado, tangy feta, and crunchy toasted sunflower seeds, this summer salad is topped off with a sweet poppy seed dressing.

    Overhead view of Strawberry Kale Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing on a marble slab.

    "My husband can't stop talking about this salad and he normally says he hates kale lol! Thanks."

    — Deliar

    What better way to celebrate spring and summer than with a bright and colourful, healthy salad like this Strawberry Kale Salad? Whether you're looking for a light lunch, a satisfying side dish, or a stunning centerpiece for your next dinner party, this salad is a perfect choice.

    Kale--that green goddess that all the foodie experts swore was just a trend! We all know just how good it is for us and we humble salad lovers know that kale is not a flash-in-the-pan. It's here to stay.

    Take, for example, this baby Kale and Cara Cara Orange Salad and this hearty Tuscan Salad with Creamy Gorgonzola Dressing. Both of these pack a punch of flavour and nutrition!

    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why this recipe works
    • 🛒 Ingredients for Strawberry Kale Salad
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 🔁 Possible Variations or Substitutions
    • 👍🏼 Helpful Tips
    • ❓Frequently Asked Questions
    • What to serve with strawberry kale salad
    • More healthy salad recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    ❤️ Why this recipe works

    Tender little leaves of baby kale and sweet strawberries are tossed together with a cheerful poppyseed dressing in this simple salad. Perfect for warm weather parties!

    Add a little salty feta cheese for contrast, crunchy red onion, toasted sunflower seeds for protein and you'll have the makings of a beautifully balanced dinner side dish or lunchtime salad.

    And don't forget the avocado! Strawberries and avocado are a classic combo!

    Ingredients for Strawberry Kale Salad in sections in a round white dish

    🛒 Ingredients for Strawberry Kale Salad

    Ready to make this sweet, healthy kale salad? Here's what you'll need. You'll find amounts in the recipe card below.

    kale: baby kale is delicious in this salad. It's tender and has a milder flavour than more mature kale. You can substitute other mixed greens if you'd like.

    strawberries: fresh, fully ripe berries have the most flavour.

    red onion: adds a tangy bite and gives a nice contrast to the sweet berries. If you find it is too strong for your taste, soak the slices in cold water for 15 - 20 minutes, then drain.

    feta cheese: for that salty contrast to the sweet berries. Perfect!

    sunflower seeds: lightly toasted seeds add a delicious crunchy texture/

    avocado: a must! Creamy avocado makes a beautiful addition to this summer salad.

    Close up view of fresh strawberries.

    🔪 Instructions

    1. Start by whisking the poppy seed dressing ingredients together (or shake them in a small jar with a lid). Set aside to allow the flavours to blend while you prepare the salad ingredients.
    2. Toast sunflower seeds in a small skillet over medium heat. Shake the pan at one-minute intervals. When they begin to brown, remove them from the heat. They'll continue to brown a little from the heat of the pan. If you'd like, you can brown them in a teaspoon of oil and sprinkle them with a pinch or two of sea salt. (Shortcut: buy toasted, salted sunflower seeds.)
    3. Wash and dry the kale or mixed greens, slice the strawberries, chop the onion, crumble the feta, and lastly, cube or slice the avocado.
    4. Arrange all the ingredients in a salad bowl or large shallow platter. Drizzle with dressing and toss, or allow your friends or family to add their own dressing.
    Close up view of Strawberry Kale Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

    🔁 Possible Variations or Substitutions

    Greens: Add other greens to your baby kale. Try romaine, spinach, arugula, or a spring mix.

    Cheese: Substitute goat cheese, blue cheese or shavings of Parmesan cheese for the feta.

    Nuts: Consider substituting toasted pumpkin seeds for the sunflower seeds, or add toasted sliced almonds or pecans.

    Protein: Make this a complete meal by adding grilled shrimp or cooked cubed chicken breasts. Or add crisply cooked bacon crumbles for extra flavour.

    👍🏼 Helpful Tips

    You can prepare most of the ingredients ahead of time, but add the avocado last, just before serving, to prevent it from turning brown.

    Make ahead for lunches! Pack this strawberry kale salad into containers for pre-made lunches. Store the dressing in a small container separately.

    ❓Frequently Asked Questions

    Do I have to massage kale?

    Massaging kale leaves helps to break down their cell structure and gives the leaves a softer texture that’s better suited to salads. It can make it easier to digest, too.

    The trick to using the curly green variety of kale in a salad is to tenderize it first. All you need to do is remove the tough center rib of the leaves, drizzle it with a teaspoon each of olive oil and lemon juice and a pinch of salt and work it into each leaf with your fingers.

    However, if you don't want to massage kale leaves, you can simply chop them very finely. You'll find that the leaves will soften naturally all on their own when they come into contact with a vinaigrette.

    I recommend using baby kale leaves whenever they're available!

    What to serve with strawberry kale salad

    This salad is delicious as a side for grilled chicken kabobs, like these Greek Lemon Chicken Kabobs or Easy Thai Chicken Skewers

    Or serve it with Honey-Dijon Glazed Salmon, or Air Fryer Lemon Garlic Shrimp.

    It's one of those salads that go well with a variety of main dishes and that everyone seems to love!

    Strawberry Kale Salad with feta, avocado, red onion and toasted sunflower seeds.

    Celebrate warm weather and all things green and clean! Enjoy.

    More healthy salad recipes

    • Two bowls of Asian Pear Chopped Salad with blue cheese and cranberries.
      Asian Pear Chopped Salad with Blue Cheese
    • Overhead view of ingredients for chopped chicken taco salad in sections in a shallow white serving bowl.
      Chopped Chicken Taco Salad with Zesty Lime Dressing
    • Asparagus Smoked Salmon Salad with Sesame Miso Vinaigrette
      Smoked Salmon Asparagus Salad with Sesame Miso Vinaigrette
    • a small pitcher of lemon tahini dressing
      Simple Lemon Tahini Dressing Recipe
    See more Healthy Salad Recipes →

    📖 Recipe

    overhead view of a round white dish of Strawberry Kale Salad

    Strawberry Kale Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

    This Strawberry Kale Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing is packed with delicious flavours. Strawberries, creamy avocado, tangy feta, toasted sunflower seeds and a sweet dressing will make this baby kale salad your new summer favourite!
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Salad
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 453kcal
    Author: Elaine
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 6 cups baby kale leaves, torn or chopped into bite-sized pieces
    • 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
    • 4 oz feta cheese, cubed or crumbled
    • ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced or diced
    • 1 large avocado, sliced or cubed
    • ¼ cup sunflower seeds toasted, or other nuts or seeds of your choice

    Dressing

    • ⅓ cup olive oil, or avocado oil
    • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
    • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, or white wine vinegar
    • 2 tablespoons honey
    • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
    • 1 pinch dry mustard
    • ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
    • ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

    Instructions

    • Combine the dressing ingredients in a small glass jar, shake to combine and set aside to allow flavours to blend.
    • Toast sunflower seeds in a small skillet until they begin to brown. Remove from heat and let cool. They will continue to brown a little in the residual heat from the pan.
    • Put torn baby kale leaves in a bowl. If they may be tough, drizzle with a teaspoon of olive oil, a teaspoon of lemon juice and a pinch of salt. Massage the oil gently into the leaves to tenderize them.
    • Chop the onion, slice the strawberries, crumble the feta cheese.
    • Arrange the greens in a bowl, top with onion, strawberries, cheese and sunflower seeds. Add cubed or sliced avocado just before serving to prevent it from browning.
    • Drizzle with dressing, toss and serve.

    Notes

    You can prepare most of the ingredients for this salad ahead of time, but add the avocado last, just before serving, to prevent it from turning brown.
    Make ahead for lunches! Pack this strawberry kale salad into containers for pre-made lunches. Store the dressing in a small container separately.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 453kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 408mg | Potassium: 611mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 3340IU | Vitamin C: 89mg | Calcium: 243mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @enessman or tag #flavourandsavour!

    This recipe was originally published in 2015. It has been updated with new information and photos.

    More recipes to try soon

    • Dill Caprese Salad on a platter with fresh sprigs of dill weed.
      Caprese Salad Recipe with Homemade Dill Dressing
    • a bowl of quinoa black bean salad with peaches and pumpkin seeds
      Quinoa Black Bean Salad with Peaches
    • Greek Watermelon Basil Salad in an oval bowl with a gold spoon
      Greek Watermelon Basil Salad
    • Pesto caprese salad with cherry tomatoes and balsamic glaze.
      Easy Pesto Caprese Salad with Cherry Tomatoes

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Delia

      June 29, 2021 at 8:42 pm

      5 stars
      My husband can't stop talking about this salad and he normally says he hates kale lol! Thanks.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        June 29, 2021 at 8:51 pm

        That's so funny! Happy to hear he's a convert!

        Reply
    2. Miranda

      April 29, 2021 at 9:24 am

      5 stars
      This poppy .seed dressing is so good with the strawberries. I love this salad. Thanks

      Reply
    3. Erika

      April 29, 2021 at 9:23 am

      5 stars
      I want to let you know that I make this regularly! It's a favorite with my family. I use the baby kale that comes in the clamshell plastic package.

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        April 29, 2021 at 11:45 am

        Thanks Erika!

        Reply
    4. Katerina | Once a Foodie

      July 04, 2020 at 4:21 am

      5 stars
      This salad looks absolutely amazing! I love using fruit in salads and these strawberries look so perfectly juicy. I love the sound of the poppy seed dressing too - yum! Thanks so much for sharing.

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        July 04, 2020 at 4:24 pm

        You're welcome! Thanks for stopping by.

        Reply

    Leave a comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Find the perfect recipe

    Elaine from Flavour and Savour

    Welcome! I'm Elaine

    Gluten-free Made Easy!

    I create delicious gluten-free recipes that everyone can make. Gluten-free eating doesn’t have to be complicated! I’ll help you make healthy meals that you’ll want to share with family and friends. About Me!

    Popular Posts

    • Two mugs of affogato coffee.
      How to Make an Affogato Coffee Dessert
    • baked lemon chicken thighs on a platter with lemon wedges
      Easy Baked Lemon Chicken
    • seafood pot pie with a puff pastry lid in a small blue casserole dish
      Seafood Pot Pie with Puff Pastry
    • 8 zucchini patties on a plate with herbs
      Crispy Baked Zucchini Patties with Lemon Tahini Dip

    Hello Fall!

    • Overhead view of a bowl of apple pecan crisp with ice cream and caramel sauce.
    • Square image of pumpkin pecan caramel coffee cake.
    • A small black plate with four gluten-free pumpkin pecan chocolate chip cookies.
    Brands that feature Flavour and Savour.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    About Me

    Privacy Policy

    Accessibility Statement

    Newsletter

    SIGN UP HERE

    for weekly recipes and tips!

    Contact

    Contact me

    Use of Recipes and Images

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Copyright © 2015 - 2023