Zippy Strawberry Poppy Seed Vinaigrette Recipe for Salads

Vibrant summer salads demand a dazzling dressing that sparks conversation, and this strawberry poppy seed vinaigrette recipe delivers pure culinary magic.

Fresh strawberries mingle with zesty ingredients to create a tangy, bright sauce that electrifies every green leaf.

The delicate balance of sweet and tart makes this vinaigrette shine on any plate.

Homemade dressings always taste more authentic and fresh compared to store-bought versions.

Whipping up this simple recipe takes mere minutes and requires just a few quality ingredients.

Each drizzle promises a burst of fruity goodness that turns an ordinary salad into something spectacular.

You’ll love how this vibrant vinaigrette transforms your summer meals with its irresistible charm.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 10 minutes

Calories: 138 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients You’ll Need for Strawberry Poppy Seed Vinaigrette

• Strawberries: Burst with vibrant sweetness and create the luscious core of the vinaigrette, selecting ripe, deep red berries for maximum flavor intensity.
• White Wine Vinegar: Provides tangy brightness and helps balance the strawberry's natural sweetness, choosing a high-quality clear vinegar for smooth consistency.

• Honey: Adds natural, golden sweetness and helps emulsify the dressing, picking raw or local honey for deeper flavor profiles.
• Olive Oil: Creates silky texture and carries flavor, selecting extra virgin for a rich, smooth finish.

• Poppy Seeds: Introduces delightful nutty crunch and visual intrigue, ensuring seeds are fresh and have a subtle, earthy undertone.
• Salt: Enhances and amplifies all flavors, using fine sea salt for precise seasoning control.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle warmth and complexity, freshly ground for maximum aromatic impact.

Tools to Make Poppy Seed Dressing at Home

• Food processor or blender: Essential for smoothly pureeing the strawberries and other ingredients into a silky dressing.
• Fine-mesh strainer: Optional tool for removing seeds and creating an extra-smooth vinaigrette.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements ensure the perfect balance of flavors.
• Spatula: Helps scrape down the sides of the processor and transfer the dressing.
• Small mixing bowl: Useful for combining poppy seeds into the pureed mixture.
• Airtight container: Great for storing the vinaigrette in the refrigerator.

How to Mix Strawberry Vinaigrette Quickly

• Blender Magic

Grab your trusty blender and toss in the juicy strawberries, tangy vinegar, and smooth olive oil. Pulse everything until it transforms into a vibrant, silky mixture that looks like a summer sunset.

• Texture Adventure

Want a super smooth vinaigrette? Grab a fine-mesh strainer and gently pour the mixture through, catching any tiny strawberry bits. This step is totally optional but creates a restaurant-worthy finish.

• Poppy Seed Finale

Sprinkle in those adorable poppy seeds, giving your vinaigrette a delightful crunch and visual pop. Stir gently, letting the seeds dance throughout the dressing. Your salad’s about to get a major flavor upgrade!

Flavor Twists for Your Homemade Dressing

• Roast strawberries briefly before blending to intensify their natural sweetness and create a more complex vinaigrette profile.
• Adjust honey or maple syrup quantity based on strawberry ripeness and personal taste preferences, creating a perfectly balanced dressing.
• Keep vinaigrette in an airtight glass container and refrigerate for up to 5 days, giving a quick shake before each use to remix separated ingredients.
• Skip straining for a rustic, chunky texture or strain completely for a silky-smooth restaurant-style vinaigrette that coats salads elegantly.

Serving Ideas for Strawberry Vinaigrette

• Summer Salad Soulmate: Drizzle this vibrant vinaigrette over a crisp mixed green salad with fresh strawberries, goat cheese crumbles, and toasted almonds for a light and refreshing meal.
• Grilled Companion: Brush the vinaigrette on grilled chicken, salmon, or shrimp during the last few minutes of cooking to add a tangy, fruity glaze that elevates your protein.
• Dipping Delight: Use as a zesty dip for fresh vegetable crudités, crusty bread chunks, or as a unique salad dressing alternative that brings brightness to your appetizer spread.
• Sandwich Spark: Spread a thin layer on sandwiches or wraps to replace traditional mayo, adding a sweet and tangy flavor profile that transforms ordinary lunch fare into something special.

Best Way to Store Strawberry Dressing

• Fridge Fresh Strategy: Store your vinaigrette in an airtight glass container, which keeps flavors vibrant and prevents absorption of other refrigerator odors.
• Quick Shelf Life: Homemade vinaigrette stays delicious for 5-7 days when refrigerated, ensuring maximum taste and food safety for multiple salad uses.
• Temperature Wisdom: Always chill the dressing before serving to enhance its smooth texture and allow flavors to meld together beautifully.
• Separation Solution: Natural ingredient settling is normal – simply give the container a gentle shake before each use to re-blend the strawberry and poppy seed goodness.

Sweet Strawberry Poppy Seed Vinaigrette

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4.7 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Refreshing strawberry poppy seed vinaigrette delivers a zesty dance of summer flavors across salad greens. Sweet and tangy dressing connects garden-fresh ingredients with Mediterranean-inspired charm.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• ½ cup (118 ml) strawberries, coarsely chopped
• ¼ cup (60 ml) white balsamic vinegar
• ¼ cup (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) honey
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) poppy seeds
• 2 tsp (10 ml) Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp (5 ml) tamari or soy sauce
• 1 tsp (5 ml) sriracha (optional)
• 1 large clove garlic, minced
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Blending Foundation: Pulverize ripe strawberries and vinegar in a high-powered blender until smooth, creating a vibrant crimson base with intense fruit essence.
2. Emulsification Process: Stream olive oil into the strawberry mixture while blending, generating a luxurious, glossy consistency that marries flavors harmoniously.
3. Flavor Balancing: Introduce honey or maple syrup, complementing the vinegar’s sharp undertones with delicate sweetness, then season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to elevate the taste profile.
4. Texture Refinement: Continue blending until the mixture achieves a velvety, uniform texture, ensuring no visible fruit fragments remain and all ingredients are thoroughly integrated.
5. Finishing Touches: Manually incorporate poppy seeds, gently folding them through the vinaigrette to distribute evenly, then optionally strain through a fine-mesh sieve for an ultra-smooth presentation.
6. Storage and Serving: Transfer the vinaigrette to a sealed glass container, allowing flavors to meld for 30 minutes before refrigerating, with recommended consumption within one week for maximum gustatory pleasure.

Notes

• Boost Strawberry Flavor: Select ultra-ripe, deep red strawberries at peak season for maximum sweetness and vibrant color.
• Emulsify Perfectly: Blend ingredients on high speed to create a smooth, creamy texture without separation.
• Control Consistency: Adjust olive oil quantity to achieve desired thickness – less oil means thinner dressing, more oil creates richer texture.
• Preserve Freshness: Store in an airtight glass container and consume within a week to maintain optimal taste and prevent bacterial growth.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 138
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 63 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 7 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg