Strawberry Poppyseed Salad

This is a copycat recipe for Panera Bread's spring special strawberry poppy seed salad. This is a delicious salad and a vegan one too! This salad is also easy to prepare and is a crowd pleaser. Vegan proteins can also be added.

This post has affiliate links and I used the samples I received for recipe development. The views expressed are my own only!

In this recipe I have used Dixie Crystals pure cane sugar and Millican Pecan. Dixie crystals sugar is of high quality and sweetens the amazing poppy seed dressing. Millican pecans are one of the best! I love using them in recipes as well as snacking. If you'd like to buy Millican pecans with a discount, click here. I may receive a small commission at no cost to you when you order through this discount link. 

Salads are my favorite and love to include them most often in my meal plan.  This strawberry salad is no exception! It is to die for! This yummy salad is quick and easy to make. The prep time is also less and can make a great side or meal easily in under 30 minutes! That's a deal! Plus, this is filled with fruits and lettuce and nuts, making it a very healthy and nutritious one too! This salad has a wonderful combination of lettuce and fruits. The addition of fruits give a natural sweet flavor satisfying your cravings, and would love to add them like in this Moong Sprouts Salad or this Pear Persimmon and Pomegranate Salad with Maple Ginger Dressing.

The things required for this salad are:

Lettuce - I have used Romaine lettuce, I prefer using this just like in Panera Bread. Iceberg lettuce can also be used. 

Mandarin oranges - I have used fresh slices of Mandarin oranges. In fact, I have tried this Navel orange slices too, I kind of like it too

Pineapple - I recommend fresh pineapple slices or chunks

Fresh strawberries and blueberries

Pecans - I have used Millican pecans. Toasted pecans work great in this recipe. Swap with walnuts.

And the amazing poppy seed dressing

This poppy seed dressing is so easy to make and adds a sweet and tangy flavor to the salad. The flavor of this dressing is outstanding and is versatile to use in many salad recipes. I have added a little orange juice to reduce sugar and for the fresh and bold citrus flavor, just like the Orange Balsamic Vinaigrette in the Greens and Orange Salad, yet another favorite of ours! The dressing stays good for a couple of days if stored in the refrigerator.

Use the dressing as needed. Drizzle or pour - the way you like it! The dressing may settle and separate as layers on storage, just whisk or mix it again and use. With this dressing ready on hand, packing a healthy lunch is easier. If wanted, add proteins of your choice. Sometimes, I add sautéed tofu or fresh paneer cubes. This is one of our favorites.

Salads are very healthy and help in balancing weight, detox the body, and provide tons of nutrients from fresh veggies and salad. If you are a salad lover like me, then you are in the right place. I make salads that have grains, some have proteins and veggies, some veggies and fruits alone, some a mixture of all. This blog has lots of salad recipes and here are a few to check out.

Pasta Salad with Peanut Sauce

Rainbow Salad with Tandoori Dressing

Beetroot Salata

Caprese Salad

Carrot Slaw

Zucchini Slaw

Dal Sprouts Salad

Kochumber

Cucumber and Peanut Salad

Jowar/Sorghum Salad

Making your favorite restaurant food is fun! It is possible to make them at home too, and now with the cost of restaurant food, it makes more sense to recreate them at home for a fraction of cost. Well, you need to go out and enjoy it too! But the frequency may matter with the prices. Recreating at home would satisfy the cravings and this can be made as a family time, spending the weekend night  cooking together. It works and is fun too! Christie in our #ourfamilytable is hosting this week's event with copycat recipes as the theme. What's more perfect to share than one of our favorite salad, Strawberry Poppyseed Salad, from Panera Bread?We share Recipes From Our Dinner Table! Join our group and share your recipes, too! While you're at it, join our Pinterest board, too!

I love sandwiches, soup, and salads from Panera Bread and would love to recreate them at home. Well, from other places too. Try the Panera Style Broccoli Cheddar Soup and the Vegan No Knead Tomato Basil Bread, a vegan, no knead version of Panera Bread's loaf!

Ingredients

Serves 2 to 4

Romaine lettuce - 4 to 5 cups

Strawberries - 1/2 cup, quartered

Pineapple - 1/2 cup, chopped

Blueberries - 1/2 cup

Pecans - 1/3 cup, toasted

Mandarin orange - 1/2 cup

For the poppy seed dressing

Oil - 1/3 cup

Orange juice - 2 tbsp

Sugar - 1/4 cup

Vinegar - 1/4 cup

Salt - 1 tsp

Black pepper powder- 1/2 tsp

Poppy seeds - 1 tbsp

Mustard powder - 1 tsp

Onion flakes - 1/2 tsp

Method

Add the sugar and vinegar to a bowl and whisk to dissolve sugar. It may not dissolve completely, add the juice, and the rest of the ingredients except oil and whish. Slowly add the oil and whisk to a smooth consistency.

Add the lettuce, nuts, and fruits to a bowl.

Drizzle the dressing as required.

Serve immediately.

Copycat Recipes

• Chalupa Burger from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
• Copycat Crumble Sugar Cookie Recipe from Kathryn's Kitchen Blog
• Copycat Panda Express Chow Mein from Palatable Pastime
• Copycat Wingers Sticky Chicken Fingers from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
• Homemade Blizzards from Art of Natural Living
• Lighter Chicken Bellagio (The Cheesecake Factory Copycat) from The Spiffy Cookie
• Longhorn Steakhouse Creamy Parmesan Chicken from Cheese Curd In Paradise
• Olive Garden Salad Dressing from Family Around the Table
• Passion Tea Lemonade from That Recipe
• PF Chang Chicken Lettuce Wraps from Jen Around the World
• Strawberry Poppyseed Salad from Magical Ingredients