This vibrant mixed green salad with berries is a refreshing explosion of summer flavors! Imagine crisp mixed greens topped with juicy strawberries, plump blueberries, and sweet raspberries, all crowned with candied pecans and a dreamy homemade poppy seed dressing. It’s the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and crunchy – just like the beloved Café Zupas version, but made right in your own kitchen!
Why You’ll Love This Mixed Berry Salad
- Bursting with fresh, seasonal berries
- Perfectly balanced sweet-tangy poppy seed dressing
- Addictively crunchy candied pecans
- No cooking required (except optional nuts)
- Customizable with your favorite greens
- Restaurant quality but so simple to make
- Perfect for summer gatherings or light meals
- Makes any meal feel special
I’ve been making versions of this salad for years, and it never fails to impress! The key is using the freshest berries you can find – they’re the star of the show here. When berries aren’t in season, you can always substitute with my personal favorite warm blueberry cobbler for dessert instead!
What makes this salad truly special is the creamy poppy seed dressing. It’s the perfect blend of sweet and tangy, with just enough creaminess to coat each leaf without weighing it down. I love making a double batch and keeping it in the fridge – it transforms even the simplest green salad into something spectacular!
The candied pecans add that perfect sweet crunch that makes this salad completely irresistible. Trust me, you’ll want to make extra – they tend to disappear mysteriously while you’re assembling the salad! 😉
Essential Ingredients for Berry Bliss
Let me walk you through the star players that make this salad absolutely shine! Each ingredient brings something special to create that perfect balance of flavors and textures.
- Mixed Greens: I love using a blend of tender baby spinach, crisp romaine, and peppery arugula. The variety gives such wonderful texture! You could even toss in some butter lettuce for extra softness.
- Fresh Berries: The sweetness of strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries is what makes this salad magical. Pick berries that are plump and fragrant – they should almost smell like jam! Speaking of berries, you might want to check out my easy homemade peach jam for another fruity treat.
- Candied Pecans: These are my secret weapon! The sweet, crunchy nuts add the most incredible texture contrast. Make extra – they’re absolutely snackable!
- Feta Cheese: The salty, creamy bits balance all the sweet elements perfectly. You could swap in goat cheese if you prefer.
- Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing: This isn’t your average store-bought dressing! The combination of tangy yogurt, mayo, and sweet-tart elements creates pure magic.
Success Tips for the Perfect Salad
- Prep strategically: Wash and completely dry your greens – wet lettuce makes the dressing slide right off! I love using my salad spinner for this.
- Layer with purpose: Start with your greens as the base, then add berries and apple chunks. Save those gorgeous candied pecans and feta for last so they don’t get lost at the bottom.
- Dress it right: Don’t overdress! Start with less dressing than you think you need – you can always add more. Toss gently with clean hands to coat everything evenly without bruising the berries.
- Time it perfectly: While you can prep components ahead, assemble just before serving. This keeps everything crisp and prevents the berries from getting mushy.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making this gorgeous berry-studded salad is a breeze! Let me walk you through exactly how to create this showstopper, layer by delicious layer.
Make the Dreamy Poppy Seed Dressing
Let’s start with the dressing – it’s the secret that ties everything together! Simply add your yogurt, mayo, red onion, milk, sugar, and vinegar to a blender. Give it a good whirl until everything is silky smooth. Now here’s my favorite part – tasting and tweaking! I love playing with the flavors until they’re just right:
- Need more tang? Add a splash more vinegar
- Want it sweeter? Another sprinkle of sugar
- Craving more creaminess? A dollop of mayo and splash of milk
Once you’ve got your perfect blend, stir in those pretty little poppy seeds. The dressing can be made up to 2 weeks ahead – just store it in an airtight container in the fridge!
Assembly Time!
Here’s where the magic happens! Picture building the most beautiful salad, layer by layer:
- Start with a bed of crisp mixed greens in your prettiest serving bowl
- Scatter your fresh berries across the greens like jewels
- Sprinkle the chopped apple and red onion for color and crunch
- Crown it with those irresistible candied pecans
- Finish with a gentle shower of feta crumbles
Here’s my favorite pro tip: reserve a small handful of each topping to sprinkle on top right before serving. It makes the salad look absolutely stunning! Just like my creamy fruit salad, presentation makes all the difference.
Delicious Variations
This salad is wonderfully versatile! Here are some of my favorite ways to mix it up:
- Make it a Meal: Add grilled chicken, salmon, or shrimp
- Switch Up the Cheese: Try goat cheese or blue cheese crumbles
- Seasonal Swaps: Use mandarin oranges and cranberries in winter
- Nut Variations: Try candied walnuts or honey-roasted almonds
For storage, keep the components separate until ready to serve. The dressing will stay fresh for up to 2 weeks, while washed and dried berries will keep for 3-4 days. Just remember – dressed salad waits for no one, so toss it together right before serving!
FAQs & Final Thoughts
Frequently Asked Questions
You can prep the components separately up to 2 days ahead. Keep the washed greens, cut fruit, and dressing separate until serving time. For best results, toss everything together just before serving to maintain optimal freshness and crunch.
Don’t wash berries until ready to use. Store them in a single layer on paper towels in a container with the lid slightly open. This prevents moisture buildup and keeps them fresh longer. When ready to use, give them a quick rinse and pat completely dry.
Fresh berries work best for this salad. If you’re craving those fruity flavors in winter, try my orange dreamsicle salad instead! But if frozen is your only option, thaw them completely and pat dry before adding to prevent soggy greens.
Add grilled chicken, salmon, or shrimp for protein. You could also toss in quinoa or chickpeas for a vegetarian option. The poppy seed dressing pairs beautifully with any of these additions!
Final Thoughts
This mixed berry salad is truly one of my summer favorites! It’s the perfect balance of sweet and tangy, crisp and creamy. The homemade poppy seed dressing takes it from good to absolutely amazing – I promise you’ll never want store-bought again!
Next time you’re hosting friends or just want to make your weekday lunch special, give this salad a try. And don’t forget to make extra candied pecans – they’re completely irresistible! I’d love to hear how you customize it with your favorite mix-ins. Happy salad making, friends! 🍓
Mixed Green Salad with Berries
Equipment (affiliate links)
- Blender
Ingredients
- 10 cups mixed greens lettuce (red lettuce, romaine, spinach, or whatever you like)
- 1/2 cup fresh strawberries sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
- 1/2 cup fresh raspberries
- 1/4 cup red onion diced
- 1 sweet apple chopped
- 1 cup candied pecans
- 1/3 cup feta cheese crumbles
- 5.3 ounces container strawberry yogurt
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 small piece red onion
- 2 Tablespoons milk
- 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 3 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon poppy seeds
Instructions
- Add all of the dressing ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
- Taste. Add additional vinegar if you want it tangier, more sugar if you like it sweeter, or a dab more mayo and splash of milk if you want it creamier.
- Stir in poppy seeds. Store dressing in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- Make candied pecans
- Prepare, wash and dry berries, and chop the apple and onion. Add greens to a large mixing bowl. Add toppings (I like to set aside a spoonful of each topping to add at the end, for aesthetics.)
- Toss the mixture in desired amount of dressing. Serve immediately.
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