This homemade Poppy Seed Salad Dressing recipe features a tangy apple cider vinegar which gives a delicious tartness to counterbalance the sweetness. It’s especially tasty served with a spinach salad that includes seasonal fruit and candied nuts.

Easy Poppy Seed Salad Dressing Recipe

There’s a restaurant here in my city that has a dinner spinach salad that is my absolute favorite. Wanting to recreate that dining experience at home I began experimenting with flavor combinations and this homestyle poppy seed dressing is the result. It’s so nice to be able to pronounce each ingredient and know exactly what’s going into the dressing. It also gives you the distinct advantage of controlling the amount of sweetness or sodium. How to make Poppy Seed Salad Dressing: (Scroll down for full printable recipe.)

Seasonings – Combine apple cider vinegar, shallot, granulated sugar, dry mustard and coarse sea salt in a blender. Reserve the poppy seeds and oil.
Process – Puree for 20-30 seconds until the ingredients are smooth.
Poppy Seed – Remove the lid lower the speed of the blender and add the poppy seeds.
Oil – Drizzle in the Canola oil slowly while the blender processes the dressing. Continue until the mixture emulsifies and thickens.
Chill until serving.

Poppy Seed Salad Dressing in a white dispenser

How to Make the Best Poppy Seed Salad Dressing Recipe

Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Poppy Seed Salad Dressing: Poppy seeds, canola oil, apple cider vinegar, shallot, granulated sugar, dry mustard and coarse sea salt.
Kitchen tools you’ll need: A stand blender or food processor, measuring cups and spoons, sharp knife and cutting board, and salad dressing bottle or container with a pouring spout to serve.
Poppy seeds can be found with the other seasonings on the spice aisle of any local grocery store including places like Target and Walmart.
I don’t recommend using olive oil for this dressing it will over power the flavor. A simple canola or vegetable oil will work best.
In the salad I serve with this dressing, I tossed together organic baby spinach, sweet clementine’s, crunchy red onion slices and grape tomatoes. I topped it off with a sprinkle of blue cheese and candied nuts. Drizzle some of this homemade dressing on top, and it’s heavenly.
For a time saver, check the mixed nut section of your local grocery store for candied nuts. They have several varieties to choose from and they usually include candied almonds, walnuts and pecans. Any of these are terrific sprinkled on a salad, just go with your preference.
You could also simply toast pecans, almonds or walnuts for your salad. To do so, spread the desired amount on a sheet pan and place into a preheated 350°F oven. Toast for 6-8 minutes or just until fragrant then cool before adding to your favorite salad fixings.
This dressing can be used on any of your favorite salad recipes it’s not just exclusive to spinach salad.
Store prepared Poppy Seed Salad Dressing in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to one week.

More Easy Salad Dressing Recipes to Make

Garlic Herb Buttermilk Dressing is a homemade Ranch style dressing you can also use as a dip.
Homemade copycat Chick-fil-A Avocado Lime Ranch Dressing.
Green Goddess Dressing is filled with bright fresh flavors.
Make your own Caesar Salad Dressing at home and you’ll be hooked!
Jalapeno Ranch Dressing can be drizzled over tacos, salads or served as a dip.
You may also like to try Honey Mustard Poppyseed Dressing from Barefeet in the Kitchen.

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