Citric Acid Free Cilantro-Lime Spinach & Strawberry Salad
Bright, fresh, and genuinely beautiful on the table, this spinach and strawberry salad is the kind of dish that makes people stop and ask what's in it. The dressing leans on fresh lime juice rather than any processed citric acid additives, so you know exactly what's going into every drop — just olive oil, honey, cumin, and a squeeze of real lime. That distinction matters more than it might seem, since citric acid as a manufactured additive turns up in a surprising number of bottled dressings and packaged salad kits. Here, everything is built from scratch with whole, recognizable ingredients. Baby spinach and ripe strawberries form a naturally sweet and earthy base, while the cilantro and red onion add a little sharpness that keeps each bite interesting. Pepitas bring a satisfying crunch, and the optional avocado makes the whole bowl feel more substantial and creamy. Toss it together right before serving and it's ready in minutes — no cooking, no stress, just a genuinely vibrant salad you can feel good about.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the salad
- 5 oz baby spinach
- 1 lb fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- ¼ cup red onion, very thinly sliced
- ⅓ cup fresh cilantro leaves
- ¼ cup dry-roasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
- 1 ripe avocado, pitted and sliced (optional)
For the dressing
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- 1 tbsp honey
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- 1
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, honey, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper until the dressing is smooth and fully combined.
- 2
Add the baby spinach, sliced strawberries, red onion, and cilantro leaves to a large salad bowl.
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