If there’s such a thing as salad perfection this might just be it.
A Strawberry Salad with Goat Cheese just screams spring, summer and sunshine doesn’t it? Bright red, sweet strawberries, fresh greens, creamy, tangy goat cheese and the ultimate topper with my Honey Butter Almonds…. are you dying to try it? Heck yes you are!
This salad is perfection in the spring when the first strawberries start making an appearance and I don’t want to see my slow-cooker again for a good six months, but it’s also one of my favourite summer salad recipes to take on a picnic or to a bbq.
This salad is simple, but incredibly tasty. All the elements just work so perfectly together. Everything is fresh and bright and yummy and then!! We add in a special hit of fresh herbs and a subtle punch from a little red onion.
The whole thing is topped off with my go-to white balsamic vinaigrette… come to my house in any warm weather month and you’ll probably find a jar of this balsamic dressing in the fridge.
If there’s one little tidbit of guidance I feel is important it’s to seek out “good” strawberries to make this salad. They’re kind of the star of the show so you don’t want them to be a let down. The strawberries in a Strawberry Salad should probably not be upstaged by the lettuce. Ok? Ok.
Scroll past the recipe if you’re looking for tips, substitutions, questions, etc. and details on how to make this recipe, but if you want to get straight to it, here’s my recipe-ish…
Strawberry Salad with Goat Cheese
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 8 cups greens spring mix, baby spinach, field greens, etc.
- 2 cups strawberries sliced
- 1/4 cup goat cheese crumbled
- 1/4 cup red onion thinly sliced
- 2 Tbsp fresh mint chopped
- 3/4 cup Honey Butter Almonds chopped
For the dressing:
- 2 Tbsp white balsamic
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp Poppy seeds
- S&P
- 1/4 cup Olive oil
Instructions
Make the salad:
- Add the greens to a large bowl. Top with the strawberries, goat cheese, red onion and mint.
Make the dressing:
- Combine the white balsamic, maple syrup, dijon, poppy seeds and olive oil. Season well with S&P and whisk until well combined.
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss.
- Top with the Honey Butter Almonds.
Notes
strawberry salad with goat cheese Recipe ingredients, tips, substitutions:
Greens – I’m a big fan of spring mix greens in this salad, but honestly any mixed greens will work… baby spinach, baby kale, arugula, romaine, butter lettuce…
Strawberries – no explanation necessary (I hope). Fresh is best. I suppose if you absolutely had to you could use frozen strawberries that have been thawed, but it wouldn’t be ideal.
Goat Cheese – There are so many different types of goat cheese, but I usually buy already crumbled goat cheese (but you can easily use a log of goat cheese and crumble it yourself). If you don’t enjoy goat cheese you can substitute feta or even blue cheese.
Mint – fresh mint only please. If you don’t like mint you can sub in basil or parsley or cilantro.
Honey Butter Almonds – this is my own recipe that you can find here, but you can use your favourite candied nut. Candied pecans or walnuts are fantastic choices.
Strawberry Salad with Goat Cheese Recipe Variations:
Mixed Berry Version – if you happen to get your hands on some spectacular raspberries, blackberries or blueberries add ’em in!
Peppery Version – strawberries and black pepper are good friends. If you’re feeling spicy go ahead and top the salad with a good hit of freshly cracked black pepper just before serving.
Avocado Version – slice up a ripe avocado, toss it in lemon juice and add it to the salad.
Veganized Version – use a plant based cheese in place of the goat cheese and your favourite candied nut instead of the honey almonds.
strawberry salad with goat cheese recipe, how to make it…
First you’ll want to make your candied nuts of choice so they have time to cool. Try not to eat them all before making the salad.
Next toss all the salad ingredients… greens, strawberries, goat cheese, red onion and mint… into a large bowl.
Whisk up the dressing by mixing together the white balsamic, maple syrup, dijon mustard, poppy seeds and olive oil. Hit it with a good seasoning of salt and pepper and give it a taste.
Dress the salad and toss well to combine everything.
Top with the almonds and serve.
serving suggestions? try these…
- This is one of my favourite salads for lunch or a light dinner with some chopped, grilled chicken and crusty bread.
- Serve it as a side dish for a patio dinner party wth grilled salmon.
- Or for brunch with these Lemon Poppy Seed Blender Muffins
- Pack up the salad and the dressing separately and bring it to your next picnic, tossing with the dressing right before serving.
- Looking for another yummy summer salad? Try my Grilled Salad with Crisp Bread and Summer Veg, Corn and Tomato Salad with Buttery Toasted Bread or Elote Pasta Salad – The Best Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad.
Let me know what you think in the comments below!
