Summer salads are a staple at our family table, and this Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad with Nuts is a real crowd-pleaser! It’s light, refreshing, and packed with vibrant flavors that make each bite exciting.
The juicy strawberries pair beautifully with the creamy goat cheese, while a sprinkle of nuts adds just the right crunch. Whether it's a casual lunch or a little something special for dinner, this Goat Cheese Strawberry Salad brings a touch of sweetness and a lot of smiles to our day. Perfect for those times when you want something quick yet utterly delicious!
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Why This Recipe Works
- Delightful Flavor Combo: Enjoy the sweet strawberries, creamy goat cheese, and tangy dressing for a flavor explosion.
- Refreshing & Satisfying: A light and refreshing option that keeps you feeling energized and satisfied.
🥘 Ingredients
This Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad is great on it's own and will pair great with our Stovetop Arugula Frittata or these simple Spinach Egg Muffins With Mozzarella Cheese.
Salad Ingredients:
- Spring Mix: Provides a fresh, leafy base for the Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad, featuring a variety of young, tender greens with different textures and flavors.
- Strawberries: Adds a sweet and juicy element, contrasting nicely with the savory components.
- Pistachios: Offers a crunchy texture and a slightly nutty flavor, enhancing the overall mouthfeel of the Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad.
- Tangy Goat Cheese: Contributes creaminess and a distinct tangy taste that complements the sweetness of the strawberries.
- Sunflower Seeds: Adds extra crunch and a subtle nuttiness, as well as additional nutritional benefits.
- Avocado: Provides a creamy texture and rich, buttery flavor that balances the acidity and sweetness of the other ingredients.
Dressing Ingredients:
- Olive Oil: Serves as the base of the salad dressing, adding smoothness and helping to bind the other ingredients together.
- Strawberries: When blended, these create a vibrant, naturally sweet dressing that pairs perfectly with the salad.
- Balsamic Vinegar: Introduces a zesty tang and depth of flavor, enhancing the fresh taste of the strawberries in the salad.
- Honey: Adds a touch of sweetness to the dressing, balancing the acidity of the balsamic vinegar.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Savory Upgrade: Elevate the Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad with the addition of grilled chicken and a sprinkle of fresh basil for a savory twist.
- Grilled Peaches: Include grilled peaches in the salad for a warm and caramelized touch, creating a dynamic combination of flavors between the fruit and cheese.
- Maple Dijon Drizzle: Create a tantalizing dressing by whisking together maple syrup, extra virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, and balsamic vinaigrette. This sweet and tangy blend will enhance the salad's flavors while adding a rich and velvety texture.
🔪 How To Make Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad?
Step One: Combine olive oil, blended strawberries, balsamic vinegar, and honey in a blender or food processor. Blend on high until smooth. If needed, add up to 2 tablespoons of water to reach the desired consistency. Strain the dressing to remove seeds or lumps for a silky texture. Thinly slice strawberries and dice the avocado. Ensure the strawberries are evenly sliced for balanced sweetness, and cut the avocado into small pieces for a creamy contrast.
Step Two: Place the spring mix, sliced strawberries, diced avocado, pistachios, crumbled goat cheese, and sunflower seeds in a serving dish. Generously drizzle the freshly prepared strawberry balsamic dressing over the salad, coating all the ingredients with its sweet and tangy flavors. Present the Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad immediately after assembling to maintain the freshness and vibrant colors of the ingredients and savor the delightful flavors!
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Freshness Matters: Use ripe, juicy strawberries and creamy goat cheese for the best flavor combination in this Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad.
- Make-Ahead Option: Prepare the dressing in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Drizzle over the salad just before serving to keep the ingredients fresh and vibrant.
💭 FAQs
While fresh strawberries are ideal for this salad due to their firm texture and vibrant flavor, you can use frozen strawberries if fresh ones are unavailable. Be sure to thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid to prevent the salad from becoming watery. However, keep in mind that the texture of frozen strawberries will be softer compared to fresh ones.
A balsamic vinaigrette is a classic choice that complements the sweet strawberries and creamy goat cheese perfectly. You can make a simple balsamic vinaigrette by whisking together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper. For a twist, you can also try a poppy seed dressing or a citrus vinaigrette to add a bright and tangy flavor to the salad.
Baby spinach, arugula, or mixed spring greens are great choices. They provide a fresh and mild base that complements the sweetness of the strawberries and the tangy goat cheese.
Yes, but it's best to store the ingredients separately and assemble just before serving to keep the greens fresh and the goat cheese from getting too soft.
Toasted nuts like almonds, pecans, or walnuts add crunch. Avocado, red onions, or dried cranberries can enhance the flavor. A sprinkle of black pepper or fresh basil also elevates the dish.
To maintain freshness, store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. However, it is recommended to consume the salad immediately after preparation to enjoy its optimal taste and texture.
🧂Serving Suggestions
Pair Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad With These side dishes:
- Grilled Chicken: Serve this Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad alongside grilled chicken breasts or thighs for a fulfilling and protein-rich meal.
- Crostini: Serve the Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad with crispy crostini topped with a spread of herbed cream cheese for a delightful appetizer or light meal.
- Carrot Rice: Enhance the meal by serving the salad with fragrant carrot rice, adding a touch of sweetness and vibrant color to the plate.
- Air Fryer Cod Fillet: Pair the Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad with crispy air-fried cod fillets for a light and delicious protein option that complements the fresh flavors of the salad.
- Jalapeno Cornbread: Complete the meal with a side of warm and spicy Jalapeno Cornbread, adding a comforting and flavorful twist to the dining experience.
🍽 Related Recipes
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Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups of Spring Mix
- ½ cup Strawberries
- 1 tablespoon Pistachios
- 1 tablespoon Goat cheese
- 1 tablespoon Sunflower seeds
- ½ Avocado
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- ¾ cup Strawberries
- 1 tablespoon Balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
Instructions
- Slice the strawberries and dice the avocado. Ensure the strawberries are thinly sliced to evenly distribute their sweetness throughout the salad.
- Cut the avocado into small, bite-sized pieces for a creamy contrast to the other ingredients.
- Combine the olive oil, blended strawberries, balsamic vinegar, and honey in a blender or food processor. Blend on high until the mixture is smooth and well incorporated.
- Add up to 2 tablespoons of water during blending, if necessary, to achieve the desired dressing consistency.
- Pour the dressing through a sieve to remove any seeds or lumps, ensuring a silky texture.
- Place the spring mix, sliced strawberries, diced avocado, pistachios, crumbled goat cheese, and sunflower seeds in a serving dish.
- Generously drizzle the freshly prepared strawberry balsamic dressing over the salad, coating all the ingredients with its sweet and tangy flavors.
- Present the Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad immediately after assembling to maintain the freshness and vibrant colors of the ingredients and savor the delightful flavors!
