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This strawberry salad is the best spring and summer meal! Super crunchy and textured with avocado and goat cheese. Absolutely delicious.
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup sliced or slivered almonds: for crunch
- 3 tablespoons sugar: to caramelize almonds
- 10 ounces arugula greens: base of the salad
- 8 ounces strawberries: hulled and quartered or chopped
- 1 avocado: chopped
- 2 ounces crumbled goat cheese: creamy texture
- ⅓ cup roasted salted pistachios: chopped
- 3 tablespoons champagne vinegar: base of vinaigrette
- 1/2 lemon, juiced: adds brightness
- 2 tablespoons honey: adds sweetness
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard: for tang
- 1 garlic clove: freshly grated
- Pinch kosher salt and pepper: to taste
- 1/2 cup olive oil: emulsifier
Instructions
- Caramelize Almonds:
- Place the almonds in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Stir in the sugar and cook, stirring often, until the sugar melts and is caramely, coating all of the almonds - about 6 to 8 minutes. Don’t take your eyes off of this as they can burn quickly! Transfer the almonds to a piece of parchment paper to let them cool. Break them into pieces if they are clumped.
- Assemble Salad:
- Toss the arugula with a pinch of salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add in the strawberries, avocado, goat cheese, pistachios and sugared almonds. Drizzle on the dressing and toss well. Serve immediately!
- Make Vinaigrette:
- Combine vinegar, honey, lemon juice, dijon, garlic, salt and pepper in a large bowl and whisk together. Stream in the olive oil while constantly whisking until the dressing comes together. Store in the fridge for up to one week.
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It’s fresh, savory, creamy and crunchy
Ideal for what I require in a salad!
Sugared and Savory Nuts
So because of that, I like to use two varieties of nuts here. First, we’re making the sugared almonds from the blueberry salad because they are so fantastic. I highly suggest you don’t leave these out. They MAKE the dish. And they are easy too. You have to keep an eye on them but you can also prep them ahead of time. You can see me make them on instagram today!
Roasted Pistachios
Then on the flip side, I like to use roasted, salted pistachios. A sweet nut and a savory nut. Pistachios are one of my favorites – so buttery and rich. Having both nuts in the salad adds such a wonderful layer of crunch and flavor.
Avocado and Goat Cheese
Next, the creamy avocado and goat cheese! I love using both of these too – the avocado is mild and the goat cheese is tangy. You can also sub in feta or leave out the cheese entirely if you don’t like goat.
I love how the goat cheese melts into the whole salad when it’s tossed. It’s always my favorite part of goat cheese in a salad!
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Sweet Strawberries
Finally, the strawberries!
Leave them in halves or quarter them – or chop. Whatever you wish. I love that we are entering full blown strawberry season where they taste like actual candy. I’m also wondering how old that makes me sound, because when adults used to tell me that strawberries taste like candy when I was a kid, I’d look at them like they had ten heads.
Of course, I’ve said this to Max and Emilia recently and while strawberries probably rank as one of their favorite foods, they do NOT think they are candy. Ha.
Champagne Vinaigrette Dressing
I love to use a champagne vinaigrette on this salad because it’s still tangy and briney, but mild at the same time. It’s not quite as strong as red wine or apple cider vinegar. It adds a nice savory contrast to the salad, but still lets the other ingredients shine. The best dressing, in my opinion! Of course, feel free to use another one that you love here. The creamy balsamic from my blueberry salad would also be incredible.
Can’t Get Enough
Can’t get enough of this beauty!
Recipe Questions
- → Can I use a different cheese instead of goat cheese?
Yes, feta is a great substitute if you prefer a saltier option, or you can omit it entirely for a dairy-free version.
- → What other greens can I use besides arugula?
Spinach, spring mix, or baby kale work well and provide a milder or more tender base.
- → Can I make the sugared almonds in advance?
Absolutely. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- → How long does the champagne vinaigrette last?
Stored in the fridge, the vinaigrette will keep for up to one week in a sealed container or jar.
- → Can I add a protein to make it a full meal?
Grilled chicken, shrimp, or even salmon pair beautifully with the flavors in this salad.