Easy & Refreshing Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Get ready to savor the taste of summer with this incredibly sweet, tangy, and utterly delightful Strawberry Salad with Goat Cheese. This vibrant salad is a celebration of fresh, juicy strawberries, paired perfectly with creamy, tangy goat cheese, crisp greens, and a simple, homemade balsamic dressing. It’s an ideal dish for any occasion, whether you’re looking for a light lunch, a stunning side for a family dinner, or a crowd-pleasing addition to your next picnic or barbecue. Its beautiful colors and refreshing flavors make it a standout dish that’s as easy to prepare as it is delicious to eat.
What could be more invigorating than a burst of your favorite seasonal fruit? Imagine that, but in a refreshingly light salad that truly spotlights the best of what the season has to offer! Here in New Jersey, it’s peak strawberry season, and I’m absolutely thrilled to incorporate these ruby red gems into every meal possible. Their natural sweetness and slight tartness are simply irresistible.
While I love finding creative ways to sneak strawberries into classic dishes, like a Strawberry Balsamic BLT or a delectable Fresh Strawberry Breakfast Bread, sometimes the simplest preparations are the most satisfying. When I crave something genuinely light, quick, and bursting with fresh flavor, a salad is always my go-to. This particular strawberry goat cheese salad is a testament to how effortlessly simple ingredients can create something extraordinary.
For this delightful salad, I combine a tender spring mix lettuce with perfectly ripe strawberries, generously crumbled tangy goat cheese, crisp slices of cucumber for added hydration, and a sprinkle of sliced almonds to introduce a lovely textural crunch. A quick drizzle of my easy olive oil and balsamic dressing, followed by a gentle toss and a scattering of fresh herbs, transforms these humble ingredients into a harmonious masterpiece. It’s a symphony of flavors and textures that truly defines salad perfection!
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad
There are countless reasons why this strawberry goat cheese salad will quickly become a favorite in your recipe rotation, especially during warmer months. Beyond its undeniable deliciousness, it’s incredibly versatile and easy to customize. It’s perfect for meal prepping, allowing you to enjoy a fresh, healthy option throughout the week. The combination of sweet strawberries, creamy goat cheese, and a zesty dressing offers a sophisticated flavor profile that appeals to both casual diners and gourmands alike. Plus, it’s packed with nutrients, making it a healthy choice for any meal.
- Effortlessly Delicious: With minimal effort, you can create a salad that tastes gourmet. The fresh ingredients do most of the work!
- Perfect for Summer: Light, refreshing, and vibrant, this salad is the quintessential summer dish, ideal for hot days and al fresco dining.
- Versatile & Customizable: Easily adapt the ingredients to suit your preferences or what you have on hand. Don’t like almonds? Try walnuts! No strawberries? Use raspberries or peaches!
- Healthy & Nutritious: Packed with fresh produce, healthy fats, and protein, it’s a guilt-free pleasure that nourishes your body.
- Visually Stunning: The bright red of strawberries against the green lettuce and white goat cheese makes for a visually appealing dish that’s sure to impress your guests.
- Quick & Easy: From start to finish, this salad comes together in mere minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or spontaneous gatherings.
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Essential Ingredient Notes for Your Perfect Strawberry Salad
To truly elevate this strawberry salad with goat cheese, the quality of your ingredients is key. Whenever possible, seek out fresh, local produce to capture the authentic flavors of the season. Farmers’ markets are a fantastic resource for finding peak-season strawberries that simply can’t be matched by store-bought varieties. Here’s what you’ll need, along with some tips for selecting the best of each:
- Lettuce: The base of any great salad! Feel free to use your favorite variety or a mix. I often opt for a 50/50 spring mix, which typically includes baby spinach for a tender texture and mild flavor. Other excellent choices include peppery arugula, nutrient-rich spinach, crisp romaine, or delicate butter lettuce. For this particular recipe, I recommend avoiding iceberg lettuce, as its watery texture and less robust flavor don’t quite complement the other ingredients as well.
- Strawberries: The star of the show! Choose fresh strawberries that are uniformly bright red, plump, and firm. They should smell sweet and fragrant. Fresh strawberries are at their absolute peak during late spring and early summer, offering the best flavor and juiciness. Avoid berries with white spots or signs of mold.
- Goat Cheese: This provides the signature tangy, creamy element. Look for plain goat cheese, often labeled as “chèvre” in the cheese section of your grocery store. I highly recommend purchasing it in small logs and crumbling it yourself. The texture and fresh taste are far superior to pre-crumbled goat cheese found in containers, which can sometimes be drier or less flavorful.
- Almonds: Sliced almonds add a wonderful crunch and a delicate nutty flavor. While sliced almonds are my preference, you can absolutely use any nut you like! Toasted pecans, walnuts, or even pistachios would be delicious variations, adding their own unique character to the salad.
- Cucumbers: I like to add fresh cucumbers for an extra layer of crunch and a refreshing pop of green color. English cucumbers or Persian cucumbers are great choices because they have thinner skins and fewer seeds.
- Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar: These two form the base of our simple yet effective dressing. Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor. For the balsamic, ensure it’s a true balsamic vinegar, not a glaze, as we want a liquid consistency for tossing.
- Salt, Pepper, and Fresh Herbs: A pinch of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper are essential for seasoning. Fresh herbs, such as basil or thyme, are optional but highly recommended to brighten the flavors and add an aromatic touch.
Simple Steps to Assemble Your Refreshing Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad
Preparing this delicious summer strawberry salad is wonderfully straightforward—so much so that you barely need step-by-step instructions! There’s truly no wrong way to combine these fresh ingredients. Just a few simple actions will lead you to a perfect salad: slice your fruit and vegetables, crumble your cheese, drizzle with dressing, and toss gently. But before you dive in, be sure to read through my expert tips below to ensure your salad success and make it truly shine!
📝Expert Tips for Salad Perfection
- Efficient Lettuce Prep: To save precious time, consider using pre-washed lettuce, which is a fantastic shortcut for busy days. If you’re washing your own lettuce, a salad spinner is your best friend. It efficiently removes excess moisture, preventing your salad from becoming watery and ensuring the dressing adheres beautifully. If you don’t have a spinner, simply pat the greens thoroughly dry with paper towels.
- Mastering the Balsamic Dressing: While I’ve included precise measurements for the balsamic dressing in the recipe card, I confess that I often just eyeball it. The beauty of homemade dressing is that you can adjust it to your personal taste! Start with a smaller amount and taste as you go, adding more olive oil or balsamic until you reach your desired balance. Don’t worry if you make too much; this simple balsamic vinaigrette stores wonderfully in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, ready for your next salad.
- Strawberry Preparation Simplified: There’s no need for fancy hulling tools when preparing your strawberries. Simply use a small knife to gently cut off the leafy green tops. Once hulled, you can slice them crosswise into rounds, or chop them into bite-sized pieces, depending on your preference for the salad’s texture.
- Cucumber Preferences: Whether to peel your cucumbers or not is entirely up to you! I personally prefer to peel mine for a smoother texture, especially if the skin is thick or waxed. However, if you enjoy the slight bitterness and extra fiber, or if you’re using thin-skinned varieties like English or Persian cucumbers, feel free to leave the skin on.
- The Crunchy Nut Secret: To ensure your nuts remain wonderfully crunchy throughout the salad, always add them as the very last ingredient before serving. Tossing them too early, especially with the dressing, can cause them to soften, diminishing that satisfying textural contrast.
Creative Substitutions and Delicious Variations
This strawberry goat cheese salad is wonderfully adaptable, making it easy to tweak according to your dietary needs, personal preferences, or whatever ingredients you happen to have on hand. Feel free to experiment and make it your own!
- Fruit Innovations: Don’t feel limited to just strawberries! While they are fantastic, this salad base welcomes a variety of fruits. Any berry will work beautifully, such as raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries. Peaches or other stone fruits like nectarines or plums (pitted and sliced) add a delightful sweetness and soft texture. Grapes, particularly red or black varieties, halved for easier eating, are another fantastic option for a burst of juicy flavor.
- Balsamic Alternatives: Balsamic vinegar and strawberries are a match made in culinary heaven, but if you’re out, or simply want to try something different, there are great alternatives. Red wine vinegar makes a good substitute, offering a similar tang. For a brighter, lighter dressing, whisk olive oil with fresh lemon juice and a touch of honey or maple syrup to create a simple lemon vinaigrette.
- Zesty Citrus Boost: To truly bring out the natural freshness and sweetness of the fruit, consider adding a little citrus zest. A sprinkle of fresh lemon zest or orange zest over the top of the finished salad can brighten all the flavors and add a wonderful aromatic note.
- Goat Cheese Swaps: If goat cheese isn’t your favorite, or if you’re looking for an alternative, feta cheese is an excellent substitute. It offers a similar salty, tangy crumble that complements the strawberries beautifully. For a milder, creamier option, fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini) or even crumbled blue cheese (if you enjoy a bolder flavor) could also work.
- Boost with Protein: To transform this light side dish into a more substantial, rounded meal, easily add your favorite protein. Grilled chicken or turkey breast, sliced thinly, works wonderfully. For a vegetarian option, grilled or pan-seared tofu, tempeh, or even a handful of cooked quinoa can add a satisfying protein boost.
- Add More Veggies: Boost the nutritional content and crunch with additional vegetables. Thinly sliced red onion or shallots can add a sharp bite, while bell peppers (any color) or cherry tomatoes offer extra color and sweetness.
- Crunch Factor: Besides almonds, consider adding toasted pecans, walnuts, or even candied nuts for an extra special touch. For a savory crunch, try homemade croutons.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips for Your Salad
This strawberry salad with goat cheese is absolutely at its best when enjoyed immediately after preparation, when the greens are crisp, and the strawberries are fresh. The dressing, when mixed directly with the greens, can cause them to wilt and become mushy over time. However, with a few clever make-ahead strategies, you can enjoy this delicious salad with minimal fuss!
- Prep Ingredients in Advance: Wash and dry your lettuce, slice your strawberries and cucumbers, and crumble your goat cheese. Store each component separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The strawberries and cucumbers will stay fresh for 1-2 days, while the lettuce can last for 3-4 days if properly dried.
- Make the Dressing Ahead: The balsamic vinaigrette can be made up to two weeks in advance. Store it in a jar with a tight lid in the refrigerator. Shake it well before each use, as the oil and vinegar may separate.
- Assemble Just Before Serving: To maintain optimal freshness and texture, combine all the prepped ingredients and toss with the dressing only when you’re ready to serve. This ensures your salad remains vibrant and crisp.
- Leftovers (with dressing): While dressed salad can get mushy, that has never stopped me from enjoying it the next day! The flavors actually meld beautifully, even if the texture changes slightly. Just know it won’t have the same crispness. Store any dressed leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day.
Frequently Asked Questions About Strawberry Salads
Yes, absolutely! It’s crucial to wash your strawberries to remove any dirt, pesticides, or debris. However, wait until you are just about ready to eat them or use them in your recipe before washing. Washing them too far in advance can introduce moisture that encourages spoilage, causing them to get mushy faster. There’s no need for anything fancy; simply rinse them gently under cold running water. Pat them thoroughly dry with a clean paper towel or let them air dry completely before enjoying or slicing.
While fresh strawberries are highly recommended for this salad due to their firm texture and vibrant appearance, you can use frozen strawberries in a pinch. However, be aware that once thawed, they will release a lot of water and become very soft, which will change the texture of the salad. If using frozen, make sure to thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before adding them. They might be better suited for a blended dressing or a cooked application.
To make this delicious salad completely vegan, simply substitute the goat cheese with a plant-based alternative. There are many excellent vegan “feta” or “goat cheese” style crumbles available in most grocery stores that would work perfectly. Ensure your balsamic dressing is also vegan (most are, but always check labels for any hidden animal products like honey).
Adore Fruit? You’re in Good Company!
Me too! There’s something truly special about incorporating the natural sweetness and vibrant colors of fruit into various dishes. If you’re like me and can’t get enough of fruity combinations, you’ll love exploring these other delectable recipes that celebrate the best of the season. They are perfect for brunch, snacks, or a light dessert.
- Labneh Toast with Roasted Strawberries
- Lemon Ricotta Raspberry Toast
- Grilled Peach Caprese Toast
- Blueberry Toast
Did you make this refreshing Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad? I would love to hear about your experience! Please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and a comment right below the recipe card to share your thoughts. If you snap a photo of your beautiful creation, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @brunchandbatter. Your feedback and photos truly make my day!
📖Recipe
Strawberry Salad with Goat Cheese
Pin Recipe
Equipment
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large serving bowl or platter
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cutting board
Ingredients
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar (not glaze)
- ¾ cup olive oil
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- 5 ounces lettuce (spring mix, arugula, 50/50 mix, spinach)
- 1 cup sliced strawberries
- ½ cup sliced cucumbers
- 2-4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled buy it in a log and crumble yourself for the best taste
- ⅓ cup sliced almonds
- chopped fresh herbs such as basil or thyme optional
Instructions
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Combine the olive oil, balsamic, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a jar fitted with a tight lid. Shake well until combined. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper. Alternatively, you can whisk the ingredients in a bowl until it comes together. Set aside.¼ cup balsamic vinegar (not glaze), ¾ cup olive oil, Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
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Add the lettuce, strawberries, cucumbers, and goat cheese to a large bowl or serving platter. Add dressing to taste (you will have leftover dressing), and toss. Adjust for more dressing, then top with nuts. Serve immediately.5 ounces lettuce (spring mix, arugula, 50/50 mix, spinach), 1 cup sliced strawberries, ½ cup sliced cucumbers, 2-4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled, ⅓ cup sliced almonds, chopped fresh herbs such as basil or thyme
Notes
Measurements– I gave general measurements, but feel free to go lighter or heavier on the ingredients, depending on your taste.
Serving size– This salad can make enough for 2 as a large meal, or 4-6 as a side salad. Feel free to double the recipe.
Nutrition*
*Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. Nutrition information can vary depending on many factors, such as products used, measurements and substitutions, therefore it is recommended that you obtain nutritional calculations based on your own finished recipe.