This simple Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad is creamy, tangy and crunchy, and comes together in just minutes for the perfect fresh and delicious meal. Best in the spring and summer when strawberries are at their peak flavor and ripeness.
I absolutely love using fresh, ripe produce, especially when it’s in season. And a salad is one of my favorite ways to showcase it. This Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad is vibrant and seasonal, and it’s so unbelievably easy to make. It’s the perfect spring or summer salad, and with so many colors and flavors, it’s elegant for entertaining but easy enough for a weeknight lunch or dinner. This recipe is what I like to call, the best of both worlds.
Fresh leafy greens, creamy goat cheese, crunchy walnuts, and sweet berries, get drizzled with a super simple-to-make tangy balsamic dressing for the ultimate salad creation. This Strawberry and Goat Cheese Salad hits all of the flavor and texture notes, so it’s no surprise it’s one of my staples, and it’s sure to be one of yours too.
If you’re a big salad fan like we are, try our other fresh and flavorful go-to’s. I love this Chopped Steak Cobb Salad for a quick dinner, and this Southwest Chopped Chicken Salad, too.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fresh and Seasonal: With sweet, ripe strawberries, this is the perfect vibrant starter, or a fresh and flavorful main course.
- 5-Minute Homemade Dressing: Simple and delicious, this homemade dressing comes together quickly, fuss-free.
- Easy To Add a Protein: Try topping this salad with grilled chicken or seared steak to turn this into a hearty meal.
Ingredients
For the Balsamic Dressing:
- Balsamic Vinegar: Tangy and sweet, use your favorite variety. Some are thick and syrupy while others are thinner, so use whatever you like best.
- Olive Oil: Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil as the base for this dressing.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds a little heat and tang. And helps to emulsify the dressing.
- Maple Syrup: For sweetness.
- Garlic: Freshly minced, adds a little kick and aromatic flavor.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential to season a vinaigrette.
For The Salad:
- Walnuts: Nutty and toasty, adds great texture and flavor.
- Salad Greens: I like to do a spring mix or arugula. Baby spinach or a combination of these leafy greens would work nicely, too.
- Fresh Strawberries: Ripe, sweet, and fruity.
- Goat Cheese: Tangy and creamy, pairs perfectly with the berries.
- Freshly Cracked Black Pepper: Go for the freshly cracked, it makes all the difference!
How To Make Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad
1. Make the Dressing: In a small jar with a lid, combine balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Shake vigorously until emulsified. Taste and adjust sweetness with maple syrup if desired.
2. Prep the Greens: wash and thoroughly dry the salad greens using a salad spinner. Transfer to a large serving bowl.
3. Assemble the Salad: Top the greens with sliced strawberries and chopped walnuts. Crumble goat cheese over the top. Sprinkle sunflower seeds (if using) and finish with freshly cracked black pepper.
4. Dress & serve: Drizzle with balsamic dressing just before serving and toss gently. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Toast Walnuts: Toasting these gives them a deeper, nuttier flavor, and an extra crunch.
- Use Room Temperature Goat Cheese: Allow it to come to room temperature instead of using it straight from the fridge so it crumbles more easily.
- Dress Lightly: Drizzle on just a little dressing at first. You can always add more but you can’t remove it!
- Add Dressing Right Before Serving: To prevent soggy greens. Don’t mix the dressing into the salad too far in advance.
- Slice Strawberries Right Before Assembling: Do this just before serving, so the strawberries are the freshest with the best flavor and texture.
- Add Protein: Top this salad with grilled or crispy chicken, seared steak or shrimp, or even crisped up prosciutto to bulk it up and make it a main course.
Storage
Once the salad is dressed, it’s best to enjoy it immediately. Which shouldn’t be an issue, because it’s so delicious! If you have leftover dressing, store it in an airtight container or jar with a lid in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Drizzle it over fresh salad or new greens when you’re ready to use it again.
Be sure to store all leftover salad components separately in airtight containers in the fridge to keep everything as fresh and flavorful as possible. When you’re ready to serve again, assemble the salad and enjoy!
FAQs
Any leafy greens work well. Spring mix, baby spinach, arugula, or a combination of any of these would be delicious. Something more delicate is best, versus an iceberg or romaine.
Of course. There are so many already made store-bought dressings available so use your favorite. We recommend something tangy and acidic over a creamy ranch or blue cheese.
Goat cheese is naturally soft, so clumping can happen, but to minimize it, use a fork versus your hands to delicately break off crumbles into the salad.
More Delicious Spring Recipes
Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad
Ingredients
Method
- Make the Dressing: In a small jar with a lid, combine balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Shake vigorously until emulsified. Taste and adjust sweetness with maple syrup if desired.
- Prep the Greens: wash and thoroughly dry the salad greens using a salad spinner. Transfer to a large serving bowl.
- Assemble the Salad: Top the greens with sliced strawberries and chopped walnuts. Crumble goat cheese over the top. Sprinkle sunflower seeds (if using) and finish with freshly cracked black pepper.
- Dress & serve: Drizzle with balsamic dressing just before serving and toss gently. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- If you have leftover dressing, store in an airtight container or jar with a lid in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Drizzle over fresh salad or new greens when you’re ready to use it again.
- Store all leftover salad components separately in airtight containers in the fridge to keep everything as fresh and flavorful as possible. When you’re ready to serve, assemble the salad and enjoy!