Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad
Strawberry goat cheese salad is the perfect way to use up fresh strawberries, paired with tangy goat cheese and a simple strawberry balsamic vinaigrette for a delicious warm-weather dish!
When strawberry season arrives, it’s so exciting to come up with all the fresh ways to use them. Strawberry scones, strawberry shortcake, strawberry galette, and no-bake strawberry cheesecake cups have been our go-to treats.
This strawberry goat cheese salad recipe is a different type of favorite—still sweet and fresh, but lighter, savory, and a great choice for lunch or an easy side. It’s a delicious salad with simple ingredients that you’ll crave every summer!
Why You’ll Love Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad
- Fresh & Delicious Ingredients: Like peach caprese salad with blueberries and this vegan harvest salad, this salad also uses refreshing ingredients such as sweet strawberries, goat cheese crumbles, and a bold balsamic dressing!
- Easy to Throw Together: This simple salad is so quick to make, taking only 10 minutes from start to finish!
- Light Side Dish or Hearty Meal: Serve it as-is for a great side salad, or top with grilled chicken for a healthy and filling meal! Looking for another fresh salad option? Try this roasted pear salad with lemon vinaigrette for a sweet and savory combination.
Ingredients
- Spring Mix: A mix of baby greens like peppery arugula, spinach, and other mixed greens gives this strawberry goat cheese salad a fresh and light base.
- Strawberries: The contrast of sweet, juicy strawberries is lovely with the tanginess of the creamy goat cheese and balsamic dressing. When in season, fresh strawberries are best—however, store-bought works wonderfully too!
- Avocado: Mix in avocado for a buttery addition that rounds out the whole dish.
- Goat Cheese: Sprinkle the goat cheese over the leafy greens for a flavorful, bold contrast.
Find the full list of ingredients, amounts, and instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad
Here are the step-by-step instructions for making strawberry goat cheese salad.
Step 1: Wash the spring mix, drain, and add to a large mixing bowl. Quarter the strawberries and dice the avocado, and add to the bowl of greens.
Step 2: Sprinkle the goat cheese, pistachios, and sunflower seeds over the other ingredients in the bowl.
Step 3: To make the dressing, add all the dressing ingredients to a blender or food processor. Mix on high until smooth. (If needed, add 2-4 tablespoons of water to help the ingredients blend).
Step 4: Pour dressing through a sieve to remove any seeds, and drizzle dressing over the salad just before serving.
How to Store
This strawberry salad is best enjoyed right away. If you do end up with leftovers, store in the fridge and eat within 24 hours. The greens may wilt a bit, but the flavors will still be delicious.
This simple salad would be so good as a side dish with simple whole roasted chicken, cheeseburger sliders, or teriyaki burgers.
Expert Tips
- To prepare this salad ahead of time, combine everything but the strawberry slices, avocado, and dressing, and store in a separate airtight container for up to 2 days. Add the remaining ingredients right before serving for the best taste and freshness.
- Be sure that your strawberries aren’t too overly ripe, which could get mushy in the salad when sliced. Look for bright red and firm strawberries for the best flavor.
- For best results, blend the salad dressing until completely smooth. Strain out the seeds for a creamy texture that coats the salad evenly.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can. While using spring mix is our favorite way to fix this salad, you can also try baby spinach, butter lettuce, or romaine hearts. Just be sure to avoid ‘heavier’ lettuce types such as iceberg, which does not pair with the creamy dressing or fruit very well.
If stored in an airtight container (a mason jar is great for this), the dressing will stay fresh for up to 5-7 days in the fridge.
Feta cheese is a great addition that still has that crumbly texture and tangy flavor. For a milder option, try fresh mozzarella balls or shredded parmesan.
More Summer Side Dish Recipes
- Sourdough Cheddar Biscuits
- Mashed Potato Casserole
- Refrigerator Pickles With Garlic and Dill
- Peach Caprese Salad with Blueberries
If you make this recipe and enjoy it, please leave a comment with a 5-star recipe rating and let me know! Thank you!
Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad w/ Strawberry Vinaigrette Recipe
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients:
- 6 cups of Spring Mix
- 1 1/2 cups Strawberries quartered
- 1 Avocado
- 1/2 cup Goat Cheese
- 1/4 cup Pistachios shelled
- 1/4 cup Sunflower Seeds
Instructions
- Wash the spring mix, drain, and add to a large bowl. Quarter the strawberries and dice the avocado, and add to the bowl of greens.
- Sprinkle the goat cheese, pistachios, and sunflower seeds over the other ingredients in the bowl.
- To make the dressing, add all the dressing ingredients to a blender or food processor. Mix on high until smooth. (If needed add 2-4 tablespoons of water to help the ingredients blend).
- Pour dressing through a sieve to remove any seeds, and drizzle dressing over the salad just before serving.
Notes
- To prepare this salad ahead of time, combine everything but the strawberry slices, avocado, and dressing, and store in a separate airtight container for up to 2 days. Add the remaining ingredients right before serving for the best taste and freshness.
- Be sure that your strawberries aren’t too overly ripe, which could get mushy in the salad when sliced. Look for bright red and firm strawberries for the best flavor.
- For best results, blend the salad dressing until completely smooth. Strain out the seeds for a creamy texture that coats the salad evenly.
This is such a refreshing summer salad, and a great use for fresh strawberries!