Simple Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad w/ Balsamic Vinaigrette (2024)

Summertime is the best time for fresh, tasty, in season summer salads that delight! If you’ve made any of my 10 Vegetarian Salad Recipes to Make This Summer, you know I’m a fan of hearty, veg packed salads with bold flavors and seasonal ingredients. Here’s why you’ll enjoy this salad too:

• easy to make
• tangy and creamy
• texture rich
• versatile

With just a few simple fresh ingredients and a pantry ready dressing, this salad recipe can be whipped up in minimal time. Share it as a side with your favorite grilled mains, enjoy it for lunch or share at a potluck.

If you love fresh seasonal side salad recipes, you’ll enjoy this flavorful salad.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Salad:

• Salad Greens such as spinach, butter lettuce, arugula or other favorite. Pea shoots are a tasty addition too, if available.
• Fresh Strawberries – look for local and in season if possible for best flavor.
• Goat Cheese – look for a young goat cheese that’s creamy, not crumbly, in texture. Somegoat cheeseis not vegetarian. Check the label to avoid rennet or enzymes. Look specifically for vegetarian (microbial) rennet or check with your favorite cheese maker. Two of my favorite vegetarian goat cheese brands are Cypress Groves and Vermont Creamery.
• Walnuts or Nuts of Choice – my favorite for this salad are walnuts, however pecans or pistachios work perfectly with this salad.
• Sunflower Seeds – add crunch, nutrition and another layer of interest.

For the Balsamic Dressing:

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil – use a full-bodied high quality olive oil for best flavor.
• Balsamic Vinegar – adds tangy and sweet flavor. there are many varieties available from rich, sweet and thick to runny and pungent. Some thicker varieties, like thisRitrovo Balsamic Vinegar(my favorite) are naturally sweeter. Because of these variations, adjust the amount of balsamic vinegar used in the dressing and sweetness to taste.
• Dijon Mustard – aids in emulsifying the dressing while adding a salty and rich flavor.
• Shallot – adds interest and earthy flavor.
• Maple Syrup – adds interest and just a bump of sweetness to the salad.

Quick Guide: How to Make Strawberry Salad with Goat Cheese

Easy peasy to whip up after a trip to the market. Look for the freshest strawberries and greens to enjoy in this healthy salad. Here’s how to make this strawberry and goat cheese salad (see recipe card for details):

• First, mix up the dressing in a jar by adding olive oil, balsamic vinegar, dijon, finely chopped shallot and maple syrup. Shake until mixed.
• Second, toast the walnuts.
• Third, wash the greens and spin dry.
• Next, add all the ingredients to a large bowl; greens, strawberries, nuts, seeds, cheese and dressing.
• Last, add in a few twists of black pepper from a pepper mill. Toss and enjoy!

You can make the dressing up to three days in advance and the salad up to two days in advance. Refrigerate the salad, undressed, until ready to enjoy.

Variations on Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad Recipe

There are endless variations to this easy goat cheese and strawberry salad recipe. Enjoy with your favorite greens, nuts and seeds. You can even sub the strawberries for blueberries or add blueberries to this fabulous salad. Here are a few ideas:

The Greens: Enjoy with baby spinach, arugula, leafy greens like butter lettuce or a salad mix or romaine. A combination of any of these greens add interest and texture to this salad. My favorite: Strawberry spinach arugula salad with goat cheese!

Pea Shoots (optional): If you can get your hands on these, they’re a lovely addition. They add so much texture, interest and flavor to any salad.

The Nuts: I love toasted walnuts with this salad, but pecans, slivered almonds or pistachios are just as fabulous!

The Seeds: A perfect partner with unsalted sunflower seeds, you can also enjoy this salad with hemp hearts or pumpkin seeds.

The Cheese: Creamy, tangy goat cheese (aka Chèvre) pairs so well with summer berries, but also, feta, blue cheese or little mozzarella balls would be delicious. If dairy free or vegan, you can sub your favorite crumbly dairy free cheese or mozzarella here.

Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad Recipe

Servings:6 – 7 servings as a side salad

Calories:266kcal

Nutrition is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate. If this information is important to you, please have it verified independently.

Serving: 1side serving | Calories: 266kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 72mg | Potassium: 255mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 687IU | Vitamin C: 39mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 1mg

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