This Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad is the perfect combo of fresh, sweet and savory! Juicy strawberries, creamy goat cheese and crunchy walnuts come together with crispy bacon and a tangy and sweet balsamic dressing you'll want to drizzle on everything.
It's light, flavorful and so easy to throw together. This salad is perfect for a quick lunch, a side dish for dinner or even when you want to wow your friends at a potluck. Trust me, this salad is going to be your new go-to during strawberry season!
If you are looking for more of our favorite salad recipes, check out our: Grilled Salmon Salad, Burrata Caprese, Arugula Burrata Salad, or Summer Peach Panzanella Salad.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Quick: This salad is ready in no time! Slice up the sweet strawberries and shallot, whisk together the simple dressing and toss everything together. With minimal prep and no actual cooking (just pre-cooked bacon), it's a fresh and easy option for any meal.
- Flavorful: Every bite of this salad is packed with flavor. Juicy fresh strawberries, tangy goat cheese crumbles, leafy greens, crispy bacon, and crunchy walnuts all work together perfectly. The zesty homemade balsamic vinaigrette ties it all together for a fresh and exciting dish.
- Customizable: It's so easy to make this salad your own. Swap in pecans for walnuts, try arugula or spinach instead of butter lettuce, or add some grilled chicken to make it heartier. You can easily adapt it to fit your cravings or whatever you've got in the fridge!
Ingredients
Here are the simple ingredients you will need for this strawberry salad:
- Olive oil: Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil will be best for this.
- Balsamic vinegar: Use white balsamic vinegar. If you prefer classic balsamic, you can use it as well, or substitute with sherry vinegar.
- Honey: Honey gives the salad dressing a little sweetness. You can substitute it with maple syrup, agave, or any other sweetener of choice you have on hand.
- Mustard: Use good quality Dijon mustard for the salad dressing. I love Maille brand mustard!
- Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice will provide the best flavor.
- Kosher salt & black pepper
- Lettuce: Use baby butter lettuce. Baby greens are tender yet crunchy and so delicious in salads. I use them whenever I can find them!
- Strawberries: If you make this recipe in the summer, try to get some fresh strawberries from your local farmer's market. They will taste incredible in this salad! You can also add in any other fresh berries like blueberries or blackberries.
- Walnuts: You can substitute walnuts with sunflower seeds, pecans, or even use candied nuts for a touch of sweetness.
- Goat cheese log: Use a small goat cheese log instead of pre-crumbled goat cheese. It will be fresh and taste better!
- Shallot: You can substitute shallots with red onion.
- Bacon: You will need five cooked and chopped pieces of bacon. The bacon provides a delicious saltiness that complements the sweetness of the strawberries.
See recipe card below for quantities.
Instructions
Let's make this delicious salad together!
- Step 1: Combine the olive oil, white balsamic vinegar, honey, dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl or mason jar. Whisk or shake until smooth and well mixed.
- Step 2: Lay the lettuce on a large platter or in a large salad bowl. Add the strawberry slices, walnuts, goat cheese, shallot, and chopped bacon on top.
- Step 3: Pour about half of the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine. Add more dressing if needed to suit your taste.
- Step 4: Serve immediately and enjoy!
Expert Tips and Tricks
Here are some expert tips to make this strawberry goat cheese salad recipe:
- Chilled ingredients: Keep the lettuce, strawberries, and goat cheese cold until you're ready to assemble the salad for maximum freshness.
- Make ahead: The dressing can be prepared up to a week in advance and stored in the fridge. Shake it well before using.
- Adjust the sweetness: Taste the dressing before adding it to the salad. If it's too tangy, add a touch more honey.
Top Tip
Double the dressing! Make a double batch of salad dressing to have on hand for all of your salads for the week.
Kitchen Equipment
Here is some kitchen equipment you will need for this simple salad. You can find all of these products on Amazon.
- Large bowl: Use a large bowl to serve this salad.
- Salad Dressing Shaker Bottle: I love this salad dressing shaker bottle. It's a juicer and shaker in one, making it perfect for salad dressing.
- Serving Spoons: These wooden salad serving spoons are gorgeous and will make serving your salad a breeze. They're Acacia wood and so pretty!
Substitutions and Variations
Here are some common recipe substitutions and variations for this perfect summer salad.
- Lettuce: Swap butter lettuce for peppery arugula, baby spinach, spring mix or mixed greens for a different flavor and texture.
- Bacon: Use turkey bacon, pancetta or even crispy chickpeas for a vegetarian option.
- Goat cheese: Substitute with feta or blue cheese for a different creamy flavor.
- Walnuts: Swap with pecans, almonds or pistachios for a different crunch and flavor.
- Honey: Maple syrup or agave nectar can replace honey for a different sweetener.
- White Balsamic Vinegar: Use regular balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar as an alternative.
- Shallot: Substitute with thinly sliced red onion, green onions or chives for a milder onion flavor.
- Strawberries: Try swapping strawberries for other fresh fruits like blueberries or peaches.
- Additions: Add fresh herbs like basil, mint or thyme to the dressing for an extra pop of flavor. Add homemade or store bought croutons for an extra crunch that compliments the creamy goat cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
To make this salad a complete meal, try adding grilled chicken, shrimp or salmon. You could also add a soft boiled egg or roasted turkey for extra protein. For a vegetarian option, consider adding chickpeas or quinoa.
Yes, you can make the dressing ahead of time! Simply store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Make sure to shake or whisk it again before using, as the ingredients may separate over time. This can save you time on meal prep and allow the flavors to blend even more!
Yes, you can use a different type of lettuce! Arugula, spinach, mixed greens, or even romaine would work well as alternatives to butter lettuce. Each will bring its own texture and flavor, so feel free to experiment based on what you prefer or what you have on hand.
Recipe Storage and Reheating
Here are storage instructions for this summer time salad:
- Refrigerator Storage: For best results, store the salad and dressing separately in the fridge. The salad will keep for about 1-2 days, but the lettuce may wilt if left too long. The salad dressing can last up to a week in an airtight container.
- Freezer Storage: Freezing is not recommended.
Other Recipes to Try
Looking for other recipes? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with this Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad:
Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad with White Balsamic Dressing
Ingredients
For the Dressing:
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- ½ tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Salad:
- 6 cups baby butter lettuce
- 1 ½ cup strawberries stems removed and sliced
- ½ cup walnuts raw
- 4 oz goat cheese
- 1 sliced shallot
- 5 slices cooked bacon chopped
Instructions
- Combine salad dressing ingredients in a small bowl or jar. Whisk or shake until combined.
- Arrange baby butter lettuce, strawberries, walnuts, goat cheese, shallot, and chopped bacon on a large platter or bowl.
- Pour ½ of the dressing over salad, toss, and serve. Add additional dressing as needed.
Did You Make This Recipe?
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