Strawberry Salad isn’t just a side dish; it’s a vibrant symphony of flavors and textures, combining the luscious sweetness of ripe strawberries, the bright tang of juicy clementines, the chewy tartness of dried cranberries, and the satisfying crunch of pistachios. All these delightful components are brought together with a light, zesty homemade citrus dressing, creating an irresistibly refreshing salad perfect for any occasion.
From a Last-Minute Idea to a Show-Stopping Favorite!
You know those recipes that just come together by accident and end up being absolutely incredible? This Strawberry Salad is one of them!
A few weeks ago, I was hosting family for dinner. My main dishes – a comforting shepherd’s pie and perfectly roasted vegetables – were all set. Then, with guests arriving soon, I realized I’d completely forgotten about a salad! A quick peek into the fridge revealed a bounty of fresh produce, and inspiration struck.
I hastily combined crisp greens, sweet strawberries, bright clementines, and a handful of other goodies. For the dressing, I borrowed the secret weapon from my popular mandarin orange salad, tweaking it slightly to complement the strawberries. What resulted was an unexpected triumph! Everyone raved about this last-minute creation, and it disappeared faster than any other dish on the table. It was clear then that I had to recreate and share this fantastic recipe with all of you.
The combination of juicy strawberries with that zesty citrus dressing is simply divine. It’s truly a must-try, and I can’t wait to hear what you think!
Why This Strawberry Salad Will Become Your New Go-To
Beyond its delightful taste, this Strawberry Salad offers a multitude of reasons to become a staple in your recipe rotation:
- Effortlessly Elegant: Despite its gourmet appearance, this salad is surprisingly simple to prepare, making it perfect for both busy weeknights and special gatherings.
- Bursting with Fresh Flavors: Every bite delivers a harmonious blend of sweet, tart, and savory notes, thanks to the fresh fruit, creamy cheese, and crunchy nuts.
- Nutrient-Packed: Loaded with vitamins from fresh berries and citrus, healthy fats from pistachios, and fiber from leafy greens, it’s a wonderfully nutritious addition to any meal.
- Crowd-Pleaser: As my own experience proves, this salad has a universal appeal that will have everyone asking for the recipe.
- Highly Customizable: Easily adapt the ingredients to suit your preferences or what you have on hand, from different nuts to various cheeses and even added proteins.
Essential Strawberry Salad Ingredients
Crafting the perfect Strawberry Salad starts with choosing quality ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what makes this salad truly shine:
- Greens: A base of fresh, crisp mixed greens or tender spinach works beautifully. Both offer a neutral canvas that allows the vibrant flavors of the fruit and dressing to take center stage.
- Fruit: The stars of the show! Opt for ripe, sweet strawberries for their natural juiciness. Clementines, with their easy-to-peel nature and bright, sweet-tart segments, add a delightful citrusy pop. Ensure both fruits are at their peak for the best flavor experience.
- Pistachios: For an irresistible crunch and a hint of earthy flavor, shelled, dry-roasted pistachios are ideal. They require no extra preparation and add a wonderful textural contrast. Walnuts or pecans are also fantastic alternatives.
- Cranberries: Dried sweetened cranberries provide a delightful chewiness and a tart counterpoint to the sweet berries. If you prefer a different tang, dried tart cherries are another excellent choice.
- Feta or Goat Cheese: Crumbled feta offers a salty, briny kick that beautifully balances the sweetness of the fruit. If you’re not a fan of feta, creamy, tangy goat cheese is a superb substitute, adding a luxurious texture.
- The Citrus Dressing: This homemade dressing is the secret weapon! It’s bright, zesty, and incredibly flavorful. Prepare it ahead of time if possible; the flavors meld and deepen as it chills, making it even more delicious.
Simple Steps to Your Best Strawberry Salad
Creating this delicious salad is straightforward. Follow these steps for a perfectly balanced and incredibly fresh dish:
- Prepare the Zesty Dressing: Begin by making your citrus dressing. Zest and juice the clementines and lemon, then combine with honey, Dijon mustard, and salt in a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth, then slowly drizzle in the olive oil while pulsing until emulsified. This can be done up to 5 days in advance and stored in a Mason jar in the refrigerator. Just shake well before using.
- Prep Your Fresh Fruit: Hull the strawberries and thinly slice them. For clementines, peel and separate them into individual segments. A helpful guide for cutting strawberries efficiently can ensure you get the most out of your fruit.
- Assemble Your Salad Bowl: In a large mixing bowl, combine your choice of fresh greens, the sliced strawberries, and the clementine segments.
- Add the Toppings: Evenly scatter the dried cranberries and pistachios over the salad mixture.
- Dress and Serve: Just before serving, drizzle the chilled citrus dressing over the salad to taste. You might not need all of it, so add it gradually. Top with crumbled goat cheese or feta. Toss gently to combine and serve immediately to enjoy its peak freshness.
Expert Tips for a Flawless Strawberry Salad
- Embrace Fresh Citrus: The quality of your citrus truly makes a difference in the dressing. Always use fresh zest and juice from real clementines and lemons. Bottled juices simply won’t deliver the same vibrant, bright flavor.
- Chill for Optimal Flavor: This salad is best enjoyed when all its components are nicely chilled. Ensure your fruit, greens, and especially the dressing, have had time to cool in the refrigerator before assembly.
- Perfect Strawberry Storage: To extend the life of your fresh strawberries, remove them from their original plastic container. Line a new container or the original one with a paper towel, then layer the berries, placing more paper towels between layers. Do not wash them until you are ready to use them, as moisture accelerates spoilage.
- Don’t Over-Dress: Add the dressing gradually and to your taste. You might not need the entire batch. Over-dressing can make the salad soggy.
- Timely Assembly: To maintain maximum freshness and crunch, wait until just before serving to add the dressing and cheese.
Salad Variation Ideas to Inspire You
This Strawberry Salad is incredibly versatile. Feel free to get creative and customize it to your liking:
- Nuts: While pistachios are wonderful, don’t hesitate to experiment! Toasted walnuts, pecans, or sliced almonds offer different nutty profiles. For a sweeter, more indulgent salad, consider using chopped candied pecans.
- Add a Grain: Boost the heartiness and nutritional value by adding a cooked grain. Fluffy quinoa or chewy farro are excellent choices that complement the sweet and savory elements.
- Introduce Protein: Transform this side salad into a complete meal with the addition of protein. Grilled chicken, especially with a flavorful marinade, or pan-seared shrimp, thinly sliced, would be delicious.
- Other Fresh Additions: For a touch of creamy richness, add slices of ripe avocado. If you enjoy a sharper bite, a few thin slivers of red onion can provide an exciting contrast.
- Dressing Alternatives: If you prefer a less sweet dressing, a classic balsamic vinaigrette makes a fantastic substitute, offering a more robust tang.
- Vegan Friendly: Easily make this salad vegan by simply omitting the cheese. The other ingredients provide plenty of flavor and texture.
- Whole30 Compliant: For a Whole30 approved version, skip the honey in the dressing and the cheese in the salad. You’ll still enjoy a incredibly fresh and satisfying dish.
Storage and Meal Prep
To prevent your Strawberry Salad from becoming soggy, only dress and add the cheese to the portion you plan to eat immediately. Store the dressing separately in an airtight container, like a Mason jar, in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. The dry salad components (greens, fruit, cranberries, pistachios) can be stored in a separate container for 1-2 days. Assemble just before serving for the best texture and freshness.
Featured Comment
“I made this salad last night, and it was absolutely delicious! The dressing was tangy but smooth, and the entire combination was just amazing. My husband wouldn’t stop talking about how good it was. I rarely leave reviews on recipes, but this was so good I felt compelled to. Thank you!”
– Nicole
More Refreshing Salad Recipes to Love:
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Print Recipe
Strawberry Salad
Chelsea Lords
15 minutes
15 minutes
6 servings, as a side
Equipment
- Food processor or blender
Ingredients
- 10 ounces spring mix lettuce blend or fresh spinach
- 1 pound strawberries hulled and thinly sliced
- 4 clementine oranges peeled and separated into segments
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries
- 3/4 cup pistachios shelled and coarsely chopped
- 3/4 cup crumbled goat cheese or feta
- 3 to 4 clementine oranges
- 1 large lemon
- 2-1/2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons Dijon-style mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup olive oil
Instructions
- In a large bowl, gently combine the mixed greens, sliced strawberries, clementine segments, and dried cranberries.
- To make the dressing, zest and juice the clementines and lemon to yield approximately 2 teaspoons of orange zest, ½ teaspoon of lemon zest, 4 tablespoons of orange juice, and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Add all zest, juices, honey, Dijon mustard, and salt to a food processor or blender. Blend until the mixture is smooth. While the processor is running (or pulsing), slowly stream in the olive oil until the dressing is well emulsified and creamy. Be careful not to over-blend.
- This salad is best served immediately after dressing. When ready to serve, drizzle the prepared citrus dressing over the salad to taste (you may not need all of it). Then, sprinkle with pistachios and crumbled goat cheese (or feta). Toss gently to ensure all ingredients are coated, and serve right away to enjoy its refreshing crispness.
Recipe Notes
Storage: Once dressed, this Strawberry Salad will not store well as the greens and fruit can become soggy. For meal prep or leftovers, store the homemade dressing separately in an airtight container for up to 1 week in the refrigerator. The dry salad ingredients (greens, fruit, cranberries) can be stored undressed. Do not add pistachios or cheese to any portion you plan to store for later.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 482kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 462mg | Potassium: 863mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 38g | Vitamin A: 4932IU | Vitamin C: 150mg | Calcium: 237mg | Iron: 3mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
We hope you enjoy this delightful Strawberry Salad as much as we do. It’s a testament to how simple, fresh ingredients can come together to create something truly extraordinary!