Description
A fresh, colorful, and flavorful salad that combines sweet strawberries, creamy goat cheese, peppery arugula, and crunchy nuts, all tied together with a tangy balsamic honey vinaigrette. Perfect for a light lunch or as a vibrant starter.
Ingredients
6 cups fresh arugula
1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced
4 oz goat cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup toasted pecans or walnuts
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional: pinch of sea salt
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon honey (or maple syrup for vegan option)
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey (or maple syrup), Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to make the vinaigrette.
- In a large mixing bowl, toss together arugula, sliced strawberries, red onion, and half of the goat cheese.
- Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and gently mix until evenly coated.
- Transfer the salad to a serving dish and sprinkle the remaining goat cheese and toasted nuts on top.
- Finish with freshly ground black pepper and a pinch of sea salt if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
Use baby spinach or mixed greens for a milder flavor.
Feta or blue cheese can substitute goat cheese.
Use sunflower or pumpkin seeds if nuts are unavailable.
Maple syrup can replace honey for a vegan option.
Add grilled chicken or quinoa to make it a main dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
