Print

Fresh Arugula Salad with Strawberries and Goat Cheese

fresh arugula salad - featured image

A quick and easy fresh arugula salad featuring sweet strawberries, tangy goat cheese, and toasted nuts, perfect for a light meal or side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 5 cups fresh arugula (about 150g), washed and dried
  • 1 cup strawberries (about 150g), hulled and sliced
  • 4 ounces goat cheese (115g), crumbled
  • 1/4 cup toasted nuts (30g) sliced almonds or chopped pecans
  • 2 tablespoons red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
  • A handful fresh basil leaves, torn (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Wash and dry the arugula thoroughly. Hull the strawberries by cutting off their green tops and slice them thinly. If using, thinly slice the red onion and tear fresh basil leaves into smaller pieces.
  2. Toast the nuts (optional): Place sliced almonds or pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat. Stir frequently until golden and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool.
  3. Make the dressing: In a small bowl or jar, combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk or shake vigorously until emulsified. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  4. Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, add arugula, strawberries, toasted nuts, goat cheese crumbles, red onion slices, and basil leaves if using. Drizzle the dressing over the top.
  5. Toss gently using salad tongs or two large spoons to combine everything without breaking the delicate strawberries or crushing the cheese. Aim for an even coating of dressing throughout.
  6. Serve immediately. If needed, hold off on tossing with dressing until just before serving to keep everything crisp.

Notes

Prepare dressing ahead and refrigerate up to 3 days. Toast nuts carefully to avoid burning. Slice strawberries uniformly for balanced sweetness. Toss salad just before serving to keep arugula crisp.

Nutrition

Keywords: arugula salad, strawberry salad, goat cheese salad, fresh salad, easy salad recipe, quick salad, healthy salad, vegetarian salad, gluten-free salad