We are finishing up our summer salad series today and, boy, did we save a special treat for you today…. Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad with Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette!
1. How to Throw a Salad Bar Party with FREE Printable Labels
2. Basic Creamy Salad Dressing and Simple Balsamic Dressing
3. Green Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing
4. Papaya & Avocado Salad with Papaya Seed Dressing
6. Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad with Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette
Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad with Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette is one of my absolute favorite salads of all time. The strawberry has the perfect sweetness to contrast the tangy flavor of the balsamic and goat cheese. The flavors almost dance in your mouth! Not to mention it is light and absolutely perfect for summer.
To start I like to use 1/2 spring mix 1/2 baby spinach. You can use any green you prefer but I think this combo really compliments the lighter dressing and pairs well with the strawberry and cheese. Next I prep my strawberries by quartering them. I like to prepare the goat cheese by taking a plain log, crumbling the portion I need and cracking fresh black pepper over it. After a quick mix to combine it is ready to go into the salad. I am of firm belief that fresh cracked pepper and goat cheese is a match made in heaven! If you don’t like goat cheese (gasp!) feel free to substitute feta in this salad. Also, make sure you have your croutons ready. You can buy some or if you really want to put this salad over the top you can try out our recipe for Scrumptious Homemade Croutons. If you have never had homemade croutons you might be missing out on life!
To prepare the dressing you combine all of the ingredients and shake, whisk, or vigorously stir until emulsified. The garlic should be fresh for the best results. Once you have it together, let it set for 2 hrs to overnight to let the flavors come together. Make sure you shake, whisk, stir again to make sure it is properly emulsified before serving.
Right before serving you will want to combine the greens, strawberries, goat cheese, toasted pine nuts and croutons then drizzle the vinaigrette over top and toss to coat.
Looking for something to serve it with? Last time we made it we served it with these Perfect Slider Sandwiches, YUM!
This salad has such simple flavors but the way they come together just can’t be described! Prepare to LOVE this salad!!!
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{Summer Salad Series} Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad with Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 4 Cups Mixed Greens - Baby Spinach Combo
- 1 Cup Strawberries quartered
- 4 Ounces Goat Cheese crumbled & mixed with 1/2 Tsp fresh cracked black pepper
- 1/4 C Toasted Pine Nuts Optional
For the dressing:
- 1/2 Cup Balsamic Vinegar
- 1 Cup Olive Oil
- 2 Tbsp Mayo
- 1/4 Tsp Salt
- 1/4 Tsp Onion Poweder
- 1/4 Tsp Dried Basil
- 1/2 Tsp Dried Oregano
- 2 Tbsp Sugar
- 3 Cloves Fresh Garlic crushed and diced
Instructions
- Combine all dressing ingredients and mix thoroughly until dressing is emulsified.
- Combine all salad ingredients
- Drizzle dressing to taste over salad (You will not use all of the dressing!)
- Toss to coat
(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)
Make sure to check out the other salads in our Summer Salad Series! We will have you eating light and healthy ALL SUMMER LONG!
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Jen @ PinKWhen says
Yummy salad ladies!!! Great minds must think alike, I have one today, also! Have a great week, can’t wait to start playing with my Photoshop Elements!
Kimber says
I just saw yours Jen and it looks so good too! You know how much we love a good salad! I love the idea of adding apples though! I will have to give it a try!
Rosey says
This salad just looks pretty. I’m totally in the mood for one of these today.
Peggy S. Mitchell says
There’s a local restaurant in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada called “Earl’s” that makes a Seasonal version of this salad with the addition of plump, ripe blueberries. Best salad I’ve ever tasted. Thank you so much for the recipe – I’ve been thinking about how to recreate it.
Kimber says
So glad I could help! This is one of my favorite recipes too. The addition of blueberries is such a great idea. I will definitely try that next time 🙂 enjoy!