Hungry for a refreshing salad with bright, fresh flavors? Strawberry Spinach Goat Cheese Salad is quick to assemble and is the perfect starter for almost any meal, or a meal itself!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There are plenty of recipes out there for strawberry salads, and why not? Fresh, seasonal berries are fabulous on pancakes and yogurt, why not a green salad too?
This strawberry goat cheese salad recipe is different! Besides being really simple with luscious with contrasting flavors and textures, its got some extras:
- Thin, perfect asparagus that’s barely cooked so it stays really crisp.
- Crunchy sliced almonds.
- Tangy goat cheese and sweet strawberries.
- A juicy, honey-spiked fresh lemon vinaigrette.
- Lots of healthy spinach.
- This would make a delicious dinner with something quick and easy like Skillet Taco Bake or Chicken Sausage Tortellini Soup.
- For a strawberry overload, why not try this Mini Strawberry Pies Recipe for dessert?
Love salads like this? Try this Blackberry Goat Cheese Salad too!
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the full recipe, instructions and list of ingredients, please scroll to the recipe card below.
- Strawberries: Get the freshest looking, organic ripe strawberries you can find at the grocery store.
- Fresh Baby Spinach: This leafy but sturdy green isn’t bitter at all, and so perfect in this salad.
- Mache: This little green lettuce is special and sweet and sometimes referred to as “lambs ear.” If you can’t find it, use butter lettuce instead.
- Asparagus: As thin as you can find, organic if possible.
- Shallot: Thin slices of this subtle and sweet (and my very favorite in the whole world) onion.
- Goat Cheese: Tangy and creamy goat cheese for a delicious contrast of textures.
- Sliced Almonds: For a little extra crunch.
- Fresh Lemon: Make one of the best salad dressings ever by shaking the juice. together with olive oil, mustard, mayo and seasonings to make a bright, flavorful vinaigrette.
Step-by-Step Instructions
For the full recipe, ingredient list and instructions, please scroll to the recipe card below.
- Remove the woody bottoms of the asparagus with a vegetable peeler or paring knife
- Cook the asparagus quickly in a saute pan with a little water, just enough to retain it’s bright green color and crispness
- Whisk together the fresh lemon vinaigrette
- Divide the greens, asparagus, sliced shallots, goat cheese, almonds and strawberries on each plate or into a large bowl.
- Drizzle with the vinaigrette and serve!
Expert Tips and Variations
- This spinach salad can be made more substantial and totally amazing with a warm, thinly cut chicken breast on top. So would grilled salmon or even sliced hard boiled egg.
- Swap out the sliced almonds for toasted pine nuts or walnuts or pecans! Honey roasted almonds are a nice switch too.
- This salad comes together quickly! Prep the ingredients in advance in separate containers, refrigerate, and plate when you’re ready to serve.
- If you don’t have shallots, use thinly sliced red onions instead.
- Use spring mix greens if you prefer over spinach
Serving Ideas
- I’ve served this salad many times on a big, white platter and let everyone help themselves with the vinaigrette served on the side.
- This salad would be good with a Fig Pizza with Prosciutto and Arugula.
- Make a veggie side like this and grill some chicken for an easy dinner. This Tin Foil Baked Chicken would be perfect, and so would this Chicken Sausage and Vegetable Skillet.
- Have a salad party! Make a few salads for a full spread. Other ideas are this Blackberry Salad with Toasted Hazelnuts, Modern Carrot Salad, or Pan Roasted Pear Salad.
- Make some toasted bread and olive oil for alongside. If you’re having this for lunch, round it out with Dark Cherry Smoothies.
- For casual dinners, serve it before Summer Pasta or this Turkey Burger. So good!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add protein to this salad?
Yes! Sliced, cooked chicken would be wonderful, so would grilled shrimp.
Can I use something besides strawberries in this recipe?
Sure! Try fresh blueberries or raspberries instead.
Can this salad be made in advance?
You can prep the components separately in advance, and the lemon vinaigrette will be fine in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Arrange and drizzle the salad dressing just before serving.
Can I use a different flavor of vinaigrette?
Yes! Poppy seed dressing or a nice balsamic vinaigrette would be delicious.
More Recipes to Try:
- Strawberry Almond Milk Smoothie: Thick, rich and without dairy!
- Santa Fe Grilled Chicken Salad Recipe: Another great salad.
- Farm Fresh Taste of Home Favorites: Good old home cooking recipes.
- Italian Green Bean Salad: Crunchy and fresh with a robust vinaigrette!
- Healthy Breakfast Bowl Recipe: Fresh and so delicious for busy mornings!
- Roasted Spring Vegetables with Vinaigrette: So pretty, so delicious.
- Spring Vegetable Frittatas: Healthy for a quick breakfast, brunch or light lunch.
- Cherry Puff Pastry Turnovers: An easy danish pastry to make at home.
- Strawberry Cheesecake in a Jar: A reader favorite, these are easy to make in advance.
- Outrageous Chocolate Dipped Strawberries: Beautiful and surprisingly easy, this is a fun dessert to make, eat or gift!
- Simple Chickpea Salad: Simple and perfect with pantry staples, this salad is a keeper!
- Celery Salad with Hazelnuts: What to do with leftover celery? This is an absolutely delicious little recipe you’ll make again and again!
If you’ve tried this Strawberry Spinach Goat Cheese Salad, or any recipe on Studio Delicious, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.
Looking for more tips and fresh, homemade recipes? Join my email list, tag and follow me on Instagram using #studiodeliciouseats, follow my boards on Pinterest, and see what I’m up to on Facebook and Twitter!
Strawberry Spinach Goat Cheese Salad
Strawberry Spinach Goat Cheese Salad has delicious fresh flavors, made brighter with a fresh zesty lemon dressing
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Servings: 4
Calories: 371kcal
Ingredients
- 4 ½ cups Spinach, fresh, rinsed and dried, torn into bite-sized pieces
- 1 ½ cups Mache, lambs ear or butter lettuce, rinsed, dried and torn
- 1 pound Asparagus, washed and dried with bottom woody parts removed
- 2 tablespoons Shallot, sliced thin
- 4 tablespoons Goat Cheese, crumbled
- 4 tablespoons Sliced Almonds
- 2 cups Strawberries, organic if possible, sliced
- FOR THE LEMON VINAIGRETTE
- 6 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 4 tablespoons Lemon Juice, freshly squeezed
- 3 teaspoons Honey
- 1 ½ teaspoons Dijon Mustard
- 1 ½ teaspoons Mayonnaise
- ½ teaspoon Pepper, freshly ground
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- PREPARE ASPARAGUS
- Remove the woody bottoms of the asparagus with a paring knife or vegetable peeler. Place asparagus in a medium saucepan with just enough water to cover the bottom, along with a pinch of salt.Turn heat to medium high and bring to a light (not rolling) boil. Cook until the water is evaporated and the asparagus is bright green, about four minutes.
- Remove asparagus from pan and quickly place it a bowl of cold water with ice cubes to stop the cooking process and help retain the bright green color. Let the asparagus sit in cold water for about five minutes, then remove and pat them dry carefully on clean paper towels.
- PREPARE THE VINAIGRETTE
- Place all the ingredients in a small bowl and whisk with a fork to completely combine. Alternatively, put all ingredients in a small canning jar with a lid, shaking it for several minutes until combined.
- PLATE THE SALADS
- Divide the greens onto four plates, then divide the spears of the asparagus onto each plate. Sprinkle a heaping teaspoon of shallot on each plate, and a tablespoon or so each of the crumbled goat cheese and sliced almonds. Divide the strawberries on each plate, then drizzle with a generous tablespoon of the vinaigrette, and more for serving if desired.
Notes
- Try honey roasted sliced almonds instead of plain, super delish!
- Use a bit more honey in the vinaigrette if you like it sweeter
- Remove the woody bottom part of each asparagus spear with a vegetable peeler
Nutrition
Calories: 371kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 260mg | Potassium: 675mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 4788IU | Vitamin C: 65mg | Calcium: 125mg | Iron: 5mg
Tips for Success with Every Recipe
- Super important to read the whole recipe before you begin
- Pay attention to the ingredient list and photos for the recipe
- If possible, prep your ingredients a little before you start
- Always use a sharp knife for safety
- Use the size of pan called for in the recipe
- For savory recipes, taste and season as you go
- Buy fresh, organic ingredients, locally sourced whenever possible
Did you make this recipe?Show me! Tag @studiodelicious or use the hashtag #studiodeliciouseats!
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This recipe was updated with new text and instructions November, 2021.
Your pictures are making me hungry! I absolutely love this salad & I love that it has asparagus!!
I love everything strawberry. It’s especially wonderful when I can have more ways to enjoy them that are not in the form of desserts! This was refreshing and hit the spot!
Lemon anything reminds me of my mom! This salad not only tasted good, but is beautiful too! Definitely packs a punch in flavor and presentation.
The flavors of this salad is perfect! Love how easy it is to assemble!
This salad has my mouth watering. I haven’t tried asparagus with strawberries before but it really does sound amazing. Saving this for next week. Thanks!
I love the Tangy dressing to this amazing salad combination. So colorful and healthy too.
Great! Thanks
This strawberry spinach salad is the perfect spring dish! I love the asparagus and goat cheese, they pair perfectly with the crunch from the almonds, and that beautiful lemon vinaigrette ties it all together! Delicious!
This looks like a great salad to try. Right now in Florida, we are having the perfect weather for salads. I will be putting this on my list.
There is nothing quite like making homemade salad dressing and this one looks incredible! Thanks for sharing all the great tips to make this!
Such a delicious salad. I have some asparagus in the fridge waiting to be used. Can’t wait to make it again.
Perfect! Thanks 🙂
This is such a fresh and seasonal salad. Lots of asparagus now and strawberries are just coming into season. Mache is one of my favorites too. What a lovely recipe!
Why thank you!
Looking forward to trying this as I’ve never had strawberries in a salad before.
You’re in a for a treat!
One of my go-to summer salads! It’s so refreshing and it’s always perfect for a potluck or picnic!
Great to hear!
This salad is so light, fresh and delicious! And that lemon vinaigrette really sends it over the top!
Thanks so much!
This is a beautiful and flavorful Salad. I can’t wait to taste it.
Thank you!!:)
This looks luscious! I love the combination of goat cheese and asparagus, it’s always a winner.
So true! Thanks!
I am typically not a fan of salad but this one is AMAZING! I love ALL of these ingredients and it is such a great balance of flavors and textures.
Good deal, thank you!
I love the combination of fresh flavors in this recipe! I have all the ingredients and will be making it for dinner this week!
Great, enjoy!
Such a unique combination of ingredients, and they go together SO well! What a great, light, fresh salad. Love this recipe so much.
Perfect for the spring, right? Thanks
This was so delicious!! I would have never thought to put these ingredients together, but WOW!! They all jived so well!! I am hooked!
Great! Thanks