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    Home » Recipes » Christmas

    Strawberry Goat Cheese Walnut Salad

    Published: Mar 26, 2023 by Cara Lanz · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    white plate with strawberry goat cheese salad with platter of salad in background
    white plate with strawberry goat cheese salad with platter of salad in background
    strawberry goat cheese salad on a white platter
    strawberry goat cheese salad on a white platter

    Strawberry Goat Cheese Walnut Salad is a delicious, beautiful salad with fresh strawberries, creamy goat cheese, red onion, candied walnuts, and baby spinach with a homemade honey lime dressing.

    Serve spinach strawberry goat cheese salad with Parmesan Crusted Cod or Crispy Baked Thin Chicken, or top it with a grilled chicken breast or shrimp for a hearty main dish salad.

    strawberry goat cheese salad on a white platter.

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    Jump to:
    • Why You're Going to Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Recipe Variations
    • How to Make Strawberry Goat Cheese Walnut Salad
    • Brown Sugar Candied Walnuts
    • Expert Tips
    • FAQs
    • More Delicious Recipes
    • 💌Let's Stay in Touch
    • 📖 Recipe

    Why You're Going to Love This Recipe

    • Fresh and flavorful green salad recipe you can serve as a side dish or full meal
    • Delicious way to enjoy fresh berries during strawberry season
    • Zippy honey lime homemade dressing you can shake together in minutes
    • Perfect summer salad with fresh and healthy ingredients

    Ingredients

    Strawberry Goat Cheese Walnut Salad

    strawberry goat cheese salad ingredients.

    See recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full list of ingredients and exact amounts. 

    Baby spinach. Baby spinach has tender stems, but you don't need to remove them unless you really want to.

    Fresh strawberries. Look for ripe strawberries that are firm and bright red with the green caps in place. Strawberries don't ripen after they're picked, so try to stay away from ones with white around the stem -- they weren't ripe when they were picked.

    Candied walnuts. Walnuts candied in brown sugar, cinnamon, add sweetness and texture to the strawberry and goat cheese salad. Use my brown sugar candied walnuts recipe or pick some up at the grocery store. You can also use toasted walnuts.

    Goat cheese. I like to use goat cheese that comes in a log -- it's creamier. You can also use pre-crumbled goat cheese.

    Honey Lime Dressing Ingredients

    honey lime dressing ingredients.

    Fresh lime juice. You'll need 2-3 limes to get 3 tablespoons of fresh lime juice. If possible, avoid using bottled lime juice -- it just doesn't have that same bright, fresh flavor.

    Honey. A little bit of honey balances out the tart of the lime.

    Dijon mustard. Dijon mustard not only adds tang, but is an emulsifier. 

    Recipe Variations

    • Any kind of leafy greens will work in this strawberry goat cheese salad recipe, like romaine, peppery arugula, or spring mix.
    • Try blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, or fresh peaches instead of strawberries!
    • Crunchy pecans, almonds, cashews, pine nuts, or sunflower seeds would all be delicious on a spinach strawberry salad.
    • Feta cheese, blue cheese crumbles, or any kind of crumbly, tangy cheese are great substitutes in this goat cheese strawberry salad.
    • This salad is also delicious with maple syrup balsamic dressing, poppy seed dressing, or Mandarin Orange Ginger Dressing. Or use any of your favorite salad dressings.

    How to Make Strawberry Goat Cheese Walnut Salad

    hand holding mason jar with honey lime dressing.

    Step 1: Place lime juice, honey, Dijon mustard, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl or mason jar with a lid. Whisk or shake in the covered jar until completely combined.

    strawberry goat cheese salad on a white platter.

    Step 2: Arrange spinach, strawberries, and red onion on a platter or in a large salad bowl. Toss to combine.

    strawberry goat cheese salad on a white platter.

    Step 3: Add enough honey lime dressing to lightly coat the salad. Or serve dressing on the side. Sprinkle with candied walnuts and goat cheese crumbles.

    white plate with strawberry goat cheese salad with platter of salad in background.

    I like to add the goat cheese after tossing with the dressing because the goat cheese can dissolve into the dressing.

    Serve with Seared Ahi Tuna with Sesame Crust or Crispy Baked Thin Chicken Breasts.  

    Brown Sugar Candied Walnuts

    Brown sugar candied walnuts add an extra special flair to the salad. They're really easy to make in about 5 minutes and are way less expensive than buying them at the store.

    Get my recipe here -->> brown sugar candied walnuts recipe.

    Expert Tips

    • This salad dressing is on the tangy side, with a low ratio of oil to acid. If you prefer less tang, add more oil.
    • If tossing the salad with dressing, add the goat cheese crumbles afterward. Otherwise, the goat cheese melts into the vinaigrette.
    • Dress the salad immediately before serving.
    • Store undressed leftover salad and dressing in separate containers.
    • Look for strawberries that are firm and bright red. Try to avoid ones with white at the stems -- they weren't ripe when picked and won't ripen any more after they're picked.

    FAQs

    How long will leftover strawberry salad with goat cheese last in the refrigerator?

    Store undressed leftover strawberry goat cheese walnut salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Store leftover dressing in a covered jar for 3-4 days.

    How do you cut goat cheese for salad?

    For clean slices of goat cheese, cut it with a piece of dental floss. Hold one end of the floss with each hand and slice it right through the soft cheese.

    To make your own goat cheese crumbles, break a piece of the goat cheese off of the log and tear it into small pieces.

    Can you eat spinach raw in salad?

    Yes, baby spinach is delicious eaten raw in salads. And because the stems are so soft and tender, there is no need to remove them.

    Can you make strawberry spinach salad with goat cheese and walnuts ahead of time?

    Yes. To make this spinach goat cheese salad ahead of time, prepare the candied walnuts and honey lime dressing a day or two in advance.

    Cut the strawberries and onions and crumble the goat cheese a day ahead of time and store them in separate containers.

    The fully assembled and dressed salad is best enjoyed immediately after preparation.

    More Delicious Recipes

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    • brown sugar candied walnuts in a white bowl on a surrounded by walnuts on a white countertop
      Brown Sugar Candied Walnuts
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      Easy Honey Lime Dressing
    • Balsamic Roasted Strawberries

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    📖 Recipe

    strawberry goat cheese salad on a white platter

    Strawberry Goat Cheese Walnut Salad

    Cara Lanz
    Strawberry Goat Cheese Walnut Salad Salad is a delicious and beautiful salad with fresh strawberries, creamy goat cheese, red onion, candied walnuts, and baby spinach with a homemade honey lime dressing.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe!
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Salad
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 303 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    Honey Lime Dressing

    • 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
    • 2 tablespoons honey
    • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • 1 clove minced garlic
    • ¼ cup olive oil
    • salt and pepper, to taste

    Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad

    • 5 ounces baby spinach
    • 2 cups sliced strawberries
    • ¼ cup sliced red onion
    • 2 ounces crumbled goat cheese
    • ½ cup candied walnuts or toasted or raw walnuts
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    Make the Honey Lime Dressing

    • Place all of the dressing ingredients in a small bowl or jar. Whisk or shake until well combined.

    Make the Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad

    • Place the spinach, strawberries, and sliced red onion on a large serving platter or in a large salad bowl.
    • Drizzle enough dressing to moisten the salad and gently toss to combine (or serve dressing on the side).
      Top with goat cheese crumbles and candied walnuts.
    • This salad is best enjoyed immediately.

    Notes

    • This salad dressing is on the tangy side, with an almost 1:1 ratio of oil to acid. If you prefer less tang, add more oil.
    • If tossing the salad with dressing, add the goat cheese crumbles afterward. Otherwise, the goat cheese will melt into the vinaigrette.
    • If you're planning on having leftovers, dress only the portion of the salad you'll be eating right away. 

    Brown Sugar Candied Walnuts

    Brown sugar candied walnuts add sweet and spicy flavor and crunchy texture to the salad. And they're super easy to make in just 5 minutes! Get the recipe here -->> brown sugar candied walnuts. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 303kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 6gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 159mgPotassium: 350mgFiber: 3gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 3485IUVitamin C: 57mgCalcium: 82mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    « No Bake Strawberry Pie with Jello
    Brown Sugar Candied Walnuts »
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    Hi, I'm Cara!

    I love sharing easy, delicious everyday recipes from the heartland.

    Whether you're looking for a fast and easy dinner recipe, something yummy for a potluck or holiday gathering, or just a little inspiration, I hope you'll find something you love here.

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