Description
A fresh and vibrant spring salad featuring mixed greens, sweet strawberries, crisp cucumber, tangy goat cheese, and crunchy toasted pecans, all tossed in a flavorful balsamic vinaigrette. Perfect for a light lunch or a side dish, this salad is quick to prepare and packed with delicious textures and flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 4 cups mixed greens (baby spinach or arugula)
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1 medium cucumber, diced
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup goat cheese, crumbled
- ¼ cup pecan halves, toasted
Dressing
- ¼ cup balsamic vinaigrette
Instructions
- Prep the greens: Rinse mixed greens under cold water thoroughly and dry them using a salad spinner to remove excess moisture, ensuring the salad is crisp.
- Crumble goat cheese: Break the goat cheese into small, bite-sized pieces for even distribution throughout the salad.
- Prepare strawberries: Hull the strawberries and slice them thinly for a sweet and fresh burst of flavor.
- Dice cucumber: Cut the cucumber into half-moon shapes to add crunch and a refreshing texture.
- Soften red onion: Soak the thinly sliced red onion in cold water for about 10 minutes to mellow its sharpness and reduce bite.
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, gently toss together the mixed greens, sliced strawberries, diced cucumber, softened red onions, crumbled goat cheese, and toasted pecans to create a balanced mix of flavors and textures.
- Add dressing: Just before serving, drizzle the balsamic vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently once more to coat everything evenly without wilting the greens.
Notes
- For a nut-free version, omit pecans or substitute with seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor and sweetness.
- Toast pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant, stirring often to avoid burning.
- To make the salad vegan, substitute goat cheese with a plant-based cheese alternative.
- The soaking step for onions helps reduce sharpness and makes the flavor milder and more pleasant for salads.
