Strawberry Goat Cheese Walnut Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

Fresh strawberries are simply the best during the summer months.

Every June, I go strawberry picking at a local farm and bring home pounds of ripe, juicy strawberries. I love using them to make recipes such as chocolate-covered strawberries and strawberry apple jam.

But strawberries aren't just for desserts and sweet treats - they're also fantastic in salads. This easy strawberry goat cheese walnut salad is one of my favorite ways to use in-season strawberries.

This salad features fresh strawberries, creamy goat cheese, crunchy walnuts, and crisp baby spinach, all tossed in homemade balsamic vinaigrette. It's a perfect balance of flavors and textures for a warm summer day.

Today, I’m walking you through how to make this strawberry salad with spinach, including which ingredients to use, tips for success, and delicious ways to turn this easy summer salad into a complete meal.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Fresh Summer Flavors- Juicy strawberries, baby spinach, creamy goat cheese, and homemade balsamic vinaigrette create a flavor-packed summer salad.
• Healthy- This strawberry goat cheese salad is a delicious and easy way to enjoy fresh fruit and vegetables.
• Ready in 10 Minutes- Even with the homemade dressing, you can have this spinach strawberry salad ready in just 10 minutes.
• Versatile- Serve as-is for a light lunch or side dish, or pair with your favorite protein, whole grain, or legume to make it a meal.
• Homemade Dressing- Creamy, tangy, and sweet, the homemade balsamic vinaigrette dressing sets this strawberry walnut goat cheese salad apart.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here are some notes on key ingredients. For a full list of ingredients, check out the recipe card below.

• Baby Spinach- Spinach and strawberries are the perfect pairing in this easy summer salad recipe. You can use other leafy greens like arugula, mixed greens, or romaine lettuce if preferred.
• Strawberries- Use ripe, in-season strawberries for the best flavor. Other berries such as raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries can be used as alternatives.
• Goat Cheese- Crumbled goat cheese adds a creamy texture and tangy flavor that pairs well with the other salad ingredients. Swap goat cheese for feta cheese or blue cheese if preferred.
• Walnuts- Walnuts provide a crunchy texture and nutty flavor to the salad. Try toasting them to enhance their flavor. Pecans, almonds, or sunflower seeds can also be used.
• Red Onion- Diced red onion adds a sharp, slightly spicy flavor and a pop of color to the salad. If you prefer a milder onion flavor, you can use thinly sliced shallots or green onions instead.
• Balsamic Vinaigrette- You can make your own using the recipe provided, or simply use bottled dressing. This strawberry balsamic vinaigrette dressing also pairs perfectly with this spinach and strawberry salad with goat cheese.

🌱 Sustainability Tip: Spinach and strawberries are fun and easy to grow at home. Give it a try for a fresher-tasting salad that's good for you and the environment.

Variations

• Dressing- Change up the dressing with this strawberry balsamic vinaigrette, basil balsamic vinaigrette, or red wine vinaigrette.
• Protein- Grilled chicken, pan-seared chicken breast, steak tips, pesto salmon, or grilled shrimp can turn this salad into a filling meal.
• Bacon- Sprinkle crumbed bacon over the top for a salty addition.
• Whole Grains- Add quinoa, wild rice, or cooked farro for a hearty vegetarian option.
• Nuts & Seeds- Swap the walnuts for pistachios, pine nuts, sunflower seeds, pecans, or almonds. You can also add toasted or candied walnuts for a different flavor.
• Additional Toppings- Add croutons, diced avocado, mixed berries, sliced apples or pear, or sautéed asparagus.

How to Make Strawberry Goat Cheese Walnut Salad

Here is how to make a strawberry salad with spinach, goat cheese, and walnuts.

Step 1: Prepare the balsamic vinaigrette. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, dijon mustard, honey, grated garlic, kosher salt, and black pepper. While whisking continuously, slowly pour in the olive oil until the mixture is well combined and emulsified. Set aside.

Step 2: Dress the spinach. Place the baby spinach in a large mixing bowl or salad bowl. Pour the prepared balsamic vinaigrette over the spinach and toss until the spinach is evenly coated.

Step 3: Add toppings. Top the dressed spinach with sliced strawberries, crumbled goat cheese, chopped walnuts, and diced red onion. Serve immediately and enjoy!

What to Serve with Strawberry Spinach Salad

This strawberry salad with goat cheese is my spring and summer favorite, especially for holidays like Easter or Memorial Day. It's versatile and pairs perfectly with a variety of main dishes and sides.

For Easter dinner or brunch, consider serving it alongside lemon-roasted chicken, roasted carrots and asparagus, sourdough dinner rolls, frittata, scrambled eggs, or bacon.

For a light summer dinner, grilled chicken, steak, shrimp, pesto salmon, or parmesan-crusted halibut all pair beautifully with this strawberry walnut salad. Don't forget to include some bread options like sourdough garlic knots, breadsticks, sourdough bread, garlic bread, or pita bread to complete the meal.

How to Store

If the salad is already dressed, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. After about a day, the spinach becomes too wilted to be enjoyable.

For an undressed salad, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 2-3 days. Keep the spinach, strawberries, goat cheese, walnuts, and red onion separate to maintain their textures.

Store leftover balsamic vinaigrette dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Before using the vinaigrette, let it come to room temperature briefly and give it a good shake to re-emulsify any separated ingredients.

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