Description
This Strawberry and Goat Cheese Salad combines vibrant strawberries, creamy goat cheese, and crunchy pecans, all drizzled with a tangy balsamic dressing. Perfect for a quick yet satisfying meal, this salad is a delicious way to enjoy fresh ingredients in just 15 minutes!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, good quality
- 2 tablespoons real maple syrup (increase to 3 for a sweeter dressing)
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil (can substitute with vegetable oil)
- ½ small shallot, finely minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 5-ounce container baby greens (arugula, spinach, spring mix recommended)
- 8 ounces strawberries, hulled and sliced (about 2 cups)
- 4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup pecans
- 3 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
- 1-2 tablespoons water
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Soak the Onions: Fill a bowl with ice water and add sliced red onions. Soak for 10 minutes to reduce sharpness, then drain well.
- Make Candied Pecans: Line a ¼ sheet pan with parchment paper. In a skillet over medium heat, combine brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of water, vanilla extract, salt, and cayenne pepper. Stir until melted and bubbling.
- Add pecans to the mixture, stirring until coated and nutty for 2-3 minutes. If they look dry, add more water, then spread on the sheet pan and cool.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, mix balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, olive oil, minced shallot, and kosher salt. Shake or whisk until combined, then refrigerate.
- If made in advance, let the dressing sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes before using, and shake well before serving.
Notes
Feel free to adjust the sweetness of the dressing by adding more maple syrup.
Let the pecans cool completely before adding to the salad to maintain crunch.
Adding extra greens can enhance the salad’s volume and nutrition.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 10mg