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Ready in just 15 minutes, this Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad is bursting with juicy strawberries, creamy goat cheese, and topped with a homemade sweet basil vinaigrette you’ll want to drizzle on everything.
If there’s one salad I can count on for making people rethink their “I don’t really like salad” stance, it’s this one. The contrast of tangy goat cheese and sweet strawberries is magic. Add toasted nuts and this dreamy homemade basil dressing, and suddenly you’ve got a salad people will actually talk about. This salad shines during peak strawberry season when the berries are at their sweetest, but it’s a delicious option all year long.
This is a vinaigrette my mom has made for years, and it’s still one of my all-time favorites. Every summer, when our basil plants are thriving, we love to whip up this dressing using fresh basil leaves, avocado oil, and apple cider vinegar. This easy homemade vinaigrette lives in our fridge all season long—perfect for tossing with leafy greens, spooning over grain bowls, or drizzling on caprese salads. Stored in a mason jar, it lasts for days and adds that pop of green goodness to anything it touches.
Now drizzle this homemade sweet basil vinaigrette over the juicy strawberries and creamy goat cheese, and you’ve got a match made in salad heaven. It’s one of my favorite salad recipes to bring to a summer potluck or serve as a light lunch when I want something fresh but still a little fancy. It comes together quickly with simple ingredients, and it looks just as good as it tastes.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad
- Ingredient You’ll Need
- How to Make Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad
- Expert Tips and Substitutions
- Storing and Making Ahead
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Sweet Basil Vinaigrette—So Good, You’ll Use It on Everything
- More Easy Salad Recipes
- Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad with Sweet Basil Vinaigrette Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad
- Perfect balance of flavors: Sweet strawberries, tangy goat cheese, crunchy nuts, and fresh basil vinaigrette hit every note.
- Ready in 15 minutes: No cooking required—just a little chopping and shaking.
- Great side salad or full meal: Add grilled chicken breast or salmon to turn it into a hearty main dish.
- Fresh ingredients: Make the most of juicy strawberries, leafy greens, and fragrant herbs.
- Make-ahead friendly: Prep the dressing and toast the nuts ahead of time for even faster assembly.
- Made with homemade basil vinaigrette: A quick shake in a mason jar is all it takes to blend avocado oil, apple cider vinegar, and fresh basil into a flavorful dressing.
Ingredient You’ll Need
Mixed Salad Greens – A blend of baby spinach, arugula, and butter lettuce gives a mix of textures and flavors. Spring mix or baby greens work great too.
Fresh Strawberries – Slice them just before serving to keep them juicy. This is the best way to enjoy strawberries when they’re in season.
Goat Cheese Crumbles – Goat cheese adds tangy, creamy richness. Plain goat cheese is classic, but honey goat cheese is a fun twist.
Toasted Nuts – Slivered almonds or crunchy walnuts add texture and a toasty flavor. You can even use candied pecans if you’re feeling fancy.
Sweet Basil Vinaigrette – A mason jar dressing made with fresh basil, avocado oil, apple cider vinegar, garlic, and a touch of sugar. It’s herby, tangy, and lightly sweet.
How to Make Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad
1. Make the Dressing
In a mason jar or small jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine avocado oil, fresh chopped basil, apple cider vinegar, sugar, minced garlic, kosher salt, and pepper. Shake it up for a quick, flavorful vinaigrette that tastes amazing.
You can also use an immersion blender or small food processor to blend the ingredients into a smooth, creamy dressing—either method works and tastes great.
2. Toast the Almonds
Place the almonds or walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat. Stir often until golden and fragrant—this usually takes 2 to 4 minutes. Let them cool completely before adding to the salad for maximum crunch and flavor.
3. Prep the Greens
Start by rinsing and drying your salad greens well—use a salad spinner if you have one to avoid sogginess. Place the greens in a large salad bowl.
4. Add the Toppings
Slice the strawberries and sprinkle them over the greens. Crumble goat cheese evenly over the top. Add the cooled toasted almonds or walnuts.
5. Serve It Up
Drizzle the basil vinaigrette over the salad or serve it on the side. Finish with a few grinds of black pepper. You can serve this as a main dish or alongside grilled chicken or fish for a more complete meal.
Expert Tips and Substitutions
- No goat cheese? Swap in crumbled feta cheese, gorganzola, or blue cheese for a different twist.
- Nut-free version: Try sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for crunch without the nuts.
- No apple cider vinegar? Try using white wine vinegar, red wine vinegar, or even champagne vinegar for a similar tangy flavor. Each one adds its own unique twist to the vinaigrette.
- Sweetener swap: You can use touch of honey or maple syrup in place of sugar in the vinaigrette.
- Make it a full meal: Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or even avocado slices for extra protein and creaminess.
Storing and Making Ahead
- Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day. Add dressing just before eating to prevent sogginess.
- Sweet Basil Vinaigrette keeps in the fridge for up to 5 days in a mason jar. Shake well before using.
- Prep ahead tips: Toast the nuts and make the dressing in advance. You can also pre-wash your greens and store in a salad spinner.
- Freeze dressing in cubes: Pour extra basil vinaigrette into ice cube trays and freeze. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. Thaw individual cubes as needed for a quick way to dress salads, drizzle over veggies, or toss with pasta.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of cheese?
Yes! Feta, gorganzola, blue cheese, or creamy burrata are all great alternatives to goat cheese.
What greens work best for this salad?
Spring mix, baby spinach, arugula, or butter lettuce are all great choices. A mix of leafy greens gives the best texture.
Can I make the vinaigrette in advance?
Absolutely. Store it in a mason jar or airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Just shake it up before each use.
What protein can I add to this salad? Grilled chicken breast, salmon, or shrimp are all great options to turn this salad into a full meal. You can also try sliced steak, crispy chickpeas, or roasted tofu for a vegetarian twist. All of these pair beautifully with the sweet basil vinaigrette and the creamy goat cheese.
Sweet Basil Vinaigrette—So Good, You’ll Use It on Everything
This sweet basil vinaigrette adds a burst of herby, tangy flavor to so many dishes beyond salad. Drizzle it over grilled vegetables, toss it into pasta salad, or use it as a marinade for chicken breast or roasted veggies. It’s perfect with cherry tomatoes and fresh mozzarella for a quick caprese salad, or spooned over green beans, quinoa, or grain bowls for a pop of bright flavor.
You can also freeze leftover basil vinaigrette in ice cube trays for easy single-serve portions. Just pop one out and thaw for a quick drizzle on grain bowls, salads, or roasted veggies anytime.
More Easy Salad Recipes
If you loved this Strawberry and Goat Cheese Salad, here are a few more easy favorites you might enjoy:
- Tomato and Corn Salad with Basil and Feta
- Strawberry Spinach Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Watermelon Fruit Salad
- Broccoli Crunch Salad
- Thai Cucumber Salad
Tried this Strawberry and Goat Cheese Salad with Sweet Basil Vinaigrette? Leave a quick review—tell us how your salad turned out!
Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad with Sweet Basil Vinaigrette
Ingredients
Salad
- 7 cups mixed salad greens, lightly packed
- 1 8oz pint fresh strawberries, sliced
- 4 ounces crumbled goat cheese
- ½ cup slivered almonds or walnuts, toasted
- 1 recipe Sweet Basil Vinaigrette, below
- Fresh black pepper, for garnish
Sweet Basil Vinaigrette
- 1 cup avocado oil
- ¾ cup fresh basil, chopped
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- In a mason jar, add all vinaigrette ingredients. Shake well until emulsified. Optional: You can also blend the ingredients using an immersion blender or small food processor for a smoother, creamier texture.
- Place almonds or walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat. Stir frequently until golden brown and fragrant, about 2–4 minutes. Let cool before adding to the salad.
- Wash and dry salad greens, then add to a large bowl. Top with sliced strawberries, goat cheese, and toasted nuts.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad or serve on the side. Garnish with freshly cracked black pepper.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 1 day.
- Dressing can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Add grilled chicken, salmon, shrimp, or even roasted tofu for a heartier meal. Crispy chickpeas and sliced steak also make delicious protein-packed additions.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
