Spring Dinner Strawberry Arugula Salad (Printer-friendly)

Fresh strawberries, arugula, goat cheese, and balsamic glaze create a vibrant spring dinner salad.

# What You Need:

→ Salad

01 - 6 cups fresh arugula, washed and dried
02 - 2 cups ripe strawberries, hulled and sliced
03 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
04 - 3/4 cup crumbled goat cheese
05 - 1/2 cup toasted pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped
06 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Balsamic Glaze

07 - 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
08 - 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup

→ Dressing

09 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
10 - 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
11 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

# Steps:

01 - In a small saucepan, combine balsamic vinegar and honey or maple syrup. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat and let simmer for 4–5 minutes, or until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and sea salt until well combined.
03 - In a large salad bowl, combine arugula, sliced strawberries, and thinly sliced red onion.
04 - Drizzle the olive oil–lemon dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine, ensuring all leaves are evenly coated.
05 - Add crumbled goat cheese and toasted pecans or walnuts. Toss lightly or arrange toppings neatly for an elegant presentation.
06 - Drizzle the cooled balsamic glaze over the salad just before serving. Finish with freshly ground black pepper to taste.

# Top Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than your guests can take off their coats, yet tastes like you've been in the kitchen all day.
  • The contrast between peppery arugula, sweet strawberries, and creamy goat cheese hits every flavor note your palate craves.
  • You can prep everything ahead and toss it together right before serving, which means you're actually present at your own dinner party.
02 -
  • Never dress the salad more than ten minutes before serving, or the arugula will become sad and limp—this dish demands last-minute assembly.
  • If your balsamic glaze is still warm when you drizzle it, it will wilt the greens slightly; let it cool to room temperature or even chill it briefly for the best result.
03 -
  • If your strawberries aren't quite as sweet as you'd hoped, add an extra half-teaspoon of honey to the balsamic glaze to compensate and tie the flavors together.
  • Chill your salad bowl in the refrigerator for five minutes before assembling—that small act keeps the greens noticeably crisper and fresher-tasting throughout the meal.
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