One of those easy salad recipes that is almost too good to be true. This Strawberry Arugula Salad will be your new favorite way to enjoy fresh strawberries all summer long.
I love a good summer salad. Whether it’s highlighting seasonal produce, a fun dressing or loading up on the greens, you can’t go wrong with a light salad in the summer months. I crave them after a long midwest winter!
This Strawberry Arugula Salad is so simple to throw together you can barely call it recipe. More-so a collection of ingredients that just so happen to come together in the most perfect way.
There are some people who are vehemently opposed to fruit on salad. I am not one of them. Fruit (berries, in particular) on salad greens make me happy. See: Strawberry Chicken Salad, Strawberry Avocado Salad and Raspberry Beet Salad as a few examples for some of my favorites.
But then to add salty & creamy cheese + some nuts for crunch + a simple homemade dressing? You’ve pretty much just described my perfect salad.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple ingredients and quick to make!
- The perfect side salad that doubles as a meal when you add on some protein.
- Dietary friendly, with a few simple ingredient swaps.
- A simple homemade balsamic vinaigrette with pantry staples.
Salad Ingredients:
- baby arugula – Fresh peppery arugula make for a delicious base. Mixed greens or baby spinach is a fine sub.
- basil – If you don’t have fresh basil or forgot to grab it at the store, it won’t make or break the recipe, but it adds a hint of extra flavor. Basil + strawberries just work.
- strawberries –
- feta cheese – the fresh salty feta pairs well with strawberries. Goat cheese is another good option.
- shallots – a little less pungent than red onion while still offering a punch of flavor.
- pecans – I like the soft, sweet crunch you get from pecans. You could also use my Maple Candied Pecans for more flavor and crunch. Feel free to sub in toasted walnuts, sliced almonds or make it nut-free using sunflower seeds or pepitas.
For the balsamic dressing it’s just a simple mix of: extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, dijon, maple syrup, garlic and salt & pepper.
Find the full detailed instructions with measurements in the recipe card below, at the end of this post.
How to Make Strawberry Arugula Salad
Make the dressing by whisking together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt and pepper in a bowl. You can also use an immersion blender to get it really blended.
Slice the strawberries and gather the rest of your ingredients.
Start to layer in the ingredients. Add the arugula to the bottom of the bowl, add a couple tablespoons of the dressing, diced shallots, as well as about half of the sliced strawberries and feta. Gently toss with some tongs or salad servers, then finish adding the remaining strawberries, finely chopped basil leaves, feta and pecans.
You can leave as is for a pretty presentation, then right before serving, add the dressing and toss again to evenly combine.
Variations and Additions:
This strawberry salad is the perfect base recipe. You can serve it as is or it’s easy to build on this and add some more fresh ingredients to it. You could add:
- More fruit: add blueberries or fresh peaches. Avocado works well too.
- Add meat: salmon, chicken, steak would all be great additions.
- Add grains: quinoa would work well here as it’s light and fluffy and won’t weigh down the arugula.
- Dressing variations: my yogurt poppy seed dressing (from my Strawberry Avocado Salad) is a great option.
Serving Ideas (+ Make it a Meal)
- Add your favorite protein – grilled chicken or my glazed salmon would be a great addition here.
- Serve this salad alongside my Greek Turkey Burgers and Vegetarian Pasta Salad for the perfect summer meal.
- Bring this simple salad to a BBQ and wow your guests with all of the fresh flavor.
Storing & Make Ahead
Storage: Leftover arugula salad can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge up to 1 day. Anything past that and the arugula gets soggy.
To Make Ahead: While you can prep parts of this salad ahead of time, it’s best to make it fresh. To cut back on some of the prep time, slice the strawberries up to 1 day in advance. Make the dressing up to 3 days in advance and whisk well before adding to the salad.
If you make this strawberry arugula salad recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating on the blog! I love hearing from you, and it helps others learn more about the recipe too. Xx Ashley
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Strawberry Arugula Salad
Ingredients
Balsamic Dressing
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic, 1 clove, grated or minced
- 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
- freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Salad
- 5 ounces baby arugula, 1 container
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, sliced
- 4 ounces feta, crumbled
- 2 shallots, diced (or sub red onion)
- 10 basil leaves, thinly sliced and chopped (about 1/4 cup)
- 1 cup pecan halves
Instructions
- Make the dressing: add all ingredients to bowl and whisk together. You can also use an immersion blender to get it really blended.1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 2 teaspoons dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt, freshly cracked black pepper
- Slice the strawberries and gather the rest of your ingredients.5 ounces baby arugula, 1 pound fresh strawberries, 4 ounces feta, 10 basil leaves, 1 cup pecan halves
- Assemble: Start to layer in the ingredients. Add the arugula to the bottom of a large bowl, add a couple tablespoons of the dressing, diced shallots, as well as about half of the sliced strawberries and feta. Gently toss with some tongs or salad servers, then finish adding the remaining strawberries, finely chopped basil leaves, feta and pecans. Drizzle with more dressing and toss just before serving.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use spinach instead of arugula in salad?
Yes, of course. I also have a Strawberry Spinach Salad on my site with another dressing, so be sure to check that one out too.
What dressing goes with strawberry arugula salad?
You can’t go wrong with a classic balsamic vinaigrette, which is what this recipe shares. But a poppy seed dressing is another great option.
Can I substitute feta in a strawberry salad?
Goat cheese will give you a similar flavor, just not as salty. Shaved parmesan could work here too.
How long does arugula salad last in the fridge?
This salad is best enjoyed once it’s made. The longer it sits, the more the arugula softens and strawberries absorb too much dressing. If you do have leftovers, it’s best to enjoy the next day.
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