If you love salads that play with texture and flavor, Strawberry Crunch Salad is about to become your new obsession. This show-off salad brings together the peppery bite of arugula, the juicy sweetness of strawberries, rich avocado, tangy goat cheese, and the perfect candied crunch—all tied up with a sunny champagne vinaigrette. It’s as fresh and pretty as a June afternoon, and it absolutely bursts with color, sass, and crunch in every forkful.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s Crunchy Perfection: From caramelized almonds to roasted pistachios, every bite has a delicious bite that’s wildly satisfying.
- Sweet Meets Savory: Juicy strawberries, creamy avocado, and tangy goat cheese come together in the perfect salad symphony.
- Gorgeous and Impressive: With vibrant colors and fresh flavors, this Strawberry Crunch Salad absolutely steals the show on any table.
- Ready in 30 Minutes: Big wow-factor—yet truly easy and fast enough for busy evenings or last-minute company.
Ingredients You’ll Need
There’s something magical about the way a handful of carefully chosen ingredients can create a dish this special. Each component in Strawberry Crunch Salad serves a purpose—bringing a pop of color, a new layer of texture, or a burst of fresh flavor that makes every bite irresistible.
- Sliced or slivered almonds: These get transformed into sweet, golden clusters for that addictive crunch.
- Sugar: The secret to caramelizing the almonds for a toasty, sweet upgrade.
- Arugula greens: Fresh, peppery, and vibrant—the perfect leafy base to balance the other flavors.
- Strawberries: Juicy, ripe, and beautifully red—they bring their trademark sweetness and a stunning look.
- Avocado: Adds rich, creamy contrast and a dose of feel-good healthy fats.
- Crumbled goat cheese: Tangy, creamy, and slightly earthy—this cheese ties all the flavors together.
- Roasted salted pistachios: Extra crunch and a salty, nutty flavor that makes this salad seriously irresistible.
- Champagne vinegar: The star of the homemade vinaigrette—it brings a light, zippy brightness that hugs every ingredient.
- Lemon (juice): Adds even more fresh acidity to the dressing.
- Honey: Sweetens the vinaigrette just enough to balance the tang.
- Dijon mustard: Gives body and a subtle sharpness to the dressing—don’t skip it!
- Fresh garlic: For punch and depth in your vinaigrette.
- Kosher salt and pepper: Brings out all the flavors, both in the salad and the dressing.
- Olive oil: Creates a silky, luxurious vinaigrette that coats every leaf and berry.
Variations
Salads should always feel tailor-made, so let this base recipe for Strawberry Crunch Salad be your inspiration! It’s endlessly flexible—mix things up to fit what you have, your cravings, or any diets at your table.
- Switch up the greens: Not a fan of arugula? Baby spinach, mixed spring greens, or even butter lettuce all work beautifully.
- Try a different cheese: Goat cheese is dreamy, but creamy feta or tangy blue cheese can step in for a whole new vibe.
- Swap the nuts: If you’re nut-free or just want a twist, try sunflower seeds or toasted pepitas for crunch.
- Berries your way: Blueberries, raspberries, or even sliced grapes give a new burst of color and flavor.
- Dressing alternatives: Not into champagne vinaigrette? A balsamic or honey-lime vinaigrette adds a fun spin.
How to Make Strawberry Crunch Salad
Step 1: Candy the Almonds
Start by making the showstopping crunch: Place your sliced or slivered almonds in a nonstick skillet and sprinkle in the sugar. Stir this mixture over medium heat, and keep a close eye—it takes just a few minutes for the sugar to melt and envelop the almonds in glossy, golden caramel. As soon as everything’s toasty and sweet, spread the almonds out on parchment paper to cool. Once set, break apart any clusters for that perfect crunchy topping.
Step 2: Whisk the Champagne Vinaigrette
In a large bowl, combine your champagne vinegar, freshly squeezed lemon juice, honey, Dijon, garlic, salt, and pepper. Give it a good whisk to mix, then slowly stream in the olive oil while whisking constantly so the dressing becomes creamy and emulsified. Set aside—this sunny vinaigrette will make every ingredient sing.
Step 3: Assemble the Salad
Add the arugula to a big serving bowl and toss lightly with a pinch of salt and pepper. Scatter your chopped strawberries, creamy avocado, crumbled goat cheese, roasted pistachios, and—of course—the candied almonds over the greens. Drizzle generously with the champagne vinaigrette, toss just until everything is coated, and serve Strawberry Crunch Salad right away for maximum crunch and color!
Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Crunch Salad
- Watch the Almonds Closely: Don’t look away while caramelizing the almonds—sugar can go from golden to burnt in the blink of an eye!
- Perfect Greens: Make sure your arugula is super fresh and dry (a quick whirl in a salad spinner works magic) for ultimate crunch.
- Juicy Strawberries: Use ripe, fragrant strawberries for true flavor—if they’re a little tart, that’s even better against the sweet candied nuts.
- Dress Right Before Serving: Wait until the last moment to add vinaigrette and toss, so everything stays crisp and bold.
How to Serve Strawberry Crunch Salad
Garnishes
For an extra flourish, sprinkle a few extra candied almonds and some finely chopped pistachios over the top right before serving. A little extra goat cheese crumbled over the salad also looks gorgeous and makes the Strawberry Crunch Salad feel even more special.
Side Dishes
This salad shines on its own, but pairs beautifully alongside grilled chicken, pan-seared salmon, or even a simple quiche for brunch. For a picnic, add a crusty baguette—you’ll want to scoop up every last bit of vinaigrette with it!
Creative Ways to Present
Make mini Strawberry Crunch Salads in individual glasses or jars for parties, or spread the salad artfully on a large platter for family-style serving. Add extra berry slices along the platter borders for a truly eye-catching display.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you anticipate leftovers, store the candied almonds, vinaigrette, and produce elements separately. Once tossed together, Strawberry Crunch Salad is at its peak freshness for just a couple hours—but the components will keep in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezing
This salad is best enjoyed fresh—freezing doesn’t play well with the delicate greens or strawberries. You can, however, freeze extra candied almonds in an airtight bag, then use them later for salads or snacking!
Reheating
Strawberry Crunch Salad is meant to be enjoyed chilled or at room temperature, so no reheating is necessary. Just assemble with fresh greens and crunchy nuts for the best texture every time.
FAQs
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Can I make Strawberry Crunch Salad ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the candied almonds and vinaigrette a day or two in advance, and keep the salad ingredients chopped but separated. Assemble and dress right before serving for the crispiest results.
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What can I use if I don’t have champagne vinegar?
Try white wine vinegar or even apple cider vinegar for a slightly different, but equally delicious, zest in the vinaigrette. Both play well with the strawberries and greens.
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Is there a way to make Strawberry Crunch Salad dairy-free?
Definitely! Simply omit the goat cheese, or swap in a dairy-free cheese or avocado for similar creaminess. The salad will still deliver tons of flavor and crunch.
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Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
Fresh strawberries give the best texture and flavor for this salad. If you must use frozen, thaw and drain them well, but expect a softer bite and juicier salad.
Final Thoughts
Get ready for a salad that’ll have everyone excited to dig in! With its dazzling colors, playful textures, and next-level flavor, Strawberry Crunch Salad is pure joy in a bowl. Don’t be surprised if you catch yourself dreaming about it long after the last bite—this is one recipe you’ll turn to all season long!
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Strawberry Crunch Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Tossing
- Cuisine: Modern
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Strawberry Crunch Salad is a delightful mix of fresh arugula greens, sweet strawberries, creamy avocado, tangy goat cheese, and crunchy almonds and pistachios, all tossed in a homemade champagne vinaigrette.
Ingredients
Salad:
- 2/3 cup sliced or slivered almonds
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 10 ounces arugula greens
- 8 ounces strawberries, hulled and quartered or chopped
- 1 avocado, chopped
- 2 ounces crumbled goat cheese
- 1/3 cup roasted salted pistachios, chopped
Champagne Vinaigrette:
- 3 tablespoons champagne vinegar
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, freshly grated
- pinch kosher salt and pepper
- 1/2 cup olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the Sugared Almonds: In a nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook almonds with sugar until caramelized, about 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to parchment paper to cool.
- Assemble the Salad: Toss arugula with salt and pepper, then add strawberries, avocado, goat cheese, pistachios, and sugared almonds. Drizzle with champagne vinaigrette and toss to combine. Serve immediately.
- Make the Champagne Vinaigrette: In a bowl, whisk together vinegar, lemon juice, honey, dijon, garlic, salt, and pepper. Slowly stream in olive oil while whisking until emulsified. Store in the fridge for up to a week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 7mg
