Spring Strawberry Arugula Salad (Print-Friendly)

Refreshing spring salad with strawberries, arugula, goat cheese, and balsamic glaze for light gatherings.

# What You'll 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

# How To Make It:

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 allow to simmer for 4 to 5 minutes 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 fresh arugula, sliced strawberries, and thinly sliced red onion.
04 - Drizzle the olive oil and lemon dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
05 - Add crumbled goat cheese and toasted pecans or walnuts to the salad. Toss lightly or arrange toppings neatly for elegant presentation.
06 - Drizzle the cooled balsamic glaze over the salad just before serving. Finish with freshly ground black pepper to taste.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in just 20 minutes, perfect for busy spring evenings
  • Naturally vegetarian and gluten-free, accommodating many dietary preferences
  • Combines sweet, savory, tangy, and peppery flavors in every bite
  • Impressive presentation that looks restaurant-quality but requires minimal effort
  • Uses seasonal strawberries at their absolute best
02 -
  • Slice the red onion as thinly as possible and soak in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow the sharpness
  • Don't add the balsamic glaze until just before serving to prevent the greens from wilting
  • Room temperature goat cheese crumbles more easily than cold
  • Reserve a few whole strawberries and pecans for garnishing the top of the salad
  • The balsamic glaze will continue to thicken as it cools, so remove it from heat when it's slightly thinner than your desired consistency
Return