Strawberry Balsamic Salad with Goat Cheese and Arugula

My favorite Strawberry Salad made with leafy greens, fresh strawberries, candied walnuts, and creamy goat cheese all tossed with a rich and tangy maple balsamic dressing!

I love a bright, flavorful salad, and this Strawberry Balsamic Salad is one of my go-to recipes for spring and summer — and it works beautifully in fall too when you want a touch of maple warmth. Juicy strawberries and tangy balsamic come together with crisp mixed greens, crunchy candied walnuts, and creamy goat cheese. A maple balsamic dressing ties everything together with a sweet-tangy finish. It’s fast to assemble, easy to customize, and an excellent choice for lunches, weeknight dinners, potlucks, or a light side dish.

Why You’ll Love this Salad

• Sweet strawberries and rich maple-balsamic dressing create a balanced sweet-and-sour flavor that’s fresh and memorable.
• Quick to prepare and easy to assemble from prepped ingredients.
• The maple balsamic herb dressing is versatile — it works on greens, roasted vegetables, grilled proteins, and grain bowls.
• Highly customizable: swap greens, cheeses, nuts, or fruit to suit your tastes or dietary needs.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Mixed greens – a blend of arugula and baby spinach works well, but use your preferred leafy greens.
• Strawberries – ripe and sliced; raspberries, blueberries, or chopped apples or pears are good alternatives.
• Crumbled cheese – goat cheese is my pick for creaminess and tang; feta, gorgonzola, or blue cheese can be used. For a vegan option, omit or use a vegan cheese substitute.
• Candied maple walnuts – add crunch and maple flavor; chopped pecans, almonds, or cashews are fine substitutes.
• Maple balsamic herb dressing – made from balsamic vinegar, olive oil, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and herbs; this dressing defines the salad’s flavor.
• Cracked black pepper – to taste.

Maple Balsamic Dressing (the BEST!)

The maple balsamic dressing is the star here. It’s rich, tangy, and slightly sweet, and you can make it in minutes. Typical ingredients include balsamic vinegar, olive oil, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and fresh or dried herbs. Whisk the ingredients together or blend them briefly for a smooth, emulsified dressing. Store the dressing in a sealed jar in the refrigerator; bring it to room temperature and shake before serving so the oil re-liquefies and the flavors marry.

Can this Salad be Prepped in Advance?

Yes. To keep everything fresh and crisp, store components separately until you’re ready to assemble:

• Slice and refrigerate strawberries in an airtight container.
• Make the candied walnuts ahead of time and cool completely before storing to preserve their crunch.
• Prepare the maple balsamic dressing and refrigerate in a sealed jar. Let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes and shake well before using.
• Keep greens dry and refrigerated; assemble the salad just before serving to avoid wilting.

Customize this Strawberry Salad!

• Not keen on balsamic? Try a poppy seed or lemon-dijon herb dressing for a different flavor profile.
• Swap arugula for baby spinach for a milder green base.
• Make it vegan by removing the goat cheese or substituting a plant-based alternative.
• Try other fruits such as raspberries, blueberries, or chopped apples and pears.
• Add cooked grains like quinoa, brown rice, or farro to make the salad more filling.
• Add avocado, thinly sliced red onion, cucumber, or shredded chicken for extra texture and protein.

More Salad Recipes You’ll Love

• Healthy Greek Salad
• Chinese Chicken Salad
• My Favorite Detox Salad
• Fall Salad with Maple Tahini Dressing
• Roasted Sweet Potato, Quinoa and Kale Salad

If you make this Strawberry Balsamic Salad and love it, please leave a rating and share your photo on social media with the hashtag #eatyourselfskinny — I always enjoy seeing your recreations!