This strawberry walnut salad is the perfect summer salad recipe. The sweetness of the strawberries pairs perfectly with the nuttiness of the walnuts, creating a flavor combination that's hard to resist. The vinaigrette dressing adds a tangy, slightly sweet flavor that ties all the ingredients together. Plus, this salad is loaded with antioxidants, healthy fats, and fiber, making it a nutritious option that won't leave you feeling hungry.
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While you may not typically think of using fruit in salads, trust me when I say that they can be game changer salad ingredient! You only have to try my Cheesecake Factory Wellness salad, which is made with roasted pears and blueberries to verify what a worthy salad ingredient fruit can be. In this salad, we'll be using strawberries.
While they're in season, strawberries are at the peak of their sweetness and juiciness. Their natural sweetness makes them the perfect complement to savory ingredients like nuts and greens, creating a unique and balanced flavor profile. Plus, using strawberries in a salad adds a pop of color that makes this salad the perfect centerpiece for a summer lunch.
TOP TIP: You might enjoy checking out these 53 Luscious Vegan Salad Recipes.
๐งกReasons You'll Love This Recipe
๐งกIt's packed with nutrients! Spinach, strawberries, and walnuts are all nutrient-dense foods that are rich in vitamins.
๐งกStrawberry walnut salad is filling. The combination of protein-rich walnuts and fiber-rich spinach makes this salad a filling and satisfying meal that will keep you feeling full for longer.
๐งกIt's a gorgeous, showstopper salad recipe that's great for parties and special occasions.
๐งกThe sweetness of the strawberries, the nutty crunch of the walnuts and the tangy balsamic poppy seed dressing make for a delicious flavor combination.
๐งกThis salad is simple to prepare, making it a great option for quick and healthy lunch.
๐Ingredients & Substitutions
- Strawberries: I recommend buying fresh strawberries. Frozen strawberries don't work in this salad
- Spinach: I recommend baby leaf spinach. Baby spinach leaves are more tender and delicate than mature spinach leaves, making them easier to chew and digest.
- Cucumber: English, Persian or Kirby cucumbers will do the trick in this strawberry walnut salad. They key thing is that you slice the cucumber into thin slices.
- Red Onions: Red onions are slightly milder than yellow onions. They're gorgeous color also contributes to the beauty of this salad.
- Walnuts: You can use walnut halves or walnut pieces. Whole walnuts will nee to be broken up a bit before toasting. I have also made this salad with candied pecans, and it was delicious!
- Olive Oil: Be sure to use extra virgin olive oil. The dressing is a key part of the overall flavor of this salad.
- Balsamic Vinegar & Dijon: I recommend not swapping the balsamic vinegar for another kind of vinegar (like red wine).
- Maple Syrup: You'll need the maple syrup to balance out the acidity of the vinegar. Taste and adjust according to your preferences.
- Poppy Seeds: These are optional, but I think they add a lovely crunch and a beautiful element of color.
๐ฅHow To Make Strawberry Walnut Salad
- Step 1 - Prepare Your Onions: Slice your red onion as thin as you can. Transfer the onion slices to a small bowl and fill the bowl with cold water, submerging the onion. This will remove its harsh taste. Set aside.
- Step 2 - Dry Fry The Walnuts: In a dry skillet place your walnuts in a single layer. Heat the skillet over medium low heat. Continuously moving the nuts around with a spatula, toast them until they're golden brown and they begin to release their fragrance (4-5 minutes).
Make The Balsamic Poppy Seed Vinaigrette
- Step 3 - Make The Dressing: Prepare the dressing by whisking all the ingredients together in a jar.
- Step 4 - Assemble The Salad: Layer the salad ingredients on your platter, or simply toss them together in a large bowl. Sprinkle with toasted walnuts and feta cheese. Drizzle dressing over the top and serve.
๐ฝ๏ธMakes A Perfect Complement To:
โ Grilled, air fried or roasted veggies like bell peppers, zucchini, and eggplant are a great complement to the sweetness of the strawberries and nuttiness of the walnuts in the salad.
โ Serve with a side of zucchini fritters.
โ Strawberry walnut salad is the perfect salad to with serve a cold soup like gazpacho, chilled cucumber soup or Lithuanian pink soup.
โ A side of flatbread like my Turkish flatbread would round this recipe out well.
โ๏ธStorage Instructions
I recommend eating this salad fresh. However, if you want to make it ahead, store the dressing separately and dress the salad when you're serving it.
๐Frequently Asked Questions
I don't recommended freezing salad. The freezing process damages the texture and flavor of the ingredients, making them less palatable. The high water content in salad ingredients like lettuce and cucumbers can also cause them to become mushy when frozen and then thawed.
However, some salad ingredients can be frozen separately and used in other dishes. For example, cooked beans or grains like quinoa or rice can be frozen and added to salads later on. You can also freeze salad dressings in an airtight container, but they may need to be whisked or blended again after thawing to restore their texture.
Traditional balsamic vinaigrette is made with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and seasonings like garlic, mustard, and herbs. These ingredients are all vegan-friendly. However, some store-bought or restaurant-made balsamic vinaigrette dressings may contain non-vegan ingredients such as honey, dairy products, or anchovies, so it's important to check the label or ask the server to ensure that it's vegan.
Balsamic vinegar itself is gluten-free as it's made from grapes and doesn't traditionally contain any gluten. However, some balsamic vinaigrette dressings may contain gluten if they have additional ingredients that contain gluten, such as soy sauce, malt vinegar, or wheat-based thickeners. It's important to check the label for any gluten-containing ingredients.
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๐ Recipe
Strawberry Walnut Salad
Ingredients
- ยฝ red onion red onion thinly sliced
- ยฝ cup walnuts
- 8 cups baby spinach
- 1ยฝ cups strawberries
- 1 cup cucumber thinly sliced
- ยผ cup vegan feta
Balsamic Poppyseed Dressing
- ยผ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1ยฝ tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
- ยผ teaspoon salt
- pinch ground black pepper
Instructions
- Slice the red onion as thin as you can. Transfer it to a small bowl and fill the bowl with cold water, submerging the onion. This will remove its harsh taste. Set aside.
- In a dry skillet place the walnuts in a single layer. Heat the skillet over medium low heat. Continuously moving the nuts around with a spatula, toast them until they begin to release their fragrance (4-5 minutes).
- Prepare the dressing by whisking all the ingredients together in a jar.
- Layer the salad ingredients on your platter, or simply mix them together in a salad bowl. Sprinkle with toasted walnuts and feta cheese. Drizzle dressing over the top and serve.
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