Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad with Spinach and Walnuts

Entree salads are one of our favorite light and healthy summer recipes, especially during hot and lazy days! Recipes with strawberries are so good for the summertime!

This recipe for strawberry goat cheese salad with spinach is bursting with freshness thanks to fresh strawberries and nutritious spinach.

When strawberries are in season in late spring and early summer when the weather is warm, this strawberry and goat cheese salad is a refreshing and healthy option for a light lunch or dinner.

Adding strawberries to salad is so good! If you love this salad, try our spinach quinoa salad or watermelon salad with basil!

Love strawberries in salads and other recipes? After making this recipe, try out these strawberry yogurt muffins or make some strawberry puree for smoothies!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Quick and easy to make.
• No need to use the oven during hot summer days.
• Delicious flavors of sweet and tangy.
• Great for meal prep.
• Impressive for guests at summer parties, BBQs, and potlucks.

Sliced strawberries are a nutritious and delicious fruit, full of antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber.

Goat cheese is a popular cheese made from the milk of goats. Goat cheese has a distinct flavor and is a good source of protein, probiotics, and calcium while being low fat and low calories compared to cow's milk cheese.

Walnuts are a nutritious food containing amounts of protein, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Walnuts provide a crunchy texture that works so well in this spinach and goat cheese salad.

Crisp spinach is a leafy green that makes the base for this salad. Spinach is great for you and provides lots of benefits including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Arugula, baby kale, or even romaine lettuce would also be a great addition to this recipe.

Olive oil and balsamic drizzle provide a sweet and savory dressing that complements the components of this strawberry goat cheese salad so well!

Protein is optional for this recipe, but we love to add cooked chicken or another protein to make it even more filling.

Step 1

Toast walnuts in a skillet on the stove over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes. Move frequently and watch carefully to avoid burning. Once they are toasted and cooled, chop them into bite-sized pieces.

Step 2

Add spinach to a large salad bowl.

Step 3

Add in toasted walnuts and goat cheese.

Step 4

Add in sliced strawberries and chicken if using.

Step 5

Drizzle with balsamic glaze and olive oil. Toss gently and serve.

How do I serve strawberry goat cheese salad?

This salad is a great light and tasty lunch or dinner that is great with or without grilled chicken.

Serve this salad in a large salad bowl with grilled chicken, sautéed shrimp, roasted salmon, or whichever protein you like best.

Opt for no meat and eat this salad as a side dish or a main meal for a delicious plant-based meal option.

Expert Tips

• Meal prep this recipe ahead of time reserving the olive oil and balsamic drizzle right before serving.
• When toasting the walnuts, watch them carefully and move them around the pan quickly so they do not burn.
• Choose bright, fresh, and ripe strawberries. Frozen berries are not recommended.
• Use high-quality goat cheese that is not overly pungent. Goat cheese crumbles work well.
• Add in a squeeze of lemon juice, some sliced red onions, or a bit of fresh ground black pepper for additional flavor depth.

Salad Topping Customization Ideas

• Other types of cheese to use could be feta cheese or blue cheese.
• Use pecans, toasted pine nuts, or sliced almonds in place of walnuts.
• Other berries such as blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries can be used.
• Select other lettuces such as arugula, field greens, or spring mix salad.
• Store-bought poppyseed dressing is a great choice for a pre-made vinaigrette.