Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad is an excellent combination of sweet and savory. The sweetness from the strawberries and the delicious flavors of goat cheese and spinach are perfect together. And not only is the flavor combination outstanding, but you will also get a ton of nutrients! Delicious and nutritious, my favorite!

strawberry spinach salad with goat cheese and walnuts in a white bowl.

And Strawberry Goat Cheese Walnut Salad is not only healthy and tasty, but it is a perfect summer salad to eat for lunch or have at a picnic or backyard party.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Red onion – I love the color and taste of red onion in salads! It pairs so perfectly with the spinach and vinaigrette.
Baby spinach – The vibrant green of baby spinach with red strawberries is appealing.
Strawberries – Slightly tart and sweet, fresh strawberries are a great addition to a salad.
Goat cheese – Using fresh, soft goat cheese sold in logs instead of crumbled goat cheese is better because it is creamier!
Chopped walnuts – add some crunch and protein to this strawberry goat cheese salad.
Balsamic vinaigrette – this simple homemade balsamic vinaigrette has tons of flavor from the extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup or honey, and Dijon mustard.

ingredients baby spinach, maple syrup, chopped walnuts, red onion, balsamic vinegar, strawberries, goat cheese, Dijon mustard, olive oil.

Feel free to substitute other greens such as baby kale or arugula instead of spinach if that’s what you prefer. And instead of goat cheese, try feta cheese. It has a more pungent taste than goat cheese but will also go well in this recipe.

Another great substitution is swapping the walnuts for another nut, such as pecans or almonds.

To make this recipe dairy free, you can leave out the goat cheese.

Step-by-Step Instructions

First step: Add the spinach, red onions, strawberries, goat cheese, and walnuts to a large salad bowl, then toss the ingredients together.

ingredients spinach, red onions, strawberries, goat cheese, and chopped walnuts in separate white bowls.

Second step: Add the extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup or honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to a small bowl or mason jar. Stir with a whisk, or put the lid on the mason jar and shake well.

balsamic vinaigrette in a mason jar. — shake the balsamic vinaigrette in a jar

Third step: Then drizzle the desired amount of balsamic vinaigrette on the salad. This recipe does make a little extra dressing, so feel free to save any extra vinaigrette for another salad. Toss vinaigrette and salad together and serve!

goat cheese on top of strawberries, spinach, and walnuts.

Common Questions

What is a good substitute for goat cheese?

The best substitute for goat cheese in a salad is feta cheese. Feta cheese sold in blocks will have a similar consistency to soft goat cheese sold in logs. While feta cheese has a more robust, saltier taste than goat cheese, they are more alike than any other type of cheese.

What goes well with strawberry goat cheese salad?

While this salad is perfect for eating on its own, feel free to add grilled chicken breast for extra protein. Or serve it with some crusty French bread. With the bread, you can soak up the extra vinaigrette at the bottom of your bowl. Another possibility is adding whole grains like quinoa or penne pasta to round out this salad to a filling meal.

Nutritional Benefits

Spinach

An excellent nutrient-dense food, spinach is rich in fiber, folate, and vitamins A, C, and K. There are also plenty of minerals like iron and potassium. And spinach is also low in calories and has low carbs, with 1 cup of spinach providing seven calories and 1 gram of carbohydrates.

Strawberries

Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C, manganese, folate, and potassium. In addition, strawberries contain antioxidants such as polyphenols that have numerous health benefits like fighting bacteria and lowering cancer risk.

Goat cheese

One significant health benefit from goat cheese is improved digestion and gut health. Goat milk is easier on digestion because it only has the A2 beta-casein protein, while cow’s milk has both A2 and A1. And goat cheese has healthy bacteria or probiotics. Probiotics promote a healthy immune system and digestion.

Walnuts

And last but certainly not least are walnuts. Walnuts are tree nuts and are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are a healthy fat, and walnuts are the only nuts that contain a significant amount. So, if you want to add more omega-3 fatty acids to your diet, walnuts are a great plant source to eat regularly.

Storage Instructions

If you want to make this Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad in advance, prep all the vegetables and strawberries and keep them in a separate container. Prepare the balsamic vinaigrette and keep it in an airtight container. Add the vinaigrette immediately before serving to prevent the salad from becoming soggy and wilted.
Store any leftover, undressed salad in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Also, save the leftover vinaigrette in an airtight container, such as a mason jar, for up to 5 days. Be sure to shake or stir the dressing since the ingredients will separate.

Take pictures of your Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad masterpiece and tag @noshnourishwander on Instagram if you make this recipe!

Also, pin this recipe to your Pinterest board! And be sure to leave a rating and comments about the recipe! Thank you!

strawberry goat cheese salad with walnuts in a bowl.

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