Okay, listen up, salad lovers! We’re about to embark on a flavor adventure with this Strawberry Crunch Salad. It’s not just any salad; it’s a symphony of sweet, salty, crunchy, and creamy goodness that’ll have you doing a happy dance. And guess what? It’s ridiculously easy to throw together, perfect for those days when you want something fancy but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Flavor Explosion: Seriously, this salad is a party in your mouth! Sweet strawberries, creamy avocado, tangy goat cheese, and those crunchy sugared almonds? Game changer.
- Easy Peasy: We’re talking minimal effort, maximum impact. You can whip this up in no time, making it perfect for lunch, dinner, or even a picnic.
- Texture Heaven: The combination of crunchy almonds, creamy avocado, and tender greens is just… perfection. You’ll be hooked on the textures alone.
- Fancy, but Fast: Impress your friends and family with this gourmet-style salad without breaking a sweat. It’s like magic!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s gather our superstars for this salad sensation:
- Sliced or Slivered Almonds: We’re going to sugar these up for some serious crunch!
- Sugar: For that sweet, caramelized goodness on our almonds.
- Arugula Greens: Peppery and fresh, the perfect base for our salad.
- Strawberries: Sweet, juicy, and oh-so-delicious.
- Avocado: Creamy, dreamy, and adds a touch of richness.
- Crumbled Goat Cheese: Tangy and melts in your mouth.
- Roasted Salted Pistachios: A little salty crunch to balance the sweetness.
- Champagne Vinegar: For a light, bubbly vinaigrette.
- Lemon Juice: Adds a bright, zesty kick.
- Honey: Sweetens our vinaigrette perfectly.
- Dijon Mustard: A little tang and emulsifier for our dressing.
- Garlic Clove: Because everything is better with garlic.
- Kosher Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning.
- Olive Oil: The base of our vinaigrette, smooth and flavorful.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Variations
Want to mix things up? Here are some fun twists:
- Berry Bonanza: Add other berries like blueberries or raspberries for extra sweetness.
- Nutty Alternatives: Use pecans or walnuts instead of almonds.
- Cheese Swap: If goat cheese isn’t your thing, try feta or mozzarella.
- Greens Galore: Mix in some spinach or mixed greens for variety.
How to Make Strawberry Crunch Salad
Step 1: Sugar Those Almonds!
Place the almonds in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Stir in the sugar and cook, stirring often, until the sugar melts and caramelizes, coating all the almonds – about 6 to 8 minutes. Don’t wander off, these can burn quickly! Transfer the almonds to parchment paper to cool. Break them up if they clump together.
Step 2: Toss the Greens!
Toss the arugula with a pinch of salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add the strawberries, avocado, goat cheese, pistachios, and sugared almonds.
Step 3: Drizzle and Serve!
Drizzle the champagne vinaigrette over the salad and toss well. Serve immediately!
Step 4: Champagne Vinaigrette
Combine the vinegar, honey, lemon juice, dijon, garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl and whisk. Stream in the olive oil while whisking until the dressing comes together. Store in the fridge for up to a week.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Keep an Eye on the Almonds: They can burn quickly, so stay vigilant!
- Dress Right Before Serving: This keeps the greens from getting soggy.
- Use Ripe Avocado: A ripe avocado adds the perfect creamy texture.
- If you do not have champagne vinegar, white wine vinegar is a good substitute.
How to Serve Strawberry Crunch Salad
This salad is versatile!
- Lunchtime Star: Perfect for a light and refreshing lunch.
- Dinner Sidekick: Pairs beautifully with grilled chicken or fish.
- Picnic Perfection: Easy to transport and a crowd-pleaser.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store the dressing and salad ingredients separately in the fridge. Toss just before serving.
Make Ahead
You can make the sugared almonds and vinaigrette ahead of time. Store them separately in airtight containers.
Reheating
This salad is best served fresh, no reheating needed!
FAQs
1. Can I use frozen strawberries?
Fresh strawberries are best for this salad, but if you must use frozen, thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid.
2. How do I prevent the avocado from browning?
Toss the avocado with a little lemon juice to prevent browning.
3. Can I make this salad vegan?
Absolutely! Skip the goat cheese or use a vegan alternative. Use maple syrup instead of honey in the dressing.
4. Can I add protein?
Yes, grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas would be delicious additions.
Go ahead, give this Strawberry Crunch Salad a try! It’s a flavor-packed, easy-to-make masterpiece that’s sure to become a new favorite. Enjoy!
Print
Strawberry Crunch Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Strawberry Crunch Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish that perfectly balances sweet, savory, and crunchy elements. Tender arugula is tossed with juicy strawberries, creamy avocado, tangy goat cheese, and crunchy pistachios, all topped with caramelized almonds for a delightful “crunch.” A homemade champagne vinaigrette adds a bright and tangy finish, making this salad ideal for a light lunch, brunch, or a summer gathering.
Ingredients
Salad:
- 2/3 cup sliced or slivered almonds
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 10 ounces arugula greens
- 8 ounces strawberries, hulled and quartered or chopped
- 1 avocado, chopped
- 2 ounces crumbled goat cheese
- 1/3 cup roasted salted pistachios, chopped
Champagne Vinaigrette:
- 3 tablespoons champagne vinegar
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, freshly grated
- Pinch kosher salt and pepper
- 1/2 cup olive oil
Instructions
Caramelized Almonds:
- Caramelize Almonds:
- Place the almonds in a nonstick skillet over medium heat.
- Stir in the sugar and cook, stirring often, until the sugar melts and caramelizes, coating all of the almonds (about 6 to 8 minutes).
- Do not leave unattended as they can burn quickly.
- Transfer the almonds to a piece of parchment paper to cool.
- Break them into pieces if they clump together.
Champagne Vinaigrette:
- Combine Ingredients:
- Combine champagne vinegar, honey, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, grated garlic, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
- Whisk together.
- Add Olive Oil:
- Stream in the olive oil while constantly whisking until the dressing emulsifies.
- Store:
- Store in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Assemble Salad:
- Prepare Arugula:
- Toss the arugula with a pinch of salt and pepper in a large bowl.
- Add Salad Ingredients:
- Add the strawberries, chopped avocado, crumbled goat cheese, chopped pistachios, and caramelized almonds to the arugula.
- Dress and Serve:
- Drizzle the champagne vinaigrette over the salad.
- Toss well.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Watch the almonds carefully while caramelizing to prevent burning.
- Use ripe but firm strawberries for the best texture.
- Adjust the amount of honey in the vinaigrette to your sweetness preference.
- For a variation, try using different nuts, such as pecans or walnuts.
- If you don’t have champagne vinegar, white wine vinegar can be used as a substitute.
- For a vegan version, omit the goat cheese or substitute with a vegan alternative.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 450kcal
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 30g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
