It doesn't feel like an exaggeration to call this the best Strawberry Salad recipe - at least according to my family! Mixed greens, feta cheese and fresh basil, and a light vinaigrette bring it all together. 176 calories and 4 Weight Watchers SP
While this strawberry salad recipe is everything that a salad should be – fresh, tasty, healthy and wholly satisfying – there is one thing it is not. Rocket science.
In fact, this salad was made from a good, old-fashioned rummage through our fridge and pantry. As much as I’d like to take credit for the pairing of sweet salt, tender and crunchy, I have to set aside my cooking ego and admit that the ingredients practically fell on the plate themselves.
The key to a really good salad recipe, particularly when the ingredient list is short, is top-notch ingredients. Sorry to say, but those soft, bruised strawberries at the bottom of the container are not destined for this salad…but they’d be right at home in a smoothie, such as my Easy Berry Banana Smoothie (freeze those soft strawberries first).
And the greens? Ditch the iceberg lettuce and buy the good stuff. Not only will you be rewarded with more flavor, but the vitamin quotient goes up exponentially when you upgrade to dark leafy greens.
What dressing is best for strawberry salad?
There are plenty of dressings that would work well in a strawberry salad, starting with the lemon vinaigrette in this recipe. A simple mixture of fresh lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, honey or agave nectar.
I’ve also made this salad with just a squeeze of lemon juice, rather than a vinaigrette.
Other good options are a homemade balsamic vinaigrette, poppyseed dressing or green goddess dressing.
What’s in a strawberry salad?
Many strawberry salads call for spinach as the base, though other type of greens, such as mixed green (baby spring mix), arugula or chopped romaine work well, too. Try my Kale Strawberry Salad recipe.
While cheese isn’t mandatory, the combination of sweet strawberries and a tangy, creamy cheese like feta or chevre (goat cheese) is heavenly! For a vegan option, swap out the cheese and add chopped avocado.
I love the crunch and flavor of toasted nuts in any salad. In this recipe, I used pistachios, but often turn to toasted slivered almonds, hazelnuts, cashews, pepitas or sunflower seeds.
Fresh herbs are a great way to add another layer of flavor without adding calories. Basil, parsley or tarragon are some of my favorites.
Other summer salad recipes:
Salmon Panzanella Salad Recipe {Cookin' Canuck}
Heirloom Tomato Salad with Blue Cheese {Cookin' Canuck}
Roasted Garbanzo & Vegetable Salad with Garlic, Feta, Olives & Basil {Kalyn's Kitchen}
Greek Salad Recipe {Let the Baking Begin}
Printable Recipe
Strawberry Salad Recipe with Feta Cheese & Basil
Ingredients
- 6 cups mixed greens
- 2 cups strawberry slices (about 8 large)
- 1 ½ ounces crumbled feta cheese (about 6 tablespoons)
- ¼ cup shelled pistachios roughly chopped
- 4 large basil leaves thinly sliced
The dressing:
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon honey or agave nectar
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Divide the mixed greens between 4 side plates.
- Divide the strawberries, feta cheese, pistachios and basil evenly between the 4 plates.
- Toss with the dressing. Serve.
The dressing:
- In a small small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, honey and salt.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted on May 10, 2013 and was updated on May 18, 2020.
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
BeckyB
Almost too pretty to eat - thank you!!
KerriA
This looks yummy!! (but you might wanna change the name to read pistachio instead of hazelnut! 😉 )
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thank you for catching that! Halfway through writing the post yesterday, I realized I had typed "hazelnut" in every section. It looks as though I didn't catch the one in the actual recipe. Fixed now. 🙂
Jessica@AKitchenAddiction
This is such a gorgeous salad, Dara! Happy Mother's Day!
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
Beautiful salad, Dara! Love the strawberries here. Happy Mother's Day!
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel
I love everything about this salad. It's bursting with flavor! Happy early mother's day, Dara!
Susan
Great pictures ... this salad looks fabulous!
Gerry @ Foodness Gracious
I mentioned this in my latest post about how some of the best salads are "clean up" salads. Love the addition of pistachios 🙂
nessa
Looks delicious!
Katrina @ WVS
This salad looks so bright and tasty! Love the pistachios in there!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet
Every spring salad should have strawberries! And be gorgeous like this one!
Karly
I don't know which I love more...this salad or these photos. All around gorgeous!
Kalyn
Gorgeous salad. I especially like the idea of Feta with fruit! And thanks for the mention of my Roasted Garbanzo Salad; always appreciated!
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie
Might be the prettiest salad ever.
Megan {Country Cleaver}
This is gorgeousness and a half Dara!
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes
Such a pretty salad. Perfect with almost any meal.
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough
This salad is gorgeous! And that whole Mother's Day menu you mentioned? DROOLING. 🙂
Happy Mother's Day to you, Dara!
Kevin @ Closet Cooking
What a nice strawberry salad!
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan
I love the colors in this salad, and that it has all my favorite things in it!
Maria
Such a beautiful salad! Happy Mother's Day to you! I am sure your boys will spoil you:)
Tieghan
Beautiful! All these ingredients go so well together. What a perfect spring/early summer salad! YUM!