Description
A fresh and vibrant Spring Salad featuring mixed greens, sweet strawberries, crisp cucumber, tangy red onion, creamy goat cheese, and crunchy toasted pecans, all tossed in a luscious balsamic vinaigrette. Perfect for a light, refreshing meal or side dish, ready in just 15 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 4 cups mixed greens (baby spinach or arugula)
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1 medium cucumber, diced
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup goat cheese, crumbled
- ¼ cup pecan halves, toasted
Dressing
- ¼ cup balsamic vinaigrette
Instructions
- Prepare the Greens: Rinse mixed greens thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt or grit. Use a salad spinner to dry the greens completely, ensuring they stay crisp in the salad.
- Prepare the Goat Cheese: Crumble the goat cheese into small, bite-sized pieces that will evenly distribute throughout the salad.
- Slice the Strawberries: Hull and slice the strawberries into thin, uniform pieces to add a sweet, juicy element to the salad.
- Dice the Cucumber: Cut the cucumber into half-moon shapes for a fresh, crunchy texture.
- Soak the Red Onion: Place the thinly sliced red onion in cold water for about 10 minutes to reduce its sharpness and mellow the flavor.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, gently toss together the mixed greens, sliced strawberries, diced cucumber, soaked red onions, crumbled goat cheese, and toasted pecan halves, being careful not to bruise the greens.
- Add Dressing: Just before serving, drizzle the balsamic vinaigrette over the salad and toss lightly to coat all ingredients evenly.
Notes
- To toast pecans, place them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant and lightly browned.
- Use a light hand when tossing the salad to prevent the greens from wilting.
- Balsamic vinaigrette can be substituted with a lemon vinaigrette for a brighter flavor.
- For added protein, grilled chicken or shrimp can be served alongside this salad.
- Make sure to add the dressing just before serving to keep the salad fresh and crisp.
