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Strawberry Feta Salad is a mouthwatering spring and summer salad with plump strawberries, lettuce, juicy grapes, dried cranberries, walnuts, and feta cheese in a simple lemon dressing. Easy and elegant!
Why we love strawberry salad
Spring and early summer are peak seasons for strawberries, which is the best time to make a luscious salad with strawberries. This savory and sweet salad is elegant, but easy, and perfect for every occasion, formal or casual.
Strawberry salad is loaded with flavor, texture, and nutrients, and takes minimal effort to make. Fresh, juicy, strawberries are the star, but when combined with juicy grapes, walnuts, dried cranberries, and feta cheese – this salad literally quenches your thirst.
Ingredient notes
Salad ingredients
- lettuce - Any leafy greens will work such as butter lettuce, romaine, spring mix, arugula, spinach, kale, etc.
- strawberries - The star of the show and best enjoyed during spring and summer.
- grapes - I love the flavor and color of red grapes, but green grapes are delicious too.
- walnuts - Plain walnuts add protein and fiber to this salad. You can make candied walnuts too (see recipe card footnotes).
- dried cranberries - Also called craisins, these add sweetness to the salad.
- feta cheese - Adds salty and savory flavors that pair well with the sweetness of strawberries and grapes.
Dressing ingredients
- extra virgin olive oil - Or preferred salad oil.
- lemon - Use freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest for extra zingy flavor.
- honey - Or maple syrup, agave nectar, or preferred sweetener.
- Dijon - Or classic mustard.
- sea salt - Add to taste. You may not need any salt since feta cheese tends to be salty – in the most delicious way.
- black pepper - Add to taste.
How to make this recipe
Combine dressing ingredients in a mixing bowl and whisk while slowly drizzling in olive oil until it's creamy (also called emulsion). Refrigerate dressing until it's time to dress the salad.
Add strawberry salad components to a salad serving bowl. You can cover and refrigerate it like this until you're ready to serve. When ready, crumble the feta cheese and get ready for the best part!
Dress the salad with that gorgeous lemon dressing, gently toss, and devour!
When to make strawberry salad
Strawberries are in season from March through August, so I think of this as a spring and summer salad recipe. Of course, strawberries are available year round. But peak season is arguably the best because that is when strawberries are more plump and juicy, but are often on sale.
Recipe tips
- To make ahead, it's best to store salad components separately for optimal freshness.
- Once strawberry salad is dressed, it's best to enjoy immediately.
- When dressing this salad, I recommend tossing the lettuce in dressing before adding the toppings to maintain the delicate shape of the fruit.
Swaps and variations
- Substitute any variety of nuts for walnuts in this salad. Use pecans, macadamia nuts, almonds, etc.
- Use a combination of leafy greens for more variety and flavor.
- Swap feta cheese with goat cheese or fresh mozzarella.
- Use any oil-based dressing such as poppy seed dressing or balsamic vinaigrette.
- Add shredded chicken to this salad and turn it into a whole meal! Use leftover baked chicken thighs or roasted chicken legs and really stretch those dollars.
More salad recipes to love
- Asian Slaw with sesame vinaigrette
- Greek Chickpea Salad
- Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
- Peach Burrata Arugula Salad
- Lemony Chickpea Kale Salad with Avocado
- Turmeric chickpea Buddha bowl
- Vegetable Quinoa Salad recipe
📖 Recipe
Strawberry Salad with Feta
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When scaling the recipe 2x or 3x, the gray ingredient note stays the same. Adjust quantities accordingly.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 6 cups Lettuce, any kind
- 1 cup Fresh Strawberries, sliced
- 1 cup Red Grapes, halved
- ½ cup Walnuts, chopped (or candied walnuts)
- 2 tablespoons Dried Cranberries, chopped
- ¼ cup Feta Cheese, crumbled
For the Dressing:
- ¼ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 large Lemon, zested and juiced (about ¼ cup)
- 2 teaspoons Honey, or Maple Syrup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
- Sea Salt, to taste
- Black Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large salad bowl, combine LETTUCE, STRAWBERRIES, GRAPES, WALNUTS, CRANBERRIES, and FETA CHEESE. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.Note: See recipe footnote for candied walnuts instructions.
- In another mixing bowl, whisk (or blend) OLIVE OIL, LEMON JUICE, LEMON ZEST, HONEY, DIJON, and SALT.
- Refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to serve.
- To serve, allow vinaigrette to sit at room temperature a few minutes if it's too thick from being chilled. Toss salad with vinaigrette and serve.
Recipe Notes
- Place ½ cup WALNUTS and 1 Tbsp SUGAR (white or brown) in a small skillet over medium heat.
- Stir the walnuts continuously until the sugar turns into a sticky liquid and coats the walnuts (about 5 minutes).
- Remove walnuts from skillet and set on a baking sheet to cool.
Equipment
- Microplane zester / grater to zest lemon
- salad tongs
Joamm says
Awesome
Traci says
Thanks! We feel the same way about this one. Enjoy!!
JDoe says
Delish! Made this as a supplement to dinner one night and also prepared a double batch fresh for my husband's salad potluck at work. It was absolutely enjoyed. I ran out of honey and used blue agave for the potluck and was still just as delicious if not more. Also found that juicing your own lemons absolutely makes a difference compared to buying the easier lemon juice from concentrate; so no shortcuts for me on this one. My husband can't have dairy, so I make it without the feta for him and with feta for mine. Will be making on a regular rotation. Thank you!
Traci says
You're so welcome and I'm glad to hear your husband is enjoying it too! 🙂 I totally agree about the fresh lemons. Thanks for sharing your experience. Enjoy!
Jeff says
This strawberry salad is a favorite. Can't wait to make it for our Easter salad this weekend. It's perfect for the occasion!
Shaylee says
Thanks for the delicious recipe! Do you know if there's any other cheese alternative that would pair well with this other than the feta cheese? I hate feta :/ also, is there anything else you would think sounds good to throw in this by chance? I'm scared to try and ruin it lol
The Kitchen Girl says
Hi Shaylee, yes in fact goat cheese would be my next choice, after that, consider fresh mozzarella, burrata, or shredded Parmesan. As for other ingredients, just about any fresh vegetable will be good. I don't think you'll ruin it. Let me know if you have other questions 🙂
Becky T says
Excellent! Not 1 complaint from my four children, they were all too busy eating it!!!
The Kitchen Girl says
Well that just made my day Srsly, I love it when the kids sign off on a recipe, and Strawberry Salad is not usually all the kids fav LOL. I like your kids palate's Thanks for the review...much appreciated!
Carrie Robinson says
I am loving everything about this salad! Especially that vinaigrette dressing. 🙂
The Kitchen Girl says
Thanks so much, Carrie 🙂 Yes, that vinaigrette on strawberry salad makes me crave it!
Dannii says
What a beautiful salad. Strawberries just add so much flavour don't they.
The Kitchen Girl says
Thanks so much, Dannii! Yes, Strawberry Salad is my favorite way to make a salad not boring 🙂
Terri says
This is one of the most gorgeous salads ever and it just screams summer!
The Kitchen Girl says
Awww thanks so much, Terri ❤️ So glad you think so! Strawberry Salad really does scream summer, doesn't it
Caitlyn Erhardt says
This salad is so light, fresh and perfect for summer. Thanks for a wonderful recipe.
The Kitchen Girl says
Thanks, Caitlyn! So glad you're enjoying it 🙂
Andrea Metlika says
This salad looks amazing. I love the pairings and the dressing sounds divine.
The Kitchen Girl says
Thanks, Andrea! Glad you can enjoy this one 🙂
JB says
This salad is a winner every time we make it! You nailed the flavors and textures, and it's a perfect way to use strawberries. Thanks Kitchen Girl!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks so much, JB! I'm so glad you enjoy the salad...and another way to use strawberries 😉
Gloria says
This salad sounds awesome. My daughter in law has a lemon allergy. Would lime work or what would you recommend as a substitute for lemon. Thank you for your help.
Traci Antonovich says
Hi Gloria! Lime would work, but I would probably replace the lemon with balsamic vinegar...equal amounts. That's my other go-to for this salad. Hope you LOVE it! 🙂
Cheryl says
I made a small helping to try this out because I am bringing a salad to my friend's 101st birthday next Saturday. I did not bother to candy the walnuts (although I will next week) and it was still delicious!
Traci Antonovich says
Yay thanks Cheryl...and your friend is 101?! Wow, that's incredible...I'm so honored to have my recipe served for the occasion 🙂
Bri says
Do you use fresh squeezed lemon for the dressing?
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks for asking, Bri. You can totally use either, but I always prefer fresh 😉
Kiki Johnson says
This salad is simply gorgeous and I love the addition of candied walnuts for a bit of crunch!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks so much Kiki! Love hearing that...and the walnuts are my favorite topper with fruit and mixed greens 🙂
Kim Beaulieu says
This looks seriously delicious. I love strawberries in my salad so this is calling my name.
Traci Antonovich says
Strawberries do that, don't they? Thanks Kim...hope you get to give this one a go 🙂
Amy Nash says
Love strawberries in salads - you are totally right about it being a thirst quencher salad. It's super refreshing! I've typically gone with a balsamic dressing with similar salads but can't wait to try your lemon one!
Traci Antonovich says
Haha thanks Amy...thirst quencher all the way! And yes, I love a balsamic too, but hope you get to try this with my lemon dressing...you'll love it!
Jenni LeBaron says
I love homemade dressings. They are so much fresher and more flavorful than store-bought. This looks like a wonderful salad!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Jenni! You're so right about them being more flavorful...and fresher 🙂
Noel Lizotte says
such a pretty salad!
Seems like I eat salad 4 times a week and I"m always looking for ways to mix up my usual toss.
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Noel...then you should especially love this one! Hope you'll be able to give it a go 🙂
Ginny says
What a delicious salad. The dressing is delicious on it's own and then to add it to a salad with strawberries makes it special!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks so much Ginny...love it that you love the dressing so much 🙂
Christina Shoemaker says
Yum! So many of my very favorite flavors in this gorgeous salad! You're making me crave Spring even more than I already do! Will definitely be making this! <3
Traci Antonovich says
I'm right there with you, Christina...can't wait for ALL the spring things! 🙂
Edyta says
This salad sounds so good and refreshing. I'm happy that Spring is coming.
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Edyta! Love hearing that...I'm excited for spring too! 🙂
Pamela says
This is such a beautiful salad! I always love the touch of sweetness that berries add!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks so much Pamela! Love hearing that...and you're so right about berries. I need to eat them in salads more often 🙂
Elizabeth says
Candied walnuts make EVERYTHING delicious! This salad looks so fresh and tasty.
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Elizabeth...couldn't agree more about the candied walnuts. Love them soooo much!