Strawberry Salad is a spring salad with fresh strawberries, spring mix, juicy, red grapes, dried cranberries, candied walnuts, and feta cheese in a lemon dijon vinaigrette. Your taste buds will literally dance to the 5 flavors of sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and savory. Spring and early summer are peak seasons for strawberries and are the best times to make strawberry salad.
Strawberry Salad with Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette
This strawberry salad is loaded with flavor, texture, and plant-based nutrients. Yet, it's minimal and super simple to make.
Fresh, juicy, ripe, strawberries are, of course, a major player in this salad, but they're not the only rock stars.
Red, juicy grapes and candied walnuts combined with the dried cranberries and feta cheese offer amazing textures and flavors that literally melt in your mouth.
You can buy candied walnuts at specialty markets, but if you want to save a little money and make them, it's simple!
How do you make candied walnuts for strawberry salad?
- Place 1/2 cup WALNUTS and 1 Tbsp SUGAR (white or brown) in a small skillet over medium heat.
- Stir 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.
If you don't want candied walnuts, you can simply use plain walnuts for this recipe.
Don't want to make candied walnuts? Grab the pre-made ones here!
When to make strawberry salad
The peak season for strawberries is between April and June. You can buy strawberries any season of the year in most grocery stores.
When you buy them in season, you're likely to find better prices and most certainly more juicy, colorful, and flavorful!
If you need a strawberry dessert for spring and summer, check out my No Churn Strawberry Greek Frozen Yogurt.
Strawberry Salad Recipe Ingredients
- spring mix
- strawberries
- red grapes
- candied walnuts
- dried cranberries
- feta cheese
- extra virgin olive oil
- lemon juice
- honey or agave nectar
- Dijon mustard
- kosher salt
Recommended Tools
- chef knife
- cutting board
- salad dressing jar
- mixing bowl
- stainless colander (to rinse fruit)
- salad hands or tongs
Grab these healthy easy salads!
- Asian Quinoa Slaw Salad with Sesame Ginger Vinaigrette
- Lemony Kale Chickpea Avocado Salad
- Turmeric Chickpea Buddha Bowl Recipe
Strawberry Salad Recipe
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 6 cups Spring Mix Salad
- 1 cup Strawberries, sliced
- 1 cup Red Grapes, halved
- 1/2 cup Candied Walnuts (recipe below), or plain walnuts, chopped
- 2 Tbsp Dried Cranberries, chopped
- 1/4 cup Feta Cheese, crumbled
For the Dressing:
- 1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 large Lemon, juiced (about 3 Tbsp)
- 2 tsp Honey, or Maple Syrup
- 1 tsp Dijon Mustard
- 1/8 tsp Kosher Salt
Instructions
Strawberry Salad
- In a large salad bowl, combine SPRING MIX, STRAWBERRIES, GRAPES, WALNUTS, CRANBERRIES, and FETA CHEESE. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.Note: See recipe footnotes for 'candied walnuts' recipe instructions
Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette
- In another mixing bowl, whisk (or blend) OLIVE OIL, LEMON JUICE, 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.
Traci's Notes
- Place 1/2 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.
Nutrition
Nutrition data provided as courtesy estimates using unbranded ingredients from a nutrition database. Please consult preferred resource for precise data.
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 at Innocent Delight 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 @ Brooklyn Farm Girl 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!