Description
This Strawberry Goat Cheese Easter Salad is a vibrant celebration of spring. Featuring tender spring greens, juicy strawberries, and creamy goat cheese, it is topped with golden oven-toasted almonds for the perfect crunch. Finished with a bright lemon honey vinaigrette, it’s a sophisticated standout for any holiday table.
Ingredients
The Salad Base
- 12 oz mixed spring greens
- 16 oz fresh strawberries, washed, hulled, and sliced
- 1 cup slivered almonds
- 4 oz goat cheese, crumbled
The Lemon Honey Vinaigrette
- 1/2 cup neutral oil (sunflower or safflower)
- 5 tablespoons freshly-squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds (optional)
- Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Toast Almonds: Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake slivered almonds for 5–7 mins until golden. Cool completely.
Vinaigrette: Combine oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, pepper, and poppy seeds in a jar. Shake vigorously until emulsified.
Assemble: Layer greens and strawberries in a large bowl. Sprinkle with cooled almonds and goat cheese.
Serve: Drizzle with vinaigrette just before serving and toss gently.
Notes
The Cooling Phase: Toasted almonds must be stone-cold before assembly to prevent wilting the delicate greens.
Goat Cheese Hack: Freeze the cheese log for 15 minutes before crumbling to get clean, distinct pieces instead of a paste.
Emulsification: Honey acts as a natural binder, helping the oil and lemon juice stay integrated for a smooth, consistent dressing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Salad / Holiday Side
- Method: No-Cook / Toasting
- Cuisine: Modern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Large Bowl
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 9
- Sodium: 140
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 17
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 16
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 8
- Cholesterol: 15
Keywords: strawberry goat cheese salad, easter salad recipes, spring greens with strawberries, lemon honey vinaigrette, toasted almond salad, healthy easter sides, poppy seed dressing salads