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Strawberry Crunch Salad with avocado, pistachios, goat cheese, and lemon dressing in a rustic bowl

Strawberry Crunch Salad (The Ultimate Summer Salad)

Emily Wilson
This Strawberry Crunch Salad is the ultimate summer salad packed with juicy strawberries, creamy avocado, crisp greens, and sweet toasted almonds. Finished with a bright lemon honey dressing, it is fresh, colorful, and perfect for lunch or entertaining.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 28 minutes
Course Main Course, Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 4 bowls
Calories 420 kcal

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Small skillet
  • Whisk
  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting Board

Ingredients
  

Salad Ingredients

  • 5 ounces baby arugula or mixed greens washed and dried
  • 2 cups fresh strawberries hulled and sliced
  • 1 whole ripe avocado diced
  • 1/3 cup roasted salted pistachios chopped
  • 1/2 cup sliced almonds
  • 2 teaspoons sugar or maple syrup for caramelizing almonds
  • 2 ounces goat cheese or feta crumbled

Lemon Honey Dressing

  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic finely grated
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Place sliced almonds in a small skillet over medium heat. Add sugar or maple syrup and stir constantly for 6 to 8 minutes until lightly caramelized and golden. Transfer to parchment paper and allow to cool completely.
  • In a bowl, whisk together lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking until smooth and slightly thickened.
  • Add arugula to a large mixing bowl and lightly season with a small pinch of salt.
  • Top the greens with sliced strawberries, diced avocado, pistachios, cooled almonds, and crumbled cheese.
  • Drizzle dressing over the salad just before serving and toss gently to combine. Serve immediately for best texture.

Notes

For meal prep, store the greens, toppings, and dressing separately and assemble just before serving. You can add grilled chicken or chickpeas to make it a more filling lunch. To keep the salad crisp, always cool the toasted nuts completely before adding them.
Nutrition Facts:
•Calories: 420 kcal 
•Carbohydrates: 28 g 
•Protein: 9 g 
•Total Fat: 32 g 
•Saturated Fat: 5 g 
•Cholesterol: 10 mg 
•Sodium: 220 mg 
•Potassium: 620 mg 
•Fiber: 7 g 
•Sugar: 18 g 
•Vitamin A: 3500 IU 
•Vitamin C: 85 mg 
•Calcium: 120 mg 
•Iron: 2 mg