Craving something fresh and delicious? This Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad is the perfect blend of sweet, tangy, and crunchy. Best of all, it’s ready in minutes! I may be a dietitian but I am also a busy mother and wife. Eating healthy is always my goal, but I won’t get bogged down by complicated recipes or meal plans. My goal is to help you find simple, stress-free ways to incorporate healthy eating into your daily routine. Today, I want to share one of my favorite go-to summer salad recipes: Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad. It’s not only nutritious and delicious but also SO easy to prepare. Let’s dive in!
Why This Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad is Perfect for You!
This strawberry salad with goat cheese is a perfect example of how you can enjoy a healthy meal without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s light, refreshing, and packed with nutrients. Plus, it’s versatile enough to be a quick lunch, a dinner or even a party favorite. The best part? It only takes a few minutes to assemble!
Nutritional Benefits of Strawberry Salad with Goat Cheese
Let’s talk about the nutritional benefits of each ingredient in this strawberry goat cheese salad:
- Arugula: This leafy green is loaded in vitamins A, C, and K, and it’s a great source of folate, calcium, and potassium. It’s known for its peppery flavor and adds a nice kick to the salad.
- Walnuts: You may have heard these nuts are high in heart-healthy fats, protein, and fiber. Did you also know they also provide a good amount of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for brain health?
- Red Onion: A dash of red onion boosts the flavor and adds antioxidants and vitamin C.
- Strawberries: These sweet, juicy berries are packed with vitamins, fiber, and high levels of antioxidants. They are also a good source of manganese and potassium.
- Goat Cheese: This cheese adds creaminess and tanginess to the salad. It’s lower in calories and fat than many other cheeses and is a good source of protein and calcium.
- Balsamic Vinaigrette: This dressing brings all the flavors together with its sweet and tangy flavor. It’s low in calories making it a perfect addition to this salad.
Ingredients for Strawberry Salad with Goat Cheese (Makes 2 Salads)
- 4 cups Arugula
- 1/4 cup Chopped walnuts
- 1/4 cup Diced red onion
- 2 cups Sliced strawberries
- 1/2 cup Crumbled goat cheese
- 4 tablespoons Balsamic vinaigrette
Instructions: Assemble the Salads
For each salad:
- Start with 2 cups of arugula.
- Add 2 TBSP of chopped walnuts.
- Mix in 2 tablespoons of diced red onion.
- Top with 1 cup of sliced strawberries.
- Sprinkle 1/4 cup of crumbled goat cheese.
- Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinaigrette (if packing for lunch or bringing to a party, add the dressing when ready to eat).
Tips for Making the Perfect Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad
- Prep in Advance: If you’re short on time, you can prepare the ingredients in advance. Be sure to keep the dressing separate until you’re ready to eat to avoid soggy greens. Slice your berries, but keep them on the side and do not wash until you are ready to eat. Washing your berries and letting them sit for extended periods of time will make them soggy (yuck!)
- Customize nuts and cheese: You can swap walnuts for pecans Try feta instead of goat cheese if that is more of your thing.
- Pump up the protein: Add grilled chicken for extra protein.
- Trim the calories: This recipe is designed to be a balanced meal, but you can adjust the calories by adjusting some of the portions. For example, you can reduce the amount of cheese and or nuts.
Making Healthy Eating Simple and Enjoyable
One of the most important lessons I teach my clients is that healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. This strawberry walnut salad is a perfect example of how you can enjoy a delicious, nutritious meal without any hassle. It’s all about having the right food at the right time and making simple choices that fit into your lifestyle.
Remember, the key to a sustainable healthy diet is enjoying what you eat. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different ingredients and flavors to find what works best for you. This salad is just one of many recipes that can help you stay on track with your health goals while still enjoying the process.
I hope you enjoy this strawberry goat cheese salad as much as I do. It’s a favorite in my house, and I’m sure it will become a staple in yours too.
Strawberry Salad With Goat Cheese
Ingredients
- 4 cups Arugula
- 1/4 cup Chopped walnuts
- 1/4 cup Diced red onion
- 2 cups Sliced strawberries
- 1/2 cup Crumbled goat cheese
- 4 TBSP Balsamic vinaigrette
Instructions
- Dice your red onion
- Slice the strawberries
Assemble salads in 2 medium size bowls:
- Start with 2 cups of arugula
- Add 2 TBSP of chopped walnuts
- Mix in 2 tablespoons of diced red onion.
- Top with 1 cup of sliced strawberries.
- Sprinkle 1/4 cup of crumbled goat cheese.
- Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinaigrette. If you are packing for lunch or bringing to a party, add the dressing when ready to eat.
Nutrition
About the Author
Rachel Roberts is a Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist in Rhode Island, a Certified Personal Trainer, business owner, mom, wife, and self-proclaimed foodie with over 20 years of experience in the field of health and wellness. She believes that healthy eating should not be complicated or time-consuming. Follow her on YouTube, Facebook, or Instagram for more Dietitian approved recipes and tips to optimize your health.
Need some help getting your health on track? Rachel and her team of Registered Dietitians and Nutritionists help people lose weight and achieve their health and wellness goals! Meet in person with one of our Nutritionists in RI. We also offer online nutrition coaching sessions to people in RI, MA, CT and FL. Click here to schedule a consultation. In most cases our nutritionists are 100% covered by health insurance.
