Strawberry Feta Salad

This Strawberry Feta Salad is one of the best summer salads for healthy eating. It is packed with flavor and texture and made with simple ingredients like baby kale, fresh strawberries, crunchy pecans, and creamy feta. Coated with a simple balsamic vinaigrette, this salad will surely be a hit at your table. 

There can never be too many healthy and delicious salads. Vibrant and fresh ingredients tossed with a tangy dressing, salads are a constant staple at the lunch and dinner table.

Salads made with leafy greens are exceptionally versatile in their ingredients and how they are served. You can serve them as a light side salad or as part of a complete and balanced meal by adding a healthy protein. Whichever way you decide to serve this fresh strawberry salad, one thing is for sure. It will become one of your favorites!

So grab some local strawberries at the farmers market (they are the best) and get to making this delicious and nutritious salad.

Ingredients

This delightful strawberry feta salad comes together with four simple ingredients plus a few more for the salad dressing. Check out this simple ingredient list. 

• Fresh kale - I love using baby kale because it's more tender and has a slightly milder flavor that people find more palatable. A bonus is there is no need to massage this kale as it's more tender. You can use mature curly kale or lacinato kale if you prefer.
• Strawberries - Of course, having the freshest farmer's market berries you can find is nice, but any strawberries will do.  
• Pecans - If you want to make this salad special, try toasting your pecans first.
• Feta cheese - Is there anything better than crumbled feta? It adds a lovely salty kick. Make sure you break it into small pieces, so there's some in every bite.
• Olive oil - when making salad dressings, it's best to use good quality extra-virgin olive oil, which also has health benefits.
• Maple syrup - Be sure to use the best quality pure maple syrup for the best results
• Balsamic vinegar - Sweet and loaded with flavor; use your favorite brand of balsamic vinegar for the best flavor. It makes this dressing pop.
• Dijon mustard - Grainy Dijon mustard is my favorite because it gives a lovely texture to the balsamic dressing
• Garlic - more vibrant flavor

How to Make Strawberry Feta Salad

This easy salad recipe comes together quickly in two simple steps. The printable recipe is in the recipe card for your convenience.

Step 1.

Whisk the dressing ingredients like olive oil, maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic together in a small bowl or a jar with a lid and set aside. 

Step 2. 

Add the baby kale, sliced strawberries, pecans, and crumbled feta cheese in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the top and toss gently. Serve immediately. If you plan to serve later, wait to dress the salad as it will become soggy.

Variations

Strawberry Feta Salad is packed with so much flavor yet has few ingredients. Add variety by switching things up. Check out these ideas:

• Use your favorite greens: don't care for baby kale? Swap them out with baby spinach, arugula, or mixed greens.
• Substitute strawberries: use other fresh berries like blackberries or blueberries. During the summer, consider slicing some stone fruits into wedges. Plums, peaches, and apricots all pair wonderfully with greens, feta, and balsamic dressing.
• Don't forget the crunch: Strawberries and pecans pair well together, but you can use walnuts, almonds, pistachios, or even pumpkin seeds for crunch.
• Skip the feta: not everyone is a fan of feta, so it's okay to skip it entirely. However, if you still want to add a little cheese, you can try crumbled goat cheese for extra fancy or shredded Parmesan for something more common. 

Helpful Tips

This simple salad recipe is fairly easy as written. But a few helpful tips may help you make this recipe.

• Double the dressing: Balsamic vinaigrette lasts a fairly long time in the refrigerator, so feel free to double the recipe to whip up this easy salad quickly.
• Make it presentable: If you want your salad to look picturesque, reserve some strawberries, feta cheese, and pecans. Coat the salad with the dressing, then sprinkle the reserved ingredients on top. 
• Make it a meal: Add leftover protein like rotisserie chicken on the side for a complete meal.

Storage Instructions

Strawberry Feta Salad doesn't store well when combined with the salad dressing. It's best to serve it immediately when tossed together. However, you can store the salad ingredients separately in an airtight container and keep the dressing in a small mason jar. Then toss them together just before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make Strawberry Feta Salad ahead of time?

I don't recommend it. The salad greens and sliced strawberries are very delicate and, when tossed with the balsamic dressing, will immediately soften and wilt.

How can I make this salad in advance?

The best way to meal prep this salad is by preparing the various components of the salad and storing them separately until ready to serve. You can make the salad dressing ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Use store-bought packaged baby kale that has been triple-washed.

What is the best dressing for a salad with strawberries?

A great salad dressing that compliments the fresh and tender strawberries is a simple balsamic vinaigrette made with extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, a little Dijon mustard, and subtly sweetened with maple syrup.

Serving Suggestions

Strawberry Feta Salad is a great side salad that can accompany any meal. Pair it with Baked Pork Tenderloin, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs, or Herbed Skirt Steak. 

This delicious salad has so much flavor that sometimes all you need is to top with a healthy and hearty protein and call it good. So add some leftover roast chicken, Slow Cooker Balsamic Pork, or even canned tuna for a complete and healthy meal. 

Nutrition

It's no secret that kale is packed with nutrition. So much so that it's often called the "queen of greens." And for a good reason. 

Kale is high in vitamin K, vitamin C, and vitamin A and loaded with antioxidants. It's low in calories with only 33 per cup, yet high in fiber, clocking in at 5 grams per cup. And you may be surprised to learn that it has more calcium than a glass of milk. You can learn more about the health benefits of kale on Healthline in The 10 Benefits of Kale. 

So if you've been avoiding kale as part of your regular healthy diet, this salad is an excellent way to begin. 

Need More Delicious Summer Salads to Get You Through The Week?

• Cucumber and Tomato Salad
• Chopped Salad
• Skinny Watermelon Feta Salad
• Supergreens Salad with Cherries and Feta
• Keto Cucumber Salad

Kale and Strawberry Salad with Pecans

This delicious Kale and Strawberry Salad with Pecans is full of sweet and salty flavor and topped with a light lemon vinaigrette.  {gluten free}

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

Keyword: berry kale salad, kale salad

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

• 5 cups kale, chopped
• 1 ½ cups strawberries, sliced
• ½ cup pecans, chopped
• ¼ cup feta, crumbled

Dressing

• ¼ cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
• 2 garlic cloves chopped
• 2 teaspoon dijon mustard I used grainy mustard

Instructions

• Whisk all dressing ingredients together in a small bowl. Set aside.
• In a medium bowl add the baby kale, strawberries, pecans and feta cheese. Pour dressing over top and toss gently.

Notes

If you plan to store this salad in the refrigerator for a few days, do not dress it.  

 

Nutrition

Calories: 304kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 168mg | Potassium: 554mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 8406IU | Vitamin C: 133mg | Calcium: 192mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition Disclaimer

All nutritional information provided is an estimate. For specific dietary needs or concerns, we recommend consulting a nutrition calculator or a qualified expert.

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