We are now at the best time of the year to enjoy the sweet and juicy natural flavors of fresh strawberries and I am soo excited! But this just isn’t any old salad that you dump out of a bag. And also no judgement towards store-bought salads because I 100% believe they definitely have their time and place! But, I absolutely love making a good homemade salad that’s full of fresh ingredients and a homemade salad dressing. Some other reader-favorite salads: Tabbouleh Salad, 4 Bean Salad with Avocado, Healthy Broccoli Salad, Massaged Kale Blueberry Salad The other fun flavor and texture surprise is the fried goat cheese croutons. When I tell you I am obsessed, I am OBSESSED. I love the creamy and crispy combination the warm goat cheese brings to this vibrant salad. The final step to finish off these bold Summertime flavors is to dress them with a tangy-sweet homemade poppyseed dressing. It tastes a lot better than any store bought version, it only requires 7 ingredients and only takes minutes to make. The extra creamy dressing and the crisp and creamy fried goat cheese are the winning ingredients that make this salad recipe so special! This salad is great for lunch, dinner or brunch and it travels well for a pack-and-go lunch, too! (Just keep the dressing on the side before you’re ready to dive in). Chicken or fish pair really well with all of these fresh flavors too if you want to add some protein!
Why This Recipe Works
Flavor packed! Easy to make The crispy goat cheese makes this a show-stopping salad Add some protein and you have a complete meal for lunch or dinner So colorful, that it makes a beautiful addition to any table. It’s a great go-to salad. You will find your are making it often!
Romaine: Romaine is refreshing, juicy and crisp. Be sure to wash and rinse it well, romaine can be very dirty! Arugula: arugula is peppery, a little spicy and nutty and love how it’s flavors play in this salad. Feel free to omit or add spinach instead! Basil: I love the surprise taste of fresh basil this salad. It’s sweet and slightly spicy. Always use fresh. Red onion: I love the strong flavor of fresh, red onions. Dice them small but just thick enough to still get a good crunch with every bite. Strawberries: Remove the stem and the hull, then dice the strawberry. Be sure to find fresh, juicy strawberries for the best flavor! Sunflower seeds: I love the subtle crunch they add to this yummy salad. Fried goat cheese: This is one of my favorite ingredients in this salad. The warm , creamy crispness is such a contrast to the sweet and fresh flavors of the summertime greens and sweet strawberries. Poppyseed Dressing: you’ll need mayonnaise, half and half, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, sugar and poppy seeds.
To make this salad a full meal, try topping it off with some chicken. A quick option would be to pick up a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store, or if you have chicken breasts you could pop them in a skillet or even on the BBQ while you are putting the salad together. You can also use other greens in this salad. I love the crispness of the romaine, but you can also substitute spinach, kale, Spring mix, butter leaf lettuce, etc. Use a salad spinner to dry the lettuce completely. If you don’t have one, lay paper towels or dish towels over a baking sheet and lay out a single layer of the romaine leaves so they dry. To completely coat the salad greens with the delicious dressing, I like to pour a little bit at a time, toss and pour and toss again. I also like to save some dressing to serve along side, in case someone wants more. Serve the goat cheese warm for the best creamy texture in each bite. If you don’t want to fuss with making fried goat cheese, you can simply crumble the goat cheese over the top. If the goat cheese isn’t your thing, add feta cheese, mini mozzarella balls or gorgonzola. Instead of sunflower seeds, try walnuts, pine nuts, almonds, or toasted pecans.
