Strawberry Crunch Salad with Caramelized Almonds and Pistachios Recipe
This vibrant Strawberry Crunch Salad combines peppery arugula, sweet strawberries, creamy avocado, and tangy goat cheese, topped with crunchy sugared almonds and pistachios. A bright champagne vinaigrette ties all the flavors together, making it a refreshing and elegant salad perfect for spring or summer meals.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Crunchy Toppings
- ⅔ cup sliced or slivered almonds
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- ⅓ cup roasted salted pistachios, chopped
Salad
- 10 ounces arugula greens
- 8 ounces strawberries, hulled and quartered or chopped
- 1 avocado, chopped
- 2 ounces crumbled goat cheese
Champagne Vinaigrette
- 3 tablespoons champagne vinegar
- ½ lemon, juiced
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, freshly grated
- Pinch kosher salt and pepper
- ½ cup olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the Sugared Almonds: Place the sliced or slivered almonds in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Stir in the sugar and cook, stirring often, until the sugar melts and coats the almonds in a caramelized layer, approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Watch carefully to avoid burning. Transfer the almonds onto parchment paper to cool and break into pieces if they clump together.
- Make the Dressing: In a large bowl, combine the champagne vinegar, honey, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, freshly grated garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk together, then slowly drizzle in the olive oil while continuously whisking until the dressing emulsifies and thickens. Refrigerate any leftover dressing for up to one week.
- Assemble the Salad: Toss the arugula greens with a pinch of salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Add the hulled and quartered strawberries, chopped avocado, crumbled goat cheese, chopped roasted pistachios, and the cooled sugared almonds. Drizzle the champagne vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently but thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Serve: Serve the salad immediately to maintain the crisp texture of the nuts and freshness of the ingredients.
Notes
- Watch the sugared almonds carefully during caramelization as the sugar can burn fast.
- The champagne vinaigrette can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week in an airtight container.
- For a nut-free variation, omit pistachios and almonds and substitute with toasted seeds like pumpkin or sunflower.
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor and texture.
- Serve immediately after assembling to preserve the crunch and freshness of the salad.
Keywords: Strawberry salad, arugula salad, spinach salad with strawberries, sugared almonds, champagne vinaigrette, goat cheese salad, summer salad, healthy salad
