Strawberry Cucumber Salad with Savory Granola.
This strawberry cucumber salad is made with peppery arugula greens, creamy goat cheese, ripe strawberries and refreshing cucumbers. It’s drizzled with a strawberry balsamic dressing and topped with a savory pistachio granola. So delicious!
I have a salad that will just scream SPRING!
This strawberry cucumber salad is made with arugula greens, baby spinach, goat cheese, strawberries, cucumbers and a whole bunch of crunchy savory granola. It’s drizzled with a strawberry balsamic dressing for the ultimate punch!
And it’s heavy in the rotation over here. We adore strawberries.
I think I could fulfill my kids’ college funds with the amount we spend on berries each week. And they are gone in a day or two!
So, remember my amazing blueberry salad? Blueberries, cucumbers, balsamic dressing? It’s such a simple recipe but one that is fabulous. Everyone adores it.
That is where I got the inspiration for this salad! It has the same feel – berries, cucumbers, some goat cheese, a tangy dressing, lots of nuts. But I gave it an elevated twist.
Also, I will forever love strawberries more than blueberries. It’s just who I am.
The base for this salad uses peppery arugula and baby spinach. Then we have juicy strawberries, refreshing cucumbers and lots of crumbly, tangy goat cheese. Yum yum yum.
But the best part? The GRANOLA!!
In my book The Pretty Dish, I have an avocado orange salad recipe with almond granola. It’s SO delicious. Sweet, savory, salty and crunchy. It has all the textures and flavors going on.
I love using savory granola in salad for that reason. It adds so much – more crisp and crunch than your traditional crouton. It also adds satiety with the nuts and seeds. You can mix it up with sweet, savory and even spicy flavors.
I also like making savory granola because it stretches so many meals! I can make a batch at the beginning of the week and have it to sprinkle on all of my salads. It also stays great in the fridge for around two weeks or so, and that is menu planning gold!
Way to elevate a meal and make it feel fancy and special. Make a salad with granola!
This savory granola starts with oats, pistachios and sunflower seeds. Talk about dreamy.
It also has some garlic powder and chives in it, mixed with a bit of honey, olive oil and even crushed red pepper.
It’s SO good.
I could eat a little bowl of this on its own, no problem.
The whole combination of this salad is so fresh, spring-like and full of flavor. While there are a few components to the dish, the flavors are simple and likable, making it a great party salad! It’s also so pretty and perfect for Mother’s Day.
Beauty!
Strawberry Cucumber Salad with Savory Granola
Strawberry Cucumber Salad with Savory Granola
Ingredients
- 10 to 12 cups arugula and spinach greens
- kosher salt and pepper
- 1 ½ cups sliced strawberries
- 4 baby seedless cucumbers thinly sliced
- 1 medium shallot thinly sliced
- 2 to 3 ounces goat cheese crumbled
savory pistachio granola
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- ⅓ cup pistachios chopped
- 3 tablespoons sunflower seeds
- 3 tablespoons old fashioned oats
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
- ½ teaspoon dried chives
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
strawberry balsamic dressing
- ½ cup chopped strawberries
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 2 teaspoons honey
- ½ lemon juiced
- kosher salt and pepper
- ½ cup olive oil
Instructions
- Place the greens in a large bowl. Toss with a big pinch of salt and pepper. Add in the berries, cucumbers and shallots. Crumble the goat cheese on top.
- Drizzle with the strawberry dressing. Top with the savory granola and serve!
savory pistachio granola
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the pistachios, sunflower seeds and oats and toss. Cook, stirring often, for 2 to 3 minutes or so until it all begins to toast. Drizzle in the honey, then add the lemon zest, garlic powder, chives, salt, pepper and crushed pepper flakes. Toss and stir until everything comes together. Turn off the heat and spread the granola on parchment until cooled. Crumble it over the salad!
strawberry balsamic dressing
- Combine all the ingredients in a blender until smooth and blended. You can make this a day ahead of time and store it in the fridge, sealed in a container or jar. Shake or whisk before using.
Did you make this recipe?
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I appreciate you so much!
Just imagine that crunch.
2 Comments on “Strawberry Cucumber Salad with Savory Granola.”
Do you worry about eating strawberries since they’re at the top of “dirty” foods? I’ve stopped buying them even though I love them.
I Love her salads the Granola made it! or maybe it was the strawberry !