I declare this strawberry number the Official Salad of Summer 2018! It’s fully loaded with colorful strawberries, radishes, red onion, basil, jalapeño, toasty sunflower seeds, and fresh arugula.
Creamy goat cheese and a simple homemade balsamic vinaigrette round out the sweet-and-slightly-spicy flavor profile. It’s an unexpected combination of flavors, perhaps, but they’re truly irresistible together.
This is a hearty summertime garden salad that you can serve as a light dinner, or as a side salad for a crowd. I think it would go well with smoky flavors from your grill.
I should mention that this is a big salad. I could barely manage to toss it all together on my largest serving platter. You could divide all of the ingredients in half—or better yet, store leftover salad and dressing separately and enjoy leftovers for a few days.
I hope you love this salad as much as I do. It would definitely make a statement on the table at your next summer get-together.
Check my recipe notes for ideas on how to change it up to suit your preferences, and please let me know how you like this strawberry stunner in the comments!
Craving more giant green salads to make this summer?
- Italian Chopped Salad
- Colorful Chopped Salad with Carrot Ginger Dressing
- Mexican Green Salad with Jalapeño-Cilantro Dressing
- Fattoush Salad with Mint Dressing
- Chopped Greek Salad
Colorful Strawberry Arugula Salad
- Author: Cookie and Kate
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 large or 8 side salads 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: By hand
- Cuisine: Vegetarian
This large strawberry salad is colorful and delicious! It’s made with arugula, strawberries, goat cheese, sunflower seeds and balsamic vinaigrette. Recipe yields 4 large or 8 side salads.
Ingredients
- 5 ounces arugula
- ½ cup chopped fresh basil
- 1 pound strawberries, thinly sliced
- ¾ cup finely chopped red onion (about ½ small onion)
- 4 ounces crumbled goat cheese or feta, or 1 ripe avocado, diced
- ½ cup roasted and salted sunflower seeds
- ½ cup halved and thinly sliced radish (about 3 medium)
- 1 medium jalapeño, very thinly sliced (omit if sensitive to spice)
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 ½ tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ tablespoon maple syrup or honey
- 1 clove garlic, pressed or minced
- Pinch of fine sea salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- To assemble the salad: On a large serving platter or in a large serving bowl, layer the ingredients as listed.
- To prepare the vinaigrette: In a liquid measuring cup or small bowl, combine all of the ingredients and whisk until fully blended. Taste, and add more salt or pepper if needed. The dressing should be nice and tangy, but you can add more maple syrup for balance if desired.
- When you’re ready to serve the salad, drizzle vinaigrette on top, and toss to combine. Serve promptly. (If you’re planning to have leftovers, store the salad and dressing separately and toss before serving.) Stored separately, leftovers will keep well for 3 to 4 days.
Notes
Make it dairy free/vegan: Substitute diced avocado for the goat cheese. Vegans, be sure to use maple syrup in the dressing.
Change it up: This salad is versatile. If you don’t have basil, or you don’t love jalapeño or radish, simply omit them. If you don’t like arugula, use spring greens instead.
Vegetable enthusiast. Dog lover. I'm probably making a big mess in my Kansas City kitchen right now. 
William
I love goat’s cheese with sweet flavours, I must give this a try
Kate
Let me know what you think!
Blumah
All your recipes are awesome and kosher! And delicious! Looking forward to trying this one soon! Thank you! Blumah w
Kate
Let me know what you think! :)
Becca
This salad was beautiful and delicious! Made without jalapeño, sunflower seeds and red onion because we didn’t happen to have those on hand. Will make again as soon as o can, so good!
Kate
That’s great to hear, Becca! Thank you for sharing.
Cynthia G.
Made this salad today and it was not only delicious but really refreshing on this very hot summer day. Thanks again Kate for this great recipe.
Kate
I agree with you, Cynthia! Thanks for your comment and review.
Kathryn A
This was delish! I thought it wouldn’t be filling enough for a whole meal, but it was!
Kate
Wonderful, Kathryn!
Gaby Dalkin
I love love love strawberries in my salads—they’re the perfect summertime touch!
Kate
They are so good right now, too!
Mahesh Krishnan
Kate:
I prepared this last night and it was amazing!!! Wife and daughter loved it. To make it more filling I added some grains to it and topped it off with grilled chicken, but the chicken was not needed. The balsamic vinaigrette came out fantastic as I followed your recipe as is. My prior attempts at making it have not been as successful. I have posted the picture of the salad I made on Instagram and tagged you!!
Next up, Kale and Quinoa salad…or is it the Watercress with Forbidden Rice….I am so confused!!
Kate
Thanks for sharing! I’m glad you really enjoyed it, Mahesh. Thanks for the review too!
Beth File
Love this salad , have made it several times. Was just searching for a recipe to make for a barbecue this weekend. I am choosing to make this salad as i am sure it will be a hit .
Audrey
I made this last night as a quick weeknight meal and it was SO GOOD!!! Like fancy restaurant good! The flavor combinations were amazing and the little hint of heat with the jalapeno was perfection. This is probably the best salad I have ever made.
I didn’t have all of the ingredients at home, so I used a nectarine instead of strawberries and cucumber instead of radish and threw in an avocado that I needed to use as well, but I’m sure it’s just as amazing with the ingredients listed.
Kate
Hooray!! I’m glad you think so. :) I appreciate your review and sharing how you made it your own.
Daryl Hastings
What a delicious salad! My wife and I put this together last Sunday to go with the maple glazed salmon that we grilled. Who would have thought that jalapeños would pair with strawberrie? Well, it workes perfectly! We opted for sheeps milk feta to give some saltiness which really made all the flavors pop.
Thanks very much.
Kate
I know, right?! Just a surprising and delicious combination. I appreciate the review, Daryl.
Monica
I had this for lunch all week and loved it! I’m a huge fan of all of your salads and the cookbook of course!
Kate
Thank you! I’m so happy to hear that, Monica. :)
LORI STANICEK
Hi Kate,
Had my family up to our lake house and made this for the first time. I did omit the radishes and jalapenos (fam members that don’t like spice, may decide they aren’t invited again, lol). Everyone loved it. The basil was an awesome addition that I had plenty of in my garden and the dressing was just perfect. Can’t wait to try it with the jalapeños next time as I can imagine that extra layer is even more yummy. Thanks again for another delicious recipe.
Hi to Cookie!
Kate
I’m glad it was a hit! I’m glad you are going to try it with the jalapeños. It sends it over the top! Thanks for the review, Lori.
Mo
I made this salad for my sister’s birthday BBQ and it was a big hit! Everyone thought it was very refreshing and that the flavor was perfect. I couldn’t get my bottle of regular balsamic vinegar open, so subbed white balsamic and it was great. I think this recipe will become one of my BBQ standards as it really was excellent and it looks really pretty too. Thanks Kate for the great recipe!
Kate
Great to hear, Mo!
Janette Mullis
Had this for dinner tonight.
Flavors went well together.
Very good!
Ive tried ALOT of your recipes and they are ALL good.
Thankyou for helping me keep it interesting!!
Kate
Great to hear! If you would like to leave a star review, I would really appreciate it.
Lauren K
I am kind of obsessed with this salad. It is so smartly put together and fulfills my craving for sweet-and-spicy — the jalapeno is pure genius. I have made it several times: with strawberries, with blueberries (what I had), with cheese as a main course and without as a side salad. All variations have been great. I used an arugula/spinach blend since my husband prefers that, and I usually add some white pepper to the dressing.
Kate
I love you have made it several times already! Thanks for your review.
Eve
10/10, she did it again! This salad is 2 die 4! You’re so good at what you do! Btw, do you have any recommendations for a giant salad bowl?
Kate
Aw, thanks Eve! Oh gosh. I really like using a platter to server salads. Or if it’s just me, the large nesting bowl on my shop page. :)
Brittany Audra @ Audra's Appetite
Love strawberry summer salads…great minds think alike! :) can’t wait to try using arugula as that’s my favorite green!
Kate
Let me know what you think! I’m currently obsessed with this salad. :)
Jeff Arneson
I made the colorful strawberry arugula salad; awesome! Thanks Kate;)
Kate
Wonderful! Thanks for your review, Jeff.
Alan
Kate and Cookie, I am recovering from back surgery and must remain at home with no lifting or bending. I am spending my down time cooking for my bride. I found your web site. Love it. We also rescued a dog and Odie has also changed our lives. Very impressed with your work.
lacey
i hate to say anything negative about cookie and kate, because her recipes are always awesome, but…. i have to say this salad was way too potent (for our taste buds anyways), all the flavors in it were intense, just keep that in mind. not really the refreshing strawberry salad i was hoping for. maybe if you really love arugula and its not going to over power the rest of your meal, than go for it!
Kate
I’m sorry you didn’t love this! This salad does make a bold statement for sure. Thanks for your review.
Gail
I absolutely LOVE your falafel recipe. I made it for a couple of friends and they loved it too. Even my meat eating husband liked it (with tahini sauce). I’m making falafel for friends the night before Thanksgiving dinner.
I’ve compared your recipe to my favorite Mediterranean restaurant, and I can’t tell the difference.
Thank you so much!!
Love your recipes.
Kate
Thank you! I’m so happy to hear that, Gail. Thanks for sharing.
yakoob.ek
you r strouberry salad amazing .I did for my son. he really enjoy the salad.he take at school he friends surprised.
thank for the serve the salad.
Kate
You’re welcome!
Amy
What a gorgeous salad! I never would have thought to put strawberries and arugula together but it totally works! The dressing is kind of the perfect addition to top it all off. So Good!!
Kate
Thank you! I’m glad you really liked it, Amy.
Bethany
Amazing combination of flavors! I could eat this salad again and again.
Kate
Love to hear that, Bethany! Thanks for your review.
Rebecca B.
I did not believe it was possible to crave a salad until I ate this! It’s the BEST salad in the whole world, hands down. The dressing is also perfection!
Kate
Great to hear, Rebecca! Thanks for your time to comment and feedback.
Kaven
This salad was delicious and so pretty! We used goat cheese, didn’t have any basil, and actually used store-bought balsamic because we were in a rush. We also took the middle seedy part out of the jalapeno just in case. It was insanely good and we will definitely make it again with the basil and homemade dressing. Thanks Kate!
Kate
You’re welcome, Kaven! Thank you for trying this large salad and letting me know what you though!
Jess O
Whenever I need a good salad recipe, I know I need to come to your blog- you seriously make the best combos! I made this for my husband (who is totally a meat and potatoes kind of guy) and I last night and he loved it! I’ve also made your blood orange salad for a few family events recently and they all raved about it, especially the lemony dressing! Thanks for always sharing so delicious, healthy recipes! :)
Kate
Thanks, Jess! I’m glad you love the salads. This one is a great one for sure.
Lauren
I brought a tamed version of this salad to a church picnic (queso fresco instead of goat cheese; no jalepenos), and the entire platter was devoured immediately. One person wanted to know where I bought my salad dressing (homemade, baby!). Of course, I shouldn’t be surprised because the Cookie+Kate recipes I bring to events always become the star of the show. A fresh, delicious, and attractive recipe–as always!
Kate
Thanks for sharing, Lauren! I’m glad you were able to make it work for your needs. Homemade it the best!
Julie
Yum! This was great! Thanks for an easy and delicious recipe!
Kate
Thank you for taking the time to comment, Julie!
Jeanne
Great dressing! I had to do the goat cheese AND the avocado because I love the creamy. Used about half the dressing and a spinach/arugula blend. Boy that dressing is delicious!
Kate
Thank you for sharing, Jeanne!
Veronica
Made this back when strawberries first came in the market, so I think it was probably March 2019. This salad is brilliant in every possible way. Brilliant! After making it the first time I realized this was a chopped salad and I made a mistake cutting each item into chunks instead. Lesson learned. Since then, I’ve followed your instructions and chopped everything so the flavors marry the way you designed it. I’ve also learned since I found you online last Fall, that every single time I deviate from your proportions, I make a mistake. I’ve culled out from thousands(?) of online chefs and I got really lucky when I found you. I have your cookbook as well and am heavily reliant on it for my vegetarian meals. If I have a hankering for a certain flavor or food, I always google you first to see what you’ve come up with. You’re truly gifted in the kitchen.
Kate
Thank you for sharing your experience, Veronica!
Julie
This was absolutely fantastic! I got rave reviews from my husband, who is not much of a salad eater. I doubled the dressing and used half to marinate some chicken breast which I grilled and served on top, but I agree with other reviewers that it could stand alone as a lighter dinner.
Kate
I’m happy it was a hit with everyone! I appreciate your review, Julie.
Rachelle
This salad is absolutely delicious. So refreshing with the perfect combination of flavors.
Kathy Campbell
Thank you for another great recipe. My family loved it!
risajo
SO EASY! SO GOOD!
i didn’t add mustard because i didn’t have any… still turned out amazing! added extra strawberries too :)
Becky
Hi Kate!
I love strawberries and savory dishes. This salad is the perfect combination for me. I used cherry tomatoes, toasted pecans, salty feta with orange citrus-balsamic and it was delicious! I started a food blog and referenced your recipe
Thank you for your inspiration and great recipe!
Andrea
This is my new favorite strawberry salad!! Absolutely loved it!
Jen
I made this exactly as written, and it was incredible! So many flavors – it was one of the best salads I’ve ever had.
Jessica
My husband and I had this for dinner last night and WOW it was incredible! The arugula pairs perfectly with the strawberry, jalapeno and goat cheese (who knew?!)! Thanks Kate for this recipe – it is a keeper!!
Kate
Thank you for letting me know you loved it, Jessica!
Melissa
This was a fantastic salad and very easy and quick to throw together after work. I can’t wait to have leftovers for lunch this week! Thanks for sharing a great recipe
Valerie
Delicious! The spice of the chile pepper with the peppery arugula, then balanced by the sweet strawberries and creamy goat cheese, YUM. Another winner from C+K to add to the rotation!
Kate
I’m glad you loved it, Valerie! Thank you for sharing.
Gayle
Oh my gosh! This salad is so tasty that even though I am fully stuffed I want to keep eating more! I forgot to buy roasted sunflower seeds so I used roasted salted cashews instead and because I eat vegan I used the avocado which I splashed some fresh lemon juice on. I served it with a side sandwich and for dessert fresh cantaloupe. I have passed this recipe onto at least three people and I just finished eating it about two hours ago. I have a few more friends to pass this recipe along to also! Thank you Cookie and Kate! I’m Just coming out of 4+ yrs PTSD related to the kitchen and so having such a delicious recipe just helps me make further progress in the right direction! Bless you all!
Nikki
Made this tonight; loved it! Another winner, Kate!
Allison
I loved the balsamic vinaigrette recipe! I have followed dozens of your recipes. I substituted grapefruit for the strawberries, since I didn’t have the berries and added chopped almonds. This recipe was wonderful! Thank you!!!
Kate
You’re welcome! Thank you for your comment, Allison. I’m glad you loved it and other C+K recipes. :)
Bella
The dressing was incredibly refreshing! Just had this as a winter salad (our local grocer received a case of California strawberries – real treat) and it was so satisfying. Thank you for sharing!
Laz
This was delicious! Amazing combination of flavors! Thank you!
Sarah
This is a fantastic salad – all of the flavors and textures make for an amazing meal, and it’s easy! I feel what really carries it though, is the dressing. My five year old daughter gave the dressing a thumbs up, asked for three helpings of lettuce and told me she would be very upset if I used all of the dressing and there wasn’t any left for her!!
Kate
I love that! Thank you for sharing, Sarah.
Celina
I made this salad for lunch and my husband literally said that this is his favourite salad I’ve ever made – and I make salad everyday. Thank you for this deliciousness!
Kate
You’re welcome, Celina! I’m glad it’s a favorite.
hawraa al ali
I made this salad for my parents and siblings and they loved it! They even put seconds when they were done,I would totally do this recipe again it’s super delicious!
Kate
Wonderful! Thank you for sharing.
Lori
Kate, searched your site for a strawberry salad. I only used spinach, strawberries, and croutons with your amazing dressing (I forgot to add avocado). It was the HIT of our first meal with guests since we are all now vaccinated. Thank you for making a special meal even more special.
Kate
That’s great to hear, Lori! Thank you for your review.
Christine
I’m making this salad for the 4th time in about 3 weeks since I discovered it. It’s amazing. My daughter who claims to not like salads said she could eat a bucket of this. So refreshing and the dressing is perfect. I halve the recipe, but not the goat cheese or jalepenos! :). I’m thinking of trying with toasted pine nuts instead of sunflower seeds next time. The first time I used salted pepitas since I had some on hand. Those were great too.
Kate
I love that, Christine! Thank you for taking the time to review.
HS
Hi Kate!
I’ve made this recipe several times and suddenly realized I hadn’t left a review. Boy, this salad is perfect! Even my arugula/goat cheese loathing husband plowed into it. I did substitute cotija cheese for the goat cheese in deference to his tastes, but I didn’t change a thing otherwise.
The textures all stand out from one another and the flavors just build on each other for a delicious and original combination. One thing I love about your recipes (besides the fact that they’re always successful), is that if I have to change one ingredient to accommodate individual preferences, the food still tastes wonderful. Thank you!
Kate
Thank you for leaving a review! I’m delighted you loved it.
Big Ray
YAS this salad is heaven! I put extra crumbled goat cheese and I was transported to paradise. Please keep up the good work!
Kate
Thank you!
William Edgar
Grrr. Recipe calls for sunflower seeds but it’s the kernel that is needed. ☹️
Kate
Hi William, you can use another nut or seed if you like.
Helen
Hello,
The salad dressing is delicious and very tasty !!! Thank you for the recipe.
Suzanne
This salad is a staple in my house year round, however, it is even more deliciousduring strawberry season. The spicy and sweet is spot on and the dressing is outstanding–as per usual. Thank you C+ K!
Kate
You’re welcome, Suzanne! I’m excited you love this salad. It’s so good!
Joan K
Loved this recipe.
Kate
Thank you for your review, Joan!
Susan
This salad was amazing! I used feta because I didn’t have goat cheese or the peppers.
Angel
This was AMAZING. Looked and tasted like a fancy restaurant salad! I was so proud to serve it at dinner. We ate the whole bowl. I followed your recipe exactly and it was perfect.
Kate
Hooray! I love to hear that.
Noelle
This was incredible! The flavor combination is perfection and everyone even my two girls gobbled it up.
Stephanie Z
Just made this salad and two of us ate the entire thing. It’s beautiful to look at, but even more importantly, the flavor combination is just amazing. Followed the recipe exactly and I wouldn’t change a thing except to make a double batch if making for a group. And perhaps add more basil or maybe even mint next time. I love salads that combine things you wouldn’t normally think to serve together! This salad is my new obsession. Thanks for yet another winning salad recipe.
Kate
I’m glad it was a hit, Stephanie!
Kelly Beringer
Amazing salad, it did not last long on our table! Will be a weekly addition in strawberry season. Thanks Kate!
Kate
You’re welcome, Kelly! Thank you for your review.
Shannon Roux-Pitts
I really enjoyed this salad. Very interesting combination of ingredients. Plan to make it again.
I have made several of your salads and other dishes and have enjoyed them all.
Kate
Thank you! I’m excited you enjoyed it, Shannon.
Calista
This was delicious! I served this alongside a grilled pork tenderloin with habanero peach salsa and corn-on-the-cob, and it got RAVE reviews from my guests. They asked for the recipe! It was so good, thank you for the recipe!
Kate
You’re welcome, Calista! I appreciate your review.
kylebee
This salad is AMAZING! With berries in season for the summer, we couldn’t get enough of it. It tastes like a salad you would spend $$ on in a restaurant. I make it with a little chicken to get some protein in there but you don’t need it.
Natalie Louis
Such an interesting combination of ingredients. Loved the sweet with hints of spicy. I subbed sunflower seeds for pepitas, and parmesan for the cheese because that’s what I had on hand and added dried basil to the dressing because I didn’t have enough fresh basil. Thanks for another winner!
Kate
You’re welcome, Natalie!
Ashley
I always love Kate’s salad recipes, but this one has to be my all-time fave! It was so good I had to come back and write a review. I made it for Easter and it was a hit. I used strawberry balsamic from a local shop and pistachios instead of sunflower seeds since it was what I had on hand. I wasn’t sure about the jalapeno, but it was so unexpectedly perfect in this. Delicious!
Carol
Delicious! I will make it again, many times.
Kate
That’s great to hear, Carol!
Dawn
Love love love your recipes! So fresh & flavorful! Your cookbook is beautiful and it is my favorite housewarming gift to give. Thank you!!
Patty Eilers
I was curious how this would taste with the fresh jalapeno. The combination of the basil and jalapeno was subtle but delightful. This is a keeper recipe. Thank you for such great recipes using common and fresh ingredients. I have recommended your website to several people.
Alyssa
This is incredible! So flavorful! Best salad I’ve ever had!
Martha
This was so good! I forgot to add the basil, but it was still really flavorful. I was skeptical about the jalapeno and if the spice would mesh with the sweet flavors. But it was delicious! Will make again!
Kate
That’s great to hear, Martha!
Meghan
This was absolutely delicious! Served it with roast pork loin and it was a wonderful meal.
Marissa
Made this tonight and it was a huge hit! It was delish and I will be making it again soon! I know I can always count on your recipes to be out of this world! Every recipe I’ve made of yours has been outstanding and this is no exception. Thank you!!
Kate
You’re welcome, Marissa!