When the sun is shining and you are craving a highly vibrant, refreshing, and incredibly nutritious side dish that bursts with seasonal sweetness, this Fresh Strawberry Blueberry Salad is the absolute ultimate dinnertime lifesaver. This breathtakingly gorgeous salad takes crisp, peppery mixed greens and tosses them with massive, juicy strawberries, plump blueberries, rich crumbled feta cheese, and candied pecans, all completely drizzled in a highly addictive, tangy homemade balsamic vinaigrette.
Finding a wholesome, deeply flavorful salad that looks elegant enough for a massive 4th of July party but is fast enough for a busy Tuesday night can be a challenge. If your family typically complains about boring, dry side salads, the bright berry flavors and magnificent crunch of this vibrant dish will get them sprinting to the table before you even finish tossing it.
Whether you need a brilliant, light side dish for a heavy summer barbecue, a gorgeous centerpiece for a spring brunch, or a highly portable option for your daily work lunches, this Strawberry Blueberry Salad delivers absolute perfection and massive flavor in every single bite.
Why This Salad Recipe Works So Well
The true brilliance of this mouthwatering salad lies in its magnificent contrast of bold textures and its beautifully balanced sweet and savory flavor profile. The dressing—a simple but highly essential blend of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, a touch of honey, and Dijon mustard—provides a silky, tangy coating that perfectly cuts through the earthy flavor of the fresh greens.
Furthermore, the addition of the juicy summer berries acts as a brilliant flavor bridge. Their bright, sunny sweetness perfectly complements the creamy, salty bite of the crumbled feta (or goat cheese!), while the toasted or candied pecans provide that deeply satisfying, highly essential crunch.
If you absolutely love brilliant, fresh side dishes that yield restaurant quality results in under 10 minutes and completely celebrate the best produce of the summer, this classic, highly versatile recipe will completely upgrade your weekly meal rotation!
Essential Ingredients
You only need a massive bowl of fresh greens and a few very basic pantry staples to pull this highly addictive salad together.
For the Salad Base:
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Mixed Greens: One large box (about 5-6 ounces) of spring mix, baby spinach, or arugula. Be sure it is thoroughly washed and completely dried so the dressing clings to the leaves perfectly.
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Strawberries: One heaping cup of fresh strawberries, hulled and thickly sliced.
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Blueberries: One heaping cup of fresh, plump blueberries. (Always use fresh berries, never frozen, so they don’t bleed and turn the salad into a soggy mess!)
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Feta or Goat Cheese: A third of a cup of crumbled feta or goat cheese adds a phenomenal, creamy, and salty contrast to the sweet fruit.
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Pecans or Walnuts: Half a cup of chopped pecans. (Pro tip: use candied pecans or walnuts for an even bigger, sweeter crunch!)
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Red Onion (Optional): A few incredibly thin slices of red onion for a sharp, savory bite.
For the Tangy Balsamic Vinaigrette:
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Olive Oil: One third cup of high quality extra virgin olive oil forms the silky base.
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Balsamic Vinegar: Three tablespoons to provide that highly essential, deep tanginess.
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Honey or Maple Syrup: One tablespoon to perfectly sweeten the dressing and balance the vinegar.
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Dijon Mustard: Just one teaspoon acts as an emulsifier to keep the oil and vinegar from separating.
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Salt and Pepper: A pinch of kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
Step by Step Instructions
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Prep the Greens and Fruit: Place the thoroughly washed and dried mixed greens into a massive serving bowl. Gently wash and thoroughly dry your strawberries and blueberries. Hull and slice the strawberries.
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Add the Mix ins: Top the greens with the fresh berries, thinly sliced red onion, chopped pecans, and the crumbled feta cheese.
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Whisk the Dressing: In a separate small bowl (or a mason jar with a tight fitting lid), vigorously whisk or shake together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until the dressing is completely smooth, emulsified, and slightly thickened.
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Toss to Combine: Just before serving, pour the sweet and tangy balsamic vinaigrette directly over the berry mixture. (Start with half the dressing and add more as needed so you don’t drown the greens!)
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Serve: Use large salad tongs to gently toss everything together until every single leaf is beautifully coated in the dressing. Serve immediately for maximum crunch!
Fresh Strawberry Blueberry Salad
Ingredients
- 6 oz mixed greens, baby spinach, or arugula
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1/3 cup feta or goat cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion, very thinly sliced optional
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 pinch kosher salt and black pepper
Instructions
- Place the thoroughly washed and dried mixed greens into a large serving bowl.
- Top the greens with the sliced strawberries, fresh blueberries, chopped pecans or walnuts, thinly sliced red onion, and crumbled feta or goat cheese.
- In a small bowl or a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper.
- Whisk or shake vigorously until the dressing is completely smooth and emulsified.
- Just before serving, drizzle the balsamic dressing over the salad, starting with half and adding more as desired.
- Gently toss the salad with large tongs until all ingredients are lightly coated. Serve immediately.
Notes
What to Serve With Strawberry Blueberry Salad
Because this salad is incredibly light, bright, and perfectly sweet and savory, it pairs absolutely beautifully with highly savory, rich handheld main courses. Serve this cool, vibrant salad alongside massive BBQ Chicken Coleslaw Wraps or messy, deeply flavorful Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes to perfectly balance the rich sauces on your dinner plate.
If you are hosting a fun, casual weekend gathering and want to offer a wide variety of flavors, this berry salad is the ultimate fresh contrast to towering Chicken Parmesan Sliders or a massive platter of spicy Cheesy Rotel Beef Tacos!
Looking to build the absolute ultimate summer salad bar for a neighborhood potluck? Pair this gorgeous berry salad with a deeply cooling Pickled Cucumber, Onion, and Bell Pepper Salad and a highly vibrant Sweet Spinach Salad with Mandarin Oranges!
And of course, no summer party is complete without a massive sweet treat. Follow up this fresh side dish with a deeply nostalgic, creamy Strawberry Crackle Salad!
(Bonus tip: Got weekend guests staying over? Treat them the very next morning with an incredibly fast, viral breakfast of Cinnamon Roll Waffles with Cream Cheese!)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this salad ahead of time? You can definitely prep the components ahead of time! Place the greens, berries, and onions in your serving bowl, and whisk the dressing together in a jar. Keep them completely separate in the refrigerator. Do not add the nuts, cheese, or dressing until right before you are ready to eat, otherwise, the delicate greens will become completely soggy.
What other dressing works with this salad? If you aren’t a fan of balsamic vinegar, a homemade poppyseed dressing or a bright lemon vinaigrette are absolutely brilliant substitutions that perfectly complement the fresh summer berries!
Can I use frozen berries in a pinch? Absolutely not! Frozen berries release a massive amount of water and juice as they thaw, which will completely ruin the texture of the crisp greens and turn your beautiful salad into a wet, purple mess. Always use fresh produce for green salads.