If you’re craving something bright, fresh, and bursting with flavor, this Strawberry Avocado Salad Recipe is an absolute must-try. It’s a brilliant mix of juicy strawberries, creamy avocado, crunchy pecans, and tangy feta all bundled with a luscious poppy seed dressing that ties everything together perfectly. Whether you want a light lunch, a stunning side dish, or a showstopper salad for your next gathering, this recipe brings together a harmony of colors, textures, and tastes that will have you coming back for more.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is half the fun and guarantee of success here. Each element in this salad plays an essential role, contributing vibrant colors, contrasting textures, and layers of flavor that make this salad so memorable.
- Spring mix salad greens: A fresh, tender base that adds volume and mild greens flavor.
- Strawberries: Sweet and juicy, they infuse the salad with bursts of vibrant color and natural sweetness.
- Avocado: Creamy and rich, offering a buttery texture that complements the crispness of the greens.
- Feta cheese: Crumbled for a salty, tangy bite that balances the sweetness of the strawberries.
- Pecans: Toasted to bring out their nutty flavor and provide delightful crunch.
- Olive oil: A smooth, fruity base that helps in emulsifying the dressing.
- Red wine vinegar: Adds bright acidity that sharpens the salad’s overall flavors.
- Honey (optional): Just a touch for natural sweetness to mellow the vinegar.
- Poppy seeds: Tiny bursts of nutty flavor and a beautiful speckled texture in the dressing.
- Ground mustard: Offers subtle warmth and complexity to the dressing.
- Salt and pepper: Simple seasonings that bring all the flavors together perfectly.
How to Make Strawberry Avocado Salad Recipe
Step 1: Toast the Pecans
Start by warming up a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped pecans and toss them around for about 3 to 4 minutes. Keep an eye on them and stir frequently—once they become fragrant and just lightly browned, remove the skillet from the heat. Toasting the pecans brings out their rich nutty aroma and enhances their crunch, making your salad extra special.
Step 2: Combine the Fresh Ingredients
In a big salad bowl, pile in your fresh spring mix, juicy strawberries that have been quartered or sliced, creamy diced avocado, crumbled feta cheese, and the warm toasted pecans. This vibrant medley is the heart of your salad, so use a large enough bowl to toss everything gently without bruising those delicate berries or mashing the avocado.
Step 3: Whisk Up the Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, honey if you’re using it, poppy seeds, ground mustard, plus a pinch of salt and pepper. This dressing is simple but incredible — the honey smooths out the acidity of the vinegar, while the poppy seeds and mustard add a subtle complexity that makes every bite memorable.
Step 4: Dress and Toss
Pour your homemade dressing over the salad bowl and gently toss everything to coat all the ingredients evenly. Be tender with the toss to keep the avocado intact and to ensure every bite gets a perfect balance of the rich, tangy dressing and the fresh ingredients.
How to Serve Strawberry Avocado Salad Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a few thoughtful garnishes can elevate your Strawberry Avocado Salad Recipe to next-level presentation. Sprinkle extra crumbled feta or chopped pecans on top just before serving for added texture and a beautiful look. A few fresh mint leaves or basil also complement the flavors and add a refreshing touch.
Side Dishes
This salad pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken or seafood if you want to turn it into a full meal. For a vegetarian option, serve alongside warm crusty bread or quinoa salad. The light and fresh character of the salad balances rich or savory sides perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider serving your salad in individual clear bowls or wide glasses to showcase the colorful layers of greens, strawberries, avocado, and cheese. Another fun idea is to stuff the salad into hollowed-out avocado halves or place it atop crisp crostini for a fancy appetizer twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers, store the salad and dressing separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The salad ingredients will stay fresh if undressed, but avocado may brown slightly over time, so try to enjoy it within a day.
Freezing
Since this salad is full of fresh ingredients like avocado and greens, freezing is not recommended. The texture and flavor of the salad will degrade, especially the avocado, strawberries, and greens.
Reheating
This salad is best served cold or at room temperature, so reheating is not suggested. If any warmth is desired, pair the salad with a warm side dish rather than heating the salad itself.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries in this Strawberry Avocado Salad Recipe?
Fresh strawberries are ideal here because frozen berries release water and can make the salad soggy. If you must use frozen, thaw and drain them very well before adding.
Is there a substitute for feta cheese?
Absolutely! Goat cheese or queso fresco work well as tangy alternatives, or omit cheese completely for a dairy-free option.
Can I make the dressing ahead of time?
Yes, the dressing can be whisked up to 3 days in advance and stored in the fridge. Just give it a quick whisk or shake before serving as ingredients may separate.
What’s the best way to dice avocado for this salad?
Peel and remove the pit, then cut the avocado flesh into bite-sized chunks. Handle gently to avoid mashing, and if possible, prepare it last to prevent browning.
Can I add other fruits to this salad?
Definitely! Blueberries or mandarin orange segments pair beautifully and add even more freshness and color to your Strawberry Avocado Salad Recipe.
Final Thoughts
This Strawberry Avocado Salad Recipe has quickly become one of my absolute favorite salads to make and share. It’s an effortless crowd-pleaser that brings joy through its harmonious blend of flavors and textures. Whether for a sunny lunch, dinner side, or lovely picnic addition, I promise once you try it, it will find a permanent spot in your recipe collection. So go ahead, grab those fresh ingredients, and enjoy creating something truly delicious!
Print
Strawberry Avocado Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A refreshing and vibrant Strawberry Avocado Salad featuring a mix of spring greens, sweet strawberries, creamy avocado, crunchy toasted pecans, and tangy feta cheese, all tossed in a flavorful homemade poppy seed dressing.
Ingredients
Salad
- 6 cups spring mix salad greens
- 3 cups strawberries, quartered or sliced
- 2 avocados, diced
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
- 1/8 teaspoon ground mustard
- Pinch of salt and pepper, or more to taste
Instructions
- Toast Pecans: Add chopped pecans to a large skillet over medium heat. Toss continuously for 3-4 minutes until they become fragrant and lightly toasted. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- Assemble Salad: In a large salad bowl, combine the spring mix salad greens, sliced strawberries, diced avocado, crumbled feta cheese, and toasted pecans.
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, honey (if using), poppy seeds, ground mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined and emulsified.
- Toss Salad: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss gently to evenly coat all components with the dressing. Serve immediately for best freshness.
Notes
- For a nut-free version, omit pecans or substitute with pumpkin seeds.
- Honey is optional and can be omitted for a more tangy dressing or replaced with maple syrup for vegan option.
- Toast the pecans carefully to avoid burning; they should be warm and fragrant.
- Use ripe but firm avocados to keep diced pieces from becoming mushy in the salad.
- This salad is best served fresh to maintain avocado texture and color.
