You know that one salad you make once—and then you’re suddenly making it every week? Yeah, this Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad with Hot Honey Almonds and Honey Balsamic Dressing is that salad.
It’s the perfect mix of sweet, tangy, creamy, and crunchy. The strawberries give it brightness, the goat cheese adds that creamy tang, and the hot honey almonds? Chef’s kiss. They take just a few minutes to toast up and completely elevate the whole thing.
This is the kind of salad you bring to a summer picnic or throw together for a quick weeknight dinner when you want something a little fancy but still easy.
Sweet strawberries, creamy goat cheese, crunchy hot honey almonds, and a tangy-sweet balsamic dressing all come together in a way that feels like summer in a bowl. It’s fancy enough to serve for guests, but simple enough to throw together on a weeknight. Plus, it pairs perfectly with something warm and cozy like my beet risotto—seriously, that combo is a vibe.
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 50/50 blend of spinach and arugula
Fresh strawberries, sliced - Goat cheese crumbles
- Slivered almonds
- Hot honey (for drizzling)
For the dressing:
- Balsamic vinegar
- Honey
How to Make Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad
- Caramelize the almonds
You have two options here depending on what you feel like doing—both are super easy:- Oven method (hands-off and simple): Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper, add slivered almonds, and drizzle generously with hot honey. Give them a quick toss to coat evenly. Bake for 8–10 minutes or until golden and fragrant. Keep a close eye—nuts can go from golden to burned real fast! Let them cool completely; they’ll get crunchy as they cool.
- Stovetop method (quick and toasty): Add the almonds to a dry skillet over medium heat and drizzle with hot honey. Stir frequently and toast until golden and caramelized, about 4–6 minutes. Spread them on parchment to cool and crisp up.
- Oven method (hands-off and simple): Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper, add slivered almonds, and drizzle generously with hot honey. Give them a quick toss to coat evenly. Bake for 8–10 minutes or until golden and fragrant. Keep a close eye—nuts can go from golden to burned real fast! Let them cool completely; they’ll get crunchy as they cool.
- Make the best dressing for strawberry salad: Whisk together equal parts balsamic vinegar and honey in a small bowl or jar. That’s it. If you want it a little thicker, you can warm it slightly or add a splash of olive oil to mellow it out.
- Assemble the salad: Add your spinach and arugula to a large serving bowl. Top with sliced strawberries, crumbled goat cheese, and your hot honey almonds. Drizzle with the honey balsamic dressing just before serving and toss gently if desired.
Recipe card
Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad
Ingredients
- 50/50 blend of spinach and arugula
- Fresh strawberries sliced
- Goat cheese crumbles
- Slivered almonds
- Hot honey for drizzling
- For the dressing:
- Balsamic vinegar
- Honey
Instructions
- Caramelize the almonds:You have two options here depending on what you feel like doing—both are super easy:
- Oven method (hands-off and simple): Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper, add slivered almonds, and drizzle generously with hot honey. Give them a quick toss to coat evenly. Bake for 8–10 minutes or until golden and fragrant. Keep a close eye—nuts can go from golden to burned real fast! Let them cool completely; they’ll get crunchy as they cool.
- Stovetop method (quick and toasty): Add the almonds to a dry skillet over medium heat and drizzle with hot honey. Stir frequently and toast until golden and caramelized, about 4–6 minutes. Spread them on parchment to cool and crisp up.
- Make the best dressing for strawberry salad: Whisk together equal parts balsamic vinegar and honey in a small bowl or jar. That’s it. If you want it a little thicker, you can warm it slightly or add a splash of olive oil to mellow it out.
- Assemble the salad: Add your spinach and arugula to a large serving bowl. Top with sliced strawberries, crumbled goat cheese, and your hot honey almonds. Drizzle with the honey balsamic dressing just before serving and toss gently if desired.
Why You’ll Love This Salad
- It’s got all the textures – creamy, crisp, juicy, and crunchy in every bite.
Sweet + spicy combo – the hot honey almonds take this to the next level. - Fast and flexible – toss it together in under 15 minutes, and make it your own with protein add-ons or swaps.
- Perfect pairings – this salad plays well with cozy meals like soup, risotto, or even grilled chicken. Try it with this beet risotto for a stunning color contrast and flavor combo.
FAQ
Can I use regular honey instead of hot honey?
Absolutely. If you’re not into spice, regular honey works just fine. You could also add a pinch of chili flakes to regular honey for a mild heat.
What’s a good substitute for goat cheese?
Feta is a great option! It has a similar tanginess and crumbles easily.
Can I make this ahead of time?
You can prep all the components in advance, but wait to dress the salad until you’re ready to serve so the greens don’t wilt.
