This Strawberry Feta Salad is fresh, vibrant and full-flavored! It’s made with juicy strawberries, salty feta and candied hazelnuts tossed in a big bowl of leafy greens then dressed in a bright and tangy shallot vinaigrette.
✔️Sweet, juicy strawberries
✔️Creamy, salty feta
✔️Crunchy, candied hazelnuts.
✔️Tangy, fruity shallot vinaigrette
It’s a delicious harmony of fresh ingredients with sweet, salty and tangy flavors all tossed together in a big ol’ bowl of salad greens.
Who wants some?!
Strawberry Feta Salad Steps
The ingredient list and recipe steps may look a bit lengthy at first glance.
Don’t be fooled! I promise this is actually quite a simple salad to throw together!
To make it easy, let’s break down the process into 3 stages:
- Vinaigrette: Mix until combined.
- Candied nuts: All you need is a touch of water and sugar in a small pan. Once cooled, they’ll harden into delicious candied pieces.
- Salad assembly: Toss all the salad ingredients together in a large bowl one last time: sweet strawberries, tangy feta and fresh greens.
Homemade Dressing
Like most vinaigrettes, this is a super simple dressing to prepare! Combine all the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl or cup and whisk tother until combined. Or, mix it in a small mason jar by securing the lid and giving it a good shake.
Taste and season as you see fit. Add more sugar or a touch of honey if you want it sweeter. An extra teaspoon of mustard will add a bit more spice. Salt will enhance the flavor of pretty much everything and pepper goes in for good measure.
The end result? A delicious, sharp, sweet and tangy dressing!
Candied Hazelnuts
Sweet, salty and made in no time!
Simply combine water and sugar and heat in a sauce pan for a few minutes. Since we’re working with such small amounts (only 2 tablespoons each) this ‘caramel’ cooks up in about 5 minutes.
Once the sugar mixture cooks down into a syrupy glaze, stir in a bit of salt and pepper followed by the chopped nuts.
After mixing, spread the hazelnuts out on a piece of parchment paper for a minutes to cool and set.
Customise Your Strawberry Feta Salad
This really is a lovely, filling salad as is. That being said you can absolutely add your own personal twist and transform this strawberry feta salad with a few possible additions or substitutions.
In case you need a little inspiration, here are a few ideas to get you going:
Additions
- Crisp cucumber diced up will add a satisfying crunch.
- Fresh herbs like sliced basil and mint elevate the natural sweetness of strawberry. Add a small handful of fresh mint or basil for an extra delicious summer salad.
- Sliced red onions is great for adding a sharp contrast to the sweet berries and creamy feta cheese.
- Protein: Add slices of grilled, pan fried or baked chicken breast for a more filling meal. Alternatively, add chickpeas for a plant-based option with extra fiber!
Substitutions
- Vinegar: Swap out the red wine vinegar for a good balsamic vinegar. Balsamic vinegar is sweeter and richer than red wine vinegar. It has a more mellow flavor compared to red wine vinegars sharp, tangy flavor. It will also make for a darker salad dressing.
- Nuts: Instead of hazelnuts, use chopped walnuts or crunchy pecans. Add sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds if you can’t do nuts.
- For a nut free alternative you might like to try these Cinnamon Spiced Roasted Pepitas!
- Cheese: Instead of salty feta cheese, try goat cheese or bleu cheese. Goat cheese is similar to feta, but it’s typically a little less salty and more mild. Add blue cheese if you like a funky flavor.
Enjoy!
Don’t forget to rate this strawberry feta salad and leave a comment below if you try it out. I always appreciate the feedback – especially when you share what changes you may have made. It also helps future readers who are thinking of making the recipe!
Strawberry Feta Salad with Candied Hazelnuts
Sweet, juicy strawberries mixed with salty feta and candied hazelnuts tossed in a bright and tangy shallot vinaigrette!
Ingredients
Vinaigrette
- 1 large shallot, finely diced (about 3 tablespoons)
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar (45ml)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (30 ml)
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil (80 ml)
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar or 1 tablespoon honey/maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper, each + more to taste
Candied Hazelnuts
- 1/2 cup whole, skinless hazelnuts roughly chopped (75 g)
- 2 tablespoons water (30 ml)
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar (32g)
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt + course ground black pepper, each
Salad
- 9 oz salad greens (260g)
- 2 cups strawberries, hulled and sliced (340g)
- 4 oz crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
Vinaigrette
- In a small cup or jar combine the vinaigrette ingredients. Whisk together until fully combined. Set aside while you prepare the salad. This will allow time for the shallots to soften.
Hazelnuts
- Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper. Spray with a light coat of oil and set aside.
- Add the 2 tablespoons water and sugar to a small sauce pan and mix together.
- Place over a medium-high heat and bring to a simmer. Leave to gently simmer for 3-5 minutes until the water and sugar form a thick caramel.
- Turn off the heat. Use a metal spoon to stir in the salt and pepper. Mix in the chopped hazelnuts.
- Tip the hazelnut mixture on to the lined baking sheet and spread out. Let sit about five minutes to cool and set before adding them to the salad.
Salad
- In a large salad bowl combine the leafy greens, sliced strawberries, crumbled feta and candied hazelnuts.
- Pour the prepared vinaigrette over the salad and toss until everything is well coated in the dressing. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed and enjoy fresh.
Notes
- Salad Greens: I used a mix of spinach and arugula (rocket) but feel free to use what you like here. All spinach, all arugula or another leafy green altogether.
- Vinaigrette: Prepare in advance if desired. This vinaigrette will keep at least a week stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Keep stored in the fridge until ready to use. Mix well before using.
- Storage & Prep: Wait to add the vinaigrette until just before serving. Leftover salad will only keep up to one day.
Nutrition Information
Serving Size:
1 Calories: 371Total Fat: 27gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 536mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 4gSugar: 21gProtein: 7gMore Summer Salad Recipes to Check Out
If you like this strawberry feta salad you might also like some of these other summer salads as well!
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