If you are searching for a salad that bursts with flavor, texture, and a touch of elegance, the Strawberry Crunch Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette Recipe is exactly what you need. This delightful salad combines sweet, tangy, and crunchy elements in perfect harmony, offering a fresh bite of summer with the peppery bite of arugula, creamy avocado, and the irresistibly crunchy sweetness of candied almonds. Topped with a luscious champagne vinaigrette, it turns any meal into a celebration of colors and tastes that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each component of this salad is carefully chosen to enhance flavor, texture, and visual appeal. From the crispness of arugula to the creamy softness of goat cheese, the ingredients are simple yet indispensable in building this vibrant dish.
- Sliced or slivered almonds: Toasted with sugar for a perfectly crunchy and sweet topping that elevates the salad.
- Sugar: Helps caramelize the almonds, adding a delightful crunch and sweetness.
- Arugula greens: Offers a peppery bite that balances the sweetness of strawberries and almonds.
- Strawberries: Fresh and juicy, providing a burst of natural sweetness and color.
- Avocado: Adds creaminess and a rich texture that complements the crisp greens.
- Goat cheese: Crumbled for a tangy, smooth layer of flavor that ties the salad together.
- Roasted, salted pistachios: Chopped for an added salty crunch with a unique nutty flavor.
- Champagne vinegar: Forms the elegant base of the vinaigrette, lending a delicate acidity.
- Lemon juice: Brightens the vinaigrette with fresh citrus notes.
- Honey: Balances the tanginess with natural sweetness.
- Dijon mustard: Adds a subtle sharpness and emulsifies the vinaigrette.
- Fresh garlic: Provides a mild pungency to deepen the salad’s flavor profile.
- Kosher salt and pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance all ingredients.
- Olive oil: Brings richness and a silky texture to the vinaigrette dressing.
How to Make Strawberry Crunch Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette Recipe
Step 1: Toast the Almonds
Begin this recipe with a fun and rewarding step: toasting the almonds. Place your sliced or slivered almonds in a nonstick skillet, sprinkle with sugar, and cook on medium heat. Stir frequently to avoid burning, and watch as the sugar melts and coats every almond, transforming them into crisp, caramelized bites. Transfer them immediately to parchment paper to cool and set. This step is crucial because those almonds add the signature crunch that makes this salad unforgettable.
Step 2: Prepare the Champagne Vinaigrette
While the almonds cool, it’s time to whip up the champagne vinaigrette. In a bowl or jar, combine champagne vinegar, fresh lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, grated garlic, kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Slowly drizzle in olive oil as you whisk vigorously to create a silky, well-emulsified dressing. The champagne vinegar’s light acidity paired with honey’s sweetness and mustard’s bite makes this vinaigrette a beautifully balanced companion for the salad.
Step 3: Assemble the Salad
Next, gather your fresh ingredients. In a large bowl, mix the peppery arugula, juicy chopped strawberries, creamy avocado chunks, crumbled goat cheese, and salty roasted pistachios. These components create a dynamic range of flavors and textures, from soft and creamy to crunchy and fresh. Once your candied almonds have cooled down, add them to this vibrant mix, ensuring every bite will have that satisfying crunch.
Step 4: Dress and Toss
Just before serving, drizzle the prepared champagne vinaigrette all over the salad. Toss gently, making sure each leaf and ingredient is lightly coated without bruising the delicate berries or mashing the avocado. For an extra touch, add some additional crumbled goat cheese or pistachios on top for presentation and flavor layering. This final step brings everything together, highlighting the freshness and complexity of the dish.
How to Serve Strawberry Crunch Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette Recipe
Garnishes
For a show-stopping presentation, consider sprinkling a few extra candied almonds or pistachios on top. A few whole strawberries or thin slices of avocado laid artfully across the top also add visual interest and invite guests to dig in. Freshly cracked black pepper or a tiny drizzle of vinaigrette can fine-tune the flavors right before serving.
Side Dishes
This salad pairs beautifully with light and fresh main dishes such as grilled chicken, seared salmon, or even a delicate pasta primavera. It also works wonderfully alongside a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a sparkling rosé to complement the champagne vinaigrette.
Creative Ways to Present
Try layering the salad ingredients in a clear glass trifle dish for a stunning visual effect at a party, or serve the salad in individual clear bowls so every guest can appreciate those vibrant colors. Another fun idea is to stuff ripe avocados with the salad mixture for an elegant appetizer or side serving that feels special and festive.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftovers, store the salad components and vinaigrette separately to keep everything fresh. Keep the almonds in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their crunch, and refrigerate the greens and chopped ingredients in a sealed container. Toss everything together only when ready to serve.
Freezing
This salad is best enjoyed fresh and does not freeze well. Freezing will alter the texture of the strawberries, avocado, and arugula, making the salad mushy and watery upon thawing. Focus on fresh preparation for optimal enjoyment.
Reheating
Since this is a fresh, cold salad, reheating is not recommended. Instead, enjoy it chilled or at room temperature to keep the ingredients and dressing vibrant and full of character. If desired, allow the salad to sit for a few minutes after tossing for flavors to meld perfectly.
FAQs
Can I use other nuts instead of almonds and pistachios?
Absolutely! Walnuts, pecans, or even hazelnuts can be excellent substitutes. Just toast them with sugar similarly to maintain that sweet crunch. Be mindful of the flavor profiles to keep the balance perfect.
Is there a substitute for champagne vinegar?
If you don’t have champagne vinegar on hand, a mild white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar can work. Just use a little less and adjust honey to maintain the vinaigrette’s sweet and tangy balance.
Can this salad be made vegan?
Yes! Simply omit the goat cheese or substitute it with a vegan cheese alternative or toasted nutritional yeast for a hint of cheesiness without dairy.
How long does the champagne vinaigrette keep?
The vinaigrette can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week in a sealed container or jar. Shake or whisk before using, as natural separation may occur.
Is it necessary to toast the almonds with sugar?
While you can use plain toasted almonds, the candied almonds add a delightful sweetness and crunch that elevates the salad significantly. It’s one of those small steps that makes a big difference.
Final Thoughts
I promise you, once you try this Strawberry Crunch Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette Recipe, it will become a go-to whenever you crave something fresh, light, and full of personality. The combination of flavors and textures feels like a celebration in every bite, and it’s surprisingly easy to put together. Give it a try, and watch it brighten your table and mood alike!
Print
Strawberry Crunch Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 23 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Strawberry Crunch Salad Celebration is a vibrant and refreshing dish perfect for spring and summer gatherings. It combines peppery arugula with sweet and tart strawberries, creamy avocado, tangy goat cheese, and crunchy nuts, all brought together with a delicate champagne vinaigrette and homemade candied almonds for an irresistible crunch.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- â…” cup sliced or slivered almonds
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 10 oz arugula greens
- 8 oz strawberries, hulled and chopped or quartered
- 1 avocado, chopped
- 2 oz crumbled goat cheese
- â…“ cup roasted, salted pistachios, chopped
For the Champagne Vinaigrette:
- 3 tbsp champagne vinegar
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, freshly grated
- Pinch of kosher salt & pepper
- ½ cup olive oil
Instructions
- Toast the Almonds: In a nonstick skillet over medium heat, combine the sliced or slivered almonds and sugar. Stir frequently to prevent burning. Cook for 6-8 minutes until the sugar melts and coats the almonds evenly, creating a crunchy candied almond topping. Transfer the almonds to parchment paper to cool completely.
- Make the Vinaigrette: In a bowl or jar, whisk together champagne vinegar, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, freshly grated garlic, kosher salt, and freshly ground pepper. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking continuously until the mixture emulsifies into a smooth and flavorful vinaigrette.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, combine the arugula greens, chopped strawberries, chopped avocado, crumbled goat cheese, and chopped roasted pistachios. Once the candied almonds have cooled, add them to the salad bowl.
- Dress and Toss: Just before serving, drizzle the prepared champagne vinaigrette over the salad. Gently toss the salad to coat all ingredients evenly without bruising the delicate greens and fruit. Optionally, garnish with extra pistachios or goat cheese as desired for additional texture and flavor.
Notes
- Allow candied almonds to cool completely before adding to the salad to maintain their crunch.
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries and ripe avocado for the best texture and flavor.
- Can substitute pistachios with walnuts or pecans based on preference.
- Prepare the vinaigrette just before serving to keep the salad fresh and crisp.
- This salad is best served immediately after tossing to avoid sogginess.
- For a vegan version, omit goat cheese or substitute with vegan cheese alternatives.
