Can I make this salad nut-free?

Absolutely! Replace the pistachios with additional sunflower seeds or add pumpkin seeds. The granola will still have a wonderful crunch and flavor without nuts.

How can I make this a meal prep option?

Store all components separately: greens in one container, sliced strawberries and cucumbers in another, dressing in a jar, and granola in a zip-top bag. When ready to eat, simply assemble your portion. This way, everything stays fresh for 3-4 days.

Will frozen strawberries work for the dressing?

Yes! Frozen strawberries work perfectly for the dressing, and it's a great way to enjoy this salad year-round. No need to thaw them first – just pop them straight into the blender.

Can I use store-bought granola to save time?

While the homemade savory granola is truly special, you can substitute a store-bought option in a pinch. Look for one with minimal sugar, and consider adding a pinch of garlic powder and lemon zest to give it that savory edge.

Strawberry Cucumber Salad with Savory Granola Recipe

This Strawberry Cucumber Salad with Savory Granola is a game-changer for your meal rotation! The perfect balance of sweet strawberries, crisp cucumbers, and a crunchy savory granola topping creates an unforgettable texture experience. The homemade strawberry balsamic dressing ties everything together with its tangy-sweet flavor profile, making this salad substantial enough for a light meal yet elegant enough for entertaining. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s the ultimate fresh solution for busy weeknights or impressive enough for weekend gatherings!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect Balance of Flavors: The combination of peppery arugula, sweet strawberries, and tangy goat cheese creates a symphony in your mouth that’ll have you coming back for more.
Textural Dream: The crisp cucumbers, juicy berries, and that incredible crunchy granola topping deliver multiple texture elements that make this salad anything but boring.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare the dressing and granola ahead of time, and assembly takes just minutes when you’re ready to eat.
Nutritional Powerhouse: Packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and healthy fats from the nuts and seeds, this salad nourishes your body while delighting your taste buds.
Impressive Presentation: This salad looks absolutely stunning on the plate, making it perfect for everything from casual lunches to dinner parties.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Arugula and Spinach Greens: The peppery bite of arugula paired with mild spinach creates the perfect base for this salad. Feel free to adjust the ratio based on how much peppery flavor you prefer.
Strawberries: The star of the show, providing sweetness and a gorgeous pop of color. Always choose ripe, fragrant berries for the best flavor.
Baby Seedless Cucumbers: These provide a refreshing crunch and subtle flavor that balances the stronger elements. Their skin is tender, so no peeling necessary!
Shallot: Adds a mild onion flavor without overpowering the delicate ingredients. Slice it paper-thin for the best texture.
Goat Cheese: Brings a creamy, tangy element that perfectly complements the sweet berries. The way it crumbles throughout the salad ensures a bit of creaminess in every bite.
Pistachios: The base of our savory granola, providing protein and a beautiful green color contrast. Their unique flavor pairs wonderfully with strawberries.
Sunflower Seeds and Oats: Create additional texture in the granola while adding nutritional benefits. The oats become wonderfully toasty when cooked.
Honey: Just enough sweetness to balance the savory elements in the granola. It also helps bind everything together.
Seasonings: A carefully balanced blend of lemon zest, dried chives, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes transforms basic ingredients into an addictive granola topping.
Balsamic Vinegar: Forms the flavor foundation of our dressing, offering depth and complexity that elevates the entire salad.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Protein Additions

Take this salad from side dish to main event by adding grilled chicken, salmon, or chickpeas for a protein boost. The flavors in this salad complement just about any protein beautifully.

Seasonal Swaps

No strawberries? Try blueberries or peaches in summer, or sliced apples or pears in fall. The dressing can be adapted by using whatever fruit you choose as the base.

Cheese Alternatives

If goat cheese isn’t your thing, try feta for a similar tanginess or burrata for incredible creaminess. Shaved parmesan would add a nutty element that works well with the savory granola.

Make It Vegan

Simply omit the goat cheese or replace it with your favorite plant-based cheese, and substitute maple syrup for honey in both the dressing and granola.

How to Make Strawberry Cucumber Salad with Savory Granola

Step 1: Prepare the Savory Granola

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped pistachios, sunflower seeds, and oats, stirring frequently to toast them evenly. Once they become fragrant, drizzle in the honey and add all the seasonings (lemon zest, dried chives, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes). Continue stirring until well combined and toasted. Remove from heat and spread on parchment paper to cool completely.

Step 2: Make the Strawberry Balsamic Dressing

Add chopped strawberries, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, honey, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and olive oil to a blender. Blend until completely smooth and emulsified. Give it a taste and adjust seasonings if needed – this is your chance to make it perfect!

Step 3: Assemble the Salad

Place arugula and spinach in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper. Add sliced strawberries, cucumber slices, and thinly sliced shallots. Gently toss to combine.

Step 4: Finish and Serve

Crumble goat cheese over the salad. Drizzle with the strawberry balsamic dressing, then top with a generous sprinkle of the cooled savory granola right before serving for maximum crunch.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Don’t Skip the Salting Step: Seasoning your greens before adding other ingredients creates a foundation of flavor throughout the salad.
Granola Texture: The granola should be toasted but not burnt. Keep a close eye on it, as nuts can go from perfectly toasted to burnt very quickly.
Ingredient Prep: For the prettiest presentation, try to cut the strawberries and cucumbers into similar thicknesses for visual harmony.
Dressing Consistency: If your dressing is too thick, add a tablespoon of water at a time until it reaches your desired consistency. Too thin? Add a bit more olive oil.
Assembly Timing: For the best texture, add the dressing and granola just before serving. This keeps the greens crisp and the granola crunchy.

How to Serve

Perfect Pairings

This salad works beautifully alongside grilled proteins like chicken or fish. It’s also substantial enough to serve as a light main course for lunch.

Serving Style

For dinner parties, try plating individual portions on salad plates rather than serving family-style. This allows you to create a beautiful presentation with the granola arranged on top.

Drink Pairings

A crisp Sauvignon Blanc or rosé complements the strawberry flavors perfectly. For non-alcoholic options, a sparkling water with a splash of lemonade echoes the bright notes in the salad.

Make Ahead and Storage

Dressing

The strawberry balsamic dressing can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Give it a good shake or whisk before using, as natural separation will occur.

Savory Granola

This is the perfect make-ahead component! The granola stays crunchy for up to a week when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Make a double batch and use it on yogurt, other salads, or as a snack.

Prepping Components

You can wash and dry the greens, slice the cucumbers, and have everything ready to assemble up to a day in advance. Store prepped ingredients separately in the refrigerator.

Leftovers

If you have dressed salad leftover, it will keep for about a day in the refrigerator, though the greens will soften. The granola is best added just before eating to maintain its crunch.

FAQs

Can I make this salad nut-free?

Absolutely! Replace the pistachios with additional sunflower seeds or add pumpkin seeds. The granola will still have a wonderful crunch and flavor without nuts.
How can I make this a meal prep option?

Store all components separately: greens in one container, sliced strawberries and cucumbers in another, dressing in a jar, and granola in a zip-top bag. When ready to eat, simply assemble your portion. This way, everything stays fresh for 3-4 days.
Will frozen strawberries work for the dressing?

Yes! Frozen strawberries work perfectly for the dressing, and it’s a great way to enjoy this salad year-round. No need to thaw them first – just pop them straight into the blender.
Can I use store-bought granola to save time?

While the homemade savory granola is truly special, you can substitute a store-bought option in a pinch. Look for one with minimal sugar, and consider adding a pinch of garlic powder and lemon zest to give it that savory edge.

Final Thoughts

This Strawberry Cucumber Salad with Savory Granola transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary dish that proves salads are anything but boring! The contrast between sweet strawberries, refreshing cucumbers, and that incredible crunchy granola creates a memorable eating experience that’ll have everyone asking for the recipe. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or entertaining friends, this versatile salad delivers impressive flavors with minimal effort. Don’t be surprised if this becomes your new go-to salad – it’s that good!