Strawberry Arugula Salad
Updated Feb 28, 2026
Fresh Strawberry Arugula Salad with feta cheese, toasted pecans, and a simple strawberry balsamic dressing.
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Strawberry arugula salad with feta is soO good!
Strawberry arugula salad is one of those combinations I didn’t think I’d love as much as I do. Peppery greens and sweet strawberries sound like they shouldn’t work, but they really do. I end up making a strawberry arugula salad every time strawberries start looking good at the store.
It’s just fresh arugula tossed with sliced strawberries, chopped pecans, feta, and a handful of basil. The dressing blends a few strawberries right into it, which sounds extra but takes two minutes and makes it feel like more than just oil and vinegar. It’s simple, a little sweet, and soo good!
Happy Cooking!
– Yumna
Strawberry Arugula Salad Ingredients
- Strawberries: When it comes to strawberries, the riper, the better. They should be as fresh as possible! Here are my tips on how to thinly slice strawberries. I don’t recommend using frozen strawberries here, because they can be too soft and mushy for a salad.
- Arugula: Again, the fresher, the better. If you’re not a fan of arugula or want something different, try substituting it with spinach, kale, or mixed greens.
- Feta: I like crumbling a block of feta cheese, but you can also use tangy goat cheese or creamy blue cheese.
- Pecans: I love the strawberry–pecan combination, but you can also use walnuts, cashews, almonds, or even sunflower seeds. Toast the pecans for a nuttier flavor or try making candied pecans!
- Basil: Fresh basil is my favorite herb here, but you can also use parsley or dill. Read my quick tips on how to chop fresh basil.
- For the strawberry vinaigrette: You’ll blend a few strawberries with olive oil, white vinegar, Dijon mustard, shallot, water, honey, salt, and pepper.
How to Make Strawberry Arugula Salad
Strawberry Arugula Salad Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound strawberries tops removed
- 5 ounces fresh arugula
- ¾ cup chopped pecans
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ½ cup fresh basil chopped
For the Dressing
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup white vinegar balsamic, sherry or still
- 1 ½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
- ½ small shallot peeled
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2 teaspoons honey
- Kosher salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Thinly slice all of the strawberries. Set aside 3 large berries for the dressing.
- Make the dressing. In the bowl of a food processor or a high-speed blender, add the 3 reserved strawberries, oil, vinegar, Dijon, shallot, water, and honey. Process until smooth and creamy, adding more water if necessary. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- On a large serving platter or in a large serving bowl, mix the arugula, strawberries, pecans, basil, and feta. Drizzle with vinaigrette and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
Recipe Tips
- Toss with care. The ingredients are delicate and can get squashed if handled too roughly. You want to preserve the structure and texture of the strawberries and arugula.
- Season well. Don’t forget to season your salad! A little bit of kosher salt can enhance the flavors and balance the sweetness of the strawberries and dressing.
Serving Ideas
- Salmon: Salmon Cakes, Air Fryer Salmon, Salmon Kabobs
- Chicken: Grilled Lemon Chicken, Grilled Chicken Broccoli Wraps, Ground Chicken Burgers
- Shrimp: Lemon Garlic Shrimp, Garlic Butter Shrimp, Shrimp Cocktail in Avocado Bowls
FAQs
Blend in a few more strawberries to thicken it up. That should do the trick!
If the dressing sits on the salad for too long, the arugula will wilt. And if you store it in the fridge, even without the dressing, if the temperature is too cold, that can also wilt the arugula.
Comments
We loved this. Itโs going into my Exceptional folder. Thank you.
Ha, I love this, thanks for sharing.
This salad is phenomenal!! I made it for our Easter dinner today. The dressing was so divine–and such a gorgeous color–I almost wanted to drink it! I did substitute goat cheese for the feta, and used pistachios instead of pecans. Truly delicious–thanks SO much for the recipe!
Oo, I love the idea of using goat cheese and pistachios, thanks for sharing, Jane!
Forgot to add the 5 stars!!!
Btw–I used a good quality white balsamic vinegar for the dressing. Bon appetit!
Made this salad for Fatherโs Day and is was a huge hit! Everyone wanted the recipe! Thank you, Yumna!
Gorgeous, delicious, easy, & so versatile! I could not ask for anything more! Served w/grilled chicken breast 1st night & I canโt wait to have the remaining salad for lunch tomorrow. And I would put this dressing on practically anything! Thank you so much, Yumna! Phenomenal!!!
This was so delicious! My kids requested for seconds! Will definitely make it again๐
That’s awesome! I love it!!
Loooooved it.. loved the dressing, so delicious. Thank you so much
The dressing really ties it all together! You’re so welcome!!
This was epic for the season, we loved it!
I love that! Thank you!!
Best combination : strawberries, pecans, arugula and best of all basil.
Refreshing and delicious
Omg Yumna! Your arugula salad was the best salad Iโve had in a long time!
I love making salads with fruit and nuts.
I mixed arugula and spinach as the lettuce base and added all ingredients in your recipe. My family ate it all!
Thank you so much for sharing and for your IG video! This salad will definitely be on repeat for the entire summer!
Wow, thank you so much! That makes me so happy to hear! You’re so welcome!