This summer Strawberry Butter Lettuce Salad has fresh strawberries, crunchy candied almonds, and tangy goat cheese for the perfect combination of flavors. Top with a strawberry vinaigrette and you will have your go-to summer salad!
One of my favorite times of year is the beginning of summer when strawberry season is in full swing. I always go a little crazy at the strawberry farm and find myself making strawberry everything, including this Strawberry Butter Lettuce Salad.
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Why I Love This Recipe
This salad has the perfect combination of sweet, salty, tangy, and crunchy to satisfy anyone. You could serve this as a light meal or increase the portions for the perfect summer salad for a gathering.
If you are looking for more strawberry recipes, check out my Strawberry Ice Cream Cheesecake, Air Fryer Strawberry Turnovers, Instant Pot Strawberry Cheesecake, or Dehydrated Strawberries.
And, if you want more delicious salad recipes, check out this collection of 30 Simple Salad Recipes at eightyrecipes.com!
Key Ingredients For This Recipe
- Lettuce- I used butter lettuce for this salad because I love the flavor and texture of butter lettuce and it works well with all of the bold flavors going into this salad. I also love the way butter lettuce can be presented in the bowl.
- Strawberries- You will need fresh strawberries that are just slightly firm for easier slicing so that they hold up when mixing in the salad. If the strawberries are too soft they will break up too much.
- Nuts- I found some honey-roasted sliced almonds at the grocery store and they were the perfect sweet addition to this salad. You could also toast or slice your own, but I'm all about ease and convenience. If you prefer almonds that are not sweetened, they would be delicious too.
- Cheese- Crumbled goat cheese was my first choice for this salad because of its strong tangy flavor and the texture is always perfect for salads. I used a crumbled goat cheese which seems to work better than the log form which tends to be softer.
*See the recipe card for the complete list of ingredients and quantities.
Other Flavor Combinations for this Strawberry Salad
One of the great things about salads is you can substitute and add anything you like. For the lettuce spinach or mixed greens are a good substitution since they are still soft and mild in flavor.
Walnuts or pecans are also delicious in salads. If you don't like goat cheese, you could also use feta or blue cheese.
Which Salad Dressing to Use for this Recipe
I recommend a sweet and tangy dressing like my Strawberry Shrub Vinaigrette or a balsamic vinaigrette for this salad. I wouldn't recommend a creamy dressing like ranch or blue cheese unless you omit the goat cheese. Of course, you can use any salad dressing you like.
Expert Tips
- If you are making a large quantity of this salad, I would recommend storing it without the dressing to prevent the topping from getting soggy.
- Store any leftovers covered in the fridge for 1-2 days.
If you get a chance to make this Strawberry Butter Lettuce Salad, tag me on Instagram or Facebook and show me, or leave a review below! You can also follow me on Pinterest and sign up for my e-mail list to receive more fun and delicious recipes in your inbox.
Strawberry Butter Lettuce Salad
Equipment
- medium bowl
- sharp knife
Ingredients
- 3-4 medium strawberries, thinly sliced
- ½ head butter lettuce, rinsed and dried
- 2 tablespoon candied almonds
- 2 tablespoon crumbled goat cheese
- strawberry shrub vinigrette (or balsamic vinaigrette)
Instructions
- Rinse, dry, and hull the strawberries. Cut each one into thin slices and set aside.
- Rinse and dry the butter lettuce and cut off the core at the bottom to create separate leaves. Arrange the leave around the bottom of the bowl in 3-4 layers starting largest to smallest. Place the strawberries on top of the lettuce.
- Sprinkle the crumbled goat cheese and candied almonds on top. Add your favorite salad dressing and enjoy!
Notes
- Nutrition values for salad only, no dressing.
- If you are making for a crowd, I would recommend serving without the dressing. This way you can store the leftovers covered in the fridge. If the salad had dressing on it, it will get soggy.
- Substitutions include spinach or mixed greens, walnuts or pecans, and feta or blue cheese.
Nutrition
Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Linda Winfield says
oops! Don't like bleu cheese either. Yikes!
Linda Winfield says
Looks fabulous but uh oh, I don't like goat cheese. Another cheese suggestion?
Emily says
Hi Linda, what about feta cheese? Or you could go with a milder mozzarella or gouda...Hope you get a chance to try it!
Pam Greer says
What a delicious salad! So perfect for summer!
Emily says
Thanks, Pam, I agree, perfect for summer.
Mihaela | https://theworldisanoyster.com/ says
I've decided this is what I want for dinner; it sounds perfect in combination with strawberries and goat cheese...mmmmmmm! I can't wait for tonight! The meat lovers have schnitzels to go with this beautiful salad; I'm happy with just it:)))
Emily says
I hope you love this salad and the meat lovers taste it and love it too!! Strawberries and goat cheese are meant to go together!
Lilly says
Such a tasty salad! Will def make again!
Emily says
Oh good, thanks Lilly!
Gabriela Herrera says
This salad is so beautiful and nutritious and the balsamic dressing just takes it up to a whole new level.
Emily says
Don't you just love it when healthy and delicious go together??😁
Gina Abernathy says
This salad looks so refreshing. It is hot here in the south so preparing and eating something light and cool is just what I need during the summer months. Right now we have a nice supply of strawberries, so this salad is right on time.
Emily says
Perfect timing! This is the perfect salad for warm weather 😎
Swathi says
This strawberry lettuce salad looks really yummy
Audrey says
I loved the dressing on this salad. So refreshing!
Emily says
Thanks, Audrey, I'm so glad you liked it!
Sue says
Such a great combination! I only had regular almonds and they were delish, but I'm going to look for the honey roasted ones to try for the next time. Because there WILL be a next time!
Emily says
I'm sure the regular almonds were almost as good, but I do have to say those honey-roasted almonds are quite a treat even on their own. Enjoy!
Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady says
I've grown so accustomed to ordering my groceries and simply picking them up, but they never seem to have butter lettuce available. I need to make the trek out to an actual grocery store to see if I can find any. This salad looks so wonderfully delicious with the addition of strawberries and goat cheese!
Emily says
The butter lettuce is delicious, but of course you can substitute if you have to. It’s really the strawberries and goat cheese that make it for me!
Giangi Townsend says
The perfect and refreshing summer salad. I cannot wait to make it.
Emily says
It’s like summer in bowl! 😍 enjoy!
Leslie says
Great strawberry salad recipe!