This Strawberry Cucumber Salad with Savory Granola is a game-changer for your lunch or dinner routine. The perfect balance of sweet strawberries, crisp cucumbers, and a crunchy savory granola topping creates an explosion of flavors and textures that will make your taste buds dance. Ready in just minutes, this refreshing salad is ideal for warm days when you want something light yet satisfying that doesn’t require hours in the kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Perfect Balance of Flavors: The sweetness of strawberries pairs beautifully with peppery arugula, while the savory granola adds an unexpected crunch that takes this salad to the next level.
  • Quick to Prepare: Despite its impressive presentation, this salad comes together in minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or impromptu gatherings.
  • Versatile: Works as a light main course, a gorgeous side dish, or an elegant starter for dinner parties.
  • Nutritional Powerhouse: Packed with vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats from the nuts and seeds, this salad is as nutritious as it is delicious.

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Arugula and Spinach: The peppery bite of arugula combined with mild spinach creates the perfect base. Feel free to adjust the ratio based on how peppery you like your salads.
  • Strawberries: These add natural sweetness and a beautiful pop of color. Always choose ripe, vibrant berries for the best flavor.
  • Cucumbers: Baby seedless cucumbers provide refreshing crunch without watering down your salad. Their mild flavor balances the stronger elements perfectly.
  • Shallot: Adds a gentle allium kick that’s milder than onion. Slice it paper-thin to distribute the flavor evenly.
  • Goat Cheese: The tangy creaminess cuts through the sweetness and adds richness. If you’re not a fan, feta makes a great substitute.
  • Pistachios: The star of the savory granola, providing nutty flavor and gorgeous green color.
  • Sunflower Seeds: Add extra crunch and a subtle nutty flavor to the granola.
  • Oats: Regular old-fashioned oats create that classic granola texture without overwhelming the other flavors.
  • Honey: Just enough to bind the granola and add subtle sweetness without making it dessert-like.
  • Seasonings: Lemon zest, dried chives, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes transform the granola from sweet to deliciously savory.
  • Strawberry Balsamic Dressing Ingredients: Fresh strawberries, balsamic vinegar, garlic, honey, lemon juice, and olive oil create a perfectly balanced dressing that ties everything together.

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

Add grilled chicken, seared salmon, or chickpeas to transform this into a heartier meal.

Seasonal Swaps

Replace strawberries with peaches or nectarines in summer, or pears and apples in fall.

Cheese Options

Try crumbled feta, shaved parmesan, or even blue cheese for different flavor profiles.

Nut Alternatives

Swap pistachios for walnuts, pecans, or almonds depending on what you have on hand.

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 pistachios, sunflower seeds, and oats, stirring frequently for 2-3 minutes until they begin to toast and become fragrant. Drizzle in the honey, then add lemon zest, garlic powder, chives, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Toss everything together until well combined and toasted. Remove from heat and spread on parchment paper to cool completely.

Step 2: Make the Strawberry Balsamic Dressing

Combine strawberries, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, honey, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a blender. Blend until smooth, then gradually add olive oil while blending until emulsified. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.

Step 3: Assemble the Salad

Place arugula and spinach in a large bowl and toss with a pinch of salt and pepper. Add sliced strawberries, cucumber slices, and thinly sliced shallots. Crumble goat cheese over the top.

Step 4: Finish and Serve

Drizzle the salad with strawberry balsamic dressing, then top with the cooled savory granola. Serve immediately for maximum freshness and crunch.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

  • Make Components Ahead: The granola and dressing can both be made a day or two in advance, making assembly lightning-fast.
  • Room Temperature Cheese: Take your goat cheese out of the fridge 15-20 minutes before crumbling it over the salad for the best texture and flavor.
  • Don’t Overdress: Start with less dressing than you think you need – you can always add more, but you can’t take it away.
  • Toast with Care: Keep a close eye on the granola as it toasts – nuts and seeds can go from perfectly golden to burnt in seconds.
  • Slice Strategically: Cut cucumbers and strawberries uniformly for the most visually appealing presentation and even distribution throughout the salad.

How to Serve

Perfect Pairings

This salad pairs beautifully with grilled proteins like chicken or fish. It’s also lovely alongside a simple soup for a complete meal.

Entertaining Idea

Serve the components separately and let guests build their own salads, creating an interactive and customizable dining experience.

Wine Pairing

A crisp Sauvignon Blanc or rosé complements the sweet-savory balance of this salad perfectly.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Components Separately

For maximum freshness, store the greens, prepared vegetables, dressing, and granola separately until ready to serve.

Dressing Storage

The strawberry balsamic dressing will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Shake well before using.

Granola Storage

Store the cooled savory granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. It will lose some crunch if refrigerated.

Pre-Assembly Option

If needed, you can assemble the greens, cucumbers, and shallots a few hours ahead, but add strawberries, cheese, dressing, and granola just before serving.

FAQs

  1. Can I make this salad vegan?

    Absolutely! Simply omit the goat cheese or replace it with your favorite plant-based cheese alternative. Swap the honey in both the dressing and granola for maple syrup or agave nectar.

  2. How can I prevent the granola from clumping too much?

    The key is spreading it out on parchment paper while it’s still warm. Don’t pile it up, and occasionally break up any large pieces as it cools. This ensures individual pieces rather than one giant cluster.

  3. Will this salad work with frozen strawberries?

    For the dressing, frozen strawberries work perfectly. For the salad itself, fresh is best for texture and visual appeal. If using frozen berries in the salad, thaw and drain them thoroughly to prevent excess moisture.

  4. Can I make this into a meal prep option?

    Yes! Prepare all components separately and store in individual containers. Pack the granola and dressing in small containers, and assemble your salad fresh each day. This keeps everything crisp and prevents soggy greens.

Final Thoughts

This Strawberry Cucumber Salad with Savory Granola is a testament to how simple ingredients can create extraordinary meals. The combination of sweet, tangy, crunchy, and creamy elements makes each bite an adventure. Whether you’re looking to impress guests or simply treat yourself to something special on a weeknight, this salad delivers maximum flavor with minimum effort. Give it a try the next time you want to elevate your salad game – I promise you won’t be disappointed!

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Strawberry Cucumber Salad with Savory Granola Recipe

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  • Author: Lisa
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Salads
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American, Contemporary
  • Diet: Vegetarian
Print Recipe

Description

This vibrant Strawberry Cucumber Salad combines peppery greens, sweet strawberries, crisp cucumbers, creamy goat cheese, and a homemade strawberry balsamic dressing. Topped with a crunchy, savory pistachio granola, it’s a refreshing and elegant dish perfect for summer gatherings or an elevated lunch.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Salad

  • 10 to 12 cups arugula and spinach greens
  • Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 1/2 cups sliced strawberries
  • 4 baby seedless cucumbers, thinly sliced
  • 1 medium shallot, thinly sliced
  • 2 to 3 ounces goat cheese, crumbled

Savory Pistachio Granola

  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1/3 cup pistachios, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons sunflower seeds
  • 3 tablespoons old fashioned oats
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried chives
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Strawberry Balsamic Dressing

  • 1/2 cup chopped strawberries
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced
  • Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup olive oil

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Salad – Place the arugula and spinach greens in a large bowl. Toss with a generous pinch of kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Add the sliced strawberries, cucumbers, and shallots. Crumble the goat cheese on top of the greens and vegetables.
  2. Make the Savory Pistachio Granola – In a skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the chopped pistachios, sunflower seeds, and oats. Toast, stirring often, for 2 to 3 minutes until lightly golden and fragrant. Drizzle in honey, then add grated lemon zest, dried chives, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir to coat and combine thoroughly. Remove from heat and spread the granola on a parchment-lined surface to cool. Once cooled, crumble it for topping.
  3. Blend the Strawberry Balsamic Dressing – Combine the chopped strawberries, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, honey, lemon juice, kosher salt, pepper, and olive oil in a blender. Blend until completely smooth. The dressing can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated in a sealed container. Shake or whisk before using.
  4. Assemble and Serve – Drizzle the strawberry balsamic dressing over the salad. Top with the savory pistachio granola, then serve immediately for the freshest texture and flavor.

Notes

  • The granola and dressing can be made ahead and stored separately until ready to serve.
  • For extra crunch, add more pistachios or sunflower seeds to the granola.
  • Feel free to substitute feta cheese for goat cheese if preferred.
  • Best served immediately after assembling to keep greens crisp.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: about 2 cups
  • Calories: 270
  • Sugar: 9g
  • Sodium: 230mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 4.5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 20g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 7g
  • Cholesterol: 10mg
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Hi, I’m Lisa Denton! From quick dinners to family favorites, I’m here to help you bring joy to the table, one recipe at a time.

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