Fresh Strawberry Pecan Arugula Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
A light and vibrant salad combining peppery arugula, sweet fresh strawberries, crunchy toasted pecans, and a bright lemon vinaigrette. Perfect for a quick, fresh lunch or a flavorful side dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups fresh arugula (about 120g), washed and dried
- 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced (about 200g)
- ½ cup pecans, toasted and chopped
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 large lemon)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Toast the pecans: Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add the pecans and stir frequently for 3-5 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove from heat immediately and let cool.
- Prepare the strawberries: Rinse, hull, and slice strawberries thinly just before tossing to keep them juicy but not mushy.
- Make the lemon vinaigrette: In a small bowl or jar, combine lemon juice, lemon zest, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Slowly whisk in olive oil or shake the jar until emulsified and slightly thickened. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Assemble the salad: In a large salad bowl, combine arugula, sliced strawberries, toasted pecans, and crumbled feta if using.
- Toss with dressing: Drizzle vinaigrette over the salad starting with half and add more as desired. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat evenly.
- Serve immediately: Best served fresh. If needed, keep dressing separate and toss just before serving to keep arugula crisp.
Notes
Toast pecans to enhance flavor. Slice strawberries just before serving to avoid sogginess. Keep dressing separate if not serving immediately to maintain crispness. Use fresh lemon juice and zest for best flavor. For vegan option, omit feta and use maple syrup instead of honey.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 2 cups per ser
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 2.5
- Carbohydrates: 14
- Fiber: 3.5
- Protein: 6
Keywords: strawberry salad, arugula salad, pecan salad, lemon vinaigrette, fresh salad, healthy salad, gluten-free salad, vegetarian salad