Crispy goat cheese, creamy avocado, and juicy strawberries crown a vibrant bed of spinach and arugula, all brought together with a luscious avocado vinaigrette. This is the quintessential vegetarian Spring salad you’ve been waiting for!

Crispy Goat Cheese, Avocado & Strawberry Salad: Your Ultimate Spring Delight

Oh, Spring, how your arrival fills me with joy! The days grow longer, the air turns warmer, and most wonderfully, a fresh bounty of seasonal produce graces our markets. It’s a time for renewal, for lighter meals, and for embracing the vibrant flavors that this season so generously offers.

With the vibrant appearance of succulent strawberries and perfectly ripe avocados at my local farmers market, inspiration struck! I simply had to combine these seasonal treasures into a dazzling new salad that perfectly captures the essence of Spring. Not only is it a truly delicious and refreshing meal, but its elegant presentation and delightful flavor profile make it an ideal side dish for special occasions, such as your Easter feast.

This exquisite salad begins with a robust base of fresh arugula and tender baby spinach, a combination that offers both delicate texture and a slightly peppery kick. These greens are then generously tossed with my signature avocado vinaigrette – a creamy, zesty dressing that has become a fan favorite (you might recognize it from my Pineapple Mango Kale Salad and this savory Butternut Squash Spinach Kale Salad).

But the true magic happens with the toppings. The salad is crowned with additional cubes of creamy avocado, for an extra layer of healthy fats and smooth texture. A scattering of crunchy almonds introduces a delightful counterpoint, while fresh, thinly sliced strawberries provide bursts of sweet and tart juiciness. And, of course, the star of the show: warm, crispy goat cheese medallions. This harmonious blend of textures and tastes is, without exaggeration, a winning combination that will have everyone asking for the recipe!

The Magical Allure of Crispy Goat Cheese

I may not recall the exact first time I experienced crispy goat cheese, but the moment itself remains etched in my memory as pure culinary magic. It was served on an appetizer salad, and at first glance, I mistakenly thought it was a perfectly fried green tomato. Imagine my delightful surprise when I cut into it, only to discover a warm, melt-in-your-mouth creamy goat cheese center, encased in a golden, crunchy crust. It was an instant revelation!

From that day forward, I was captivated. I knew I wanted to recreate that incredible experience and incorporate this “magical” crispy goat cheese into a recipe for my blog. However, finding the absolute perfect pairing proved to be a delightful challenge. I waited for an inspiration that would truly do justice to this incredible ingredient, and finally, the stars aligned with this Spring salad. The tangy richness of the goat cheese, combined with its irresistible crispy exterior, provides a sophisticated contrast to the freshness of the greens and the sweetness of the fruit, making this salad truly unforgettable.

Recipe: Crispy Goat Cheese, Avocado & Strawberry Salad

This recipe for Crispy Goat Cheese, Avocado & Strawberry Salad yields approximately 4 servings and takes about 29 minutes total time, with 23 minutes prep and 6 minutes cook time. It’s a fantastic choice for a light main course or an impressive side dish.

Salad Ingredients

• 8 oz goat cheese (sliced into 8 medallions – or purchase individually wrapped 1 oz goat cheese medallions for convenience)
• 1 large egg, whisked
• ¾ cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 6 cups fresh baby spinach
• 6 cups fresh arugula
• ¼ cup sliced almonds
• ½ cup fresh strawberries, thinly sliced
• 1 ripe avocado, thinly sliced
• 1 cup avocado vinaigrette (recipe follows below)

Avocado Vinaigrette Ingredients

• 1 ripe avocado (skin & pit removed)
• ¼ cup white balsamic vinegar
• 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
• ½ cup good quality olive oil

Step-by-Step Preparation Guide

Crafting the Avocado Vinaigrette

The first step to unlocking the full flavor of this salad is preparing the luscious avocado vinaigrette. It’s incredibly simple and adds a creamy, zesty dimension to the entire dish.

1. Combine all vinaigrette ingredients—avocado, white balsamic vinegar, fresh lemon juice, kosher salt, ground black pepper, and olive oil—in a blender or food processor.
2. Puree the mixture until it is completely smooth and creamy. Ensure there are no lumps of avocado remaining for the best texture.
3. Transfer the prepared vinaigrette to an airtight container and refrigerate until you are ready to assemble and serve the salad. Chilling allows the flavors to meld beautifully.

Achieving Crispy Goat Cheese Perfection

The star of this salad, the crispy goat cheese, requires a few simple steps to achieve its irresistible texture. The key is a brief chilling period and a perfect pan-fry.

3. To prepare the crispy goat cheese, begin by placing the goat cheese medallions on a piece of parchment paper. Transfer them to the freezer for at least 15 minutes. This crucial step helps the cheese firm up, making it easier to bread and preventing it from melting too quickly when pan-fried.
4. While the goat cheese chills, set up your breading station. Pour the whisked egg into one shallow bowl. In a separate shallow bowl, add the Italian seasoned breadcrumbs.
5. Once the goat cheese medallions are firm from the freezer, one by one, dip each medallion into the whisked egg, ensuring it’s fully coated.
6. Next, transfer the egg-coated medallion to the bowl of breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure an even and thorough coating on all sides. Repeat for all goat cheese medallions.
7. When all the goat cheese medallions are perfectly breaded, heat the olive oil and butter together in a large skillet over medium-high heat. The combination of oil and butter ensures a beautiful golden-brown crust and prevents burning.
8. Once the oil and butter are shimmering, carefully add the breaded goat cheese to the hot skillet. Pan-fry for 2-3 minutes per side, or until each medallion is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese inside is warm and slightly gooey.
9. Remove the crispy goat cheese from the skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined plate. This will help drain any excess grease, ensuring the crust remains perfectly crisp.

Assembling Your Spring Salad

With all your components ready, it’s time to bring this vibrant salad to life!

9. In a large serving bowl, combine the baby spinach and arugula. Drizzle generously with the prepared avocado vinaigrette, then gently toss the greens until they are evenly coated.
10. Artfully arrange the crispy goat cheese medallions, sliced almonds, fresh strawberry slices, and thinly sliced avocado on top of the dressed greens. Distribute them evenly to ensure a burst of flavor in every bite.

Elevate Your Meal: Perfect Pairings & Serving Suggestions

The versatility of this Crispy Goat Cheese, Avocado & Strawberry Salad makes it a truly remarkable dish. Whether you choose to serve it as a light and satisfying entrée, perhaps topped with a grilled marinated chicken breast for added protein, or as an elegant side dish to complement a more substantial meal, its medley of creamy, crispy, light, and fresh flavors and textures is an undeniable winning combination. Its balance makes it adaptable to many culinary occasions and personal preferences.

Consider these main dishes to create a truly unforgettable dining experience:

• Honey Mustard Chicken: The subtle sweetness and tang of honey mustard chicken perfectly echo the flavors in the salad, creating a harmonious and comforting meal.
• Balsamic Salmon: The rich, flaky texture of balsamic-glazed salmon provides a robust counterpoint to the salad’s freshness, offering a delightful surf-and-turf experience.
• Honey Baked Ham: For holiday meals or a comforting Sunday dinner, the savory sweetness of honey-baked ham pairs beautifully with the tangy goat cheese and fresh fruit in the salad.
• Pesto Salmon: The herbaceous notes of pesto salmon introduce an aromatic depth that complements the avocado and greens, while the goat cheese adds a creamy tang.
• Grilled Marinated Pork Chops: The smoky char and savory marinade of grilled pork chops offer a hearty and satisfying pairing, ideal for a spring or summer barbecue.
• Lemon Pepper Chicken: The bright, zesty flavors of lemon pepper chicken will enhance the fresh lemon in the vinaigrette, making for a cohesive and invigorating meal.

This salad is not just a recipe; it’s an experience. The delightful crunch of the goat cheese, the smooth richness of the avocado, the sweet burst of strawberries, and the vibrant greens tossed in a creamy vinaigrette make every bite an adventure. It’s perfect for a light lunch, a sophisticated dinner party appetizer, or an impressive addition to any celebratory spread. Embrace the flavors of Spring and enjoy this truly exceptional salad!

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Crispy Goat Cheese Avocado & Strawberry Salad

Crispy goat cheese, creamy avocado & juicy strawberries top spinach & arugula, tossed with avocado vinaigrette, for the perfect vegetarian Spring salad!

Servings:

4
people

Prep Time:

23 minutes
mins

Cook Time:

6 minutes
mins

Total Time:

29 minutes
mins

Author:

Whitney Bond

Course:
Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine:
American

Ingredients

• 8
  oz
  goat cheese,
  sliced into 8 medallions – or purchase individually wrapped 1 oz goat cheese medallions
• 1
  egg,
  whisked
• ¾
  cup
  Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
• 1
  tbsp
  butter
• 1
  tbsp
  olive oil
• 6
  cups
  baby spinach
• 6
  cups
  arugula
• ¼
  cup
  almonds
• ½
  cup
  fresh strawberries,
  sliced
• 1
  avocado,
  thinly sliced
• 1
  cup
  avocado vinaigrette,
  recipe below

Avocado Vinaigrette

• 1
  avocado,
  skin & pit removed
• ¼
  cup
  
  white balsamic vinegar
  
• 3
  tbsp
  fresh lemon juice
• ½
  tsp
  kosher salt
• ½
  tsp
  ground black pepper
• ½
  cup
  olive oil

Instructions

• To prepare the avocado vinaigrette, combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor and puree until smooth and creamy.
• Place into the refrigerator until ready to use.
• To prepare the crispy goat cheese salad, place the goat cheese medallions on a piece of parchment paper and into the freezer for 15 minutes.
• Add the whisked egg to a shallow bowl.
• Add the breadcrumbs to another shallow bowl.
• Once the goat cheese comes out of the freezer, dip it in the whisked egg, then coat it in the breadcrumbs.
• Once all of the goat cheese medallions are breaded, heat the olive oil and butter together in a large skillet over medium high heat.
• Add the breaded goat cheese to the skillet and pan fry for 2-3 minutes per side.
• Remove from the skillet and place on a paper towel lined plate to drain any grease.
• Toss the avocado vinaigrette with the spinach and arugula, place in a large serving bowl.
• Top with the crispy goat cheese, almonds, strawberries and avocado.

Nutrition Facts

Calories
799
kcal
(40%)



Carbohydrates
34
g
(11%)



Protein
21
g
(42%)



Fat
67
g
(103%)



Saturated Fat
17
g
(85%)



Cholesterol
75
mg
(25%)



Sodium
896
mg
(37%)



Potassium
1051
mg
(30%)



Fiber
11
g
(44%)



Sugar
7
g
(8%)



Vitamin A
5854
mg
(117%)



Vitamin C
43
mg
(52%)



Calcium
262
mg
(26%)



Iron
5
mg
(28%)

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