Strawberry Pecan Salad

Plump, juicy strawberries are the star of this summer blockbuster salad. Featuring a bed of crisp lettuce topped with sweet candied pecans and salty sunflower kernels, this versatile strawberry pecan salad comes together with a tangy and bright dressing. Pungent onions, earthy ground mustard and tart white vinegar are combined with salt and sugar to create a vinaigrette so good you’ll want to eat it straight out of the jar.

This fresh strawberry salad is great for gatherings and provides a refreshing and satisfying way to stay cool on hot days. It’s the perfect supporting act to all your favorite summer barbecue recipes. Bring it out at any gathering and you’re bound to have people lining up for seconds! As a bonus, it can be made ahead of time. Just remember to dress it right before serving so the greens don’t wilt and everything tastes at peak freshness.

Refreshing, crunchy, sweet, acidic, juicy—the adjectives could go on forever. This salad, on the other hand, will disappear before you know it, so remember to make extra.

Ingredients for Strawberry Pecan Salad

• Vinaigrette: The salad dressing is made with canola oil, sugar, salt, white vinegar, grated onion and ground mustard. It’s delicately balanced and vibrant with earthy and pungent flavors. If you prefer it spicier, consider adding a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of your favorite vinegar-based hot sauce.
• Pecans: Halved pecans add a necessary crunch to the salad and bolster its sweetness to match the tart vinaigrette. If you end up with more pecans than you need, there are plenty of pecan recipes to use them up.
• Lettuce: Romaine might seem like the obvious choice, but other common lettuce varieties like iceberg or butterhead are also great.
• Strawberries: Fresh strawberries offer natural sweetness with slightly tart notes. The seeds also provide a subtle crunch to the dish.
• Shredded cheese: We use Monterey Jack cheese to add a mild creaminess and subtle tanginess that complements the crunchy elements. You could also use pepper jack if you feel like adding a kick to the salad, or mix multiple cheeses to create your ideal blend.
• Sunflower kernels: Sunflower seeds introduce a nuttiness to the strawberry pecan salad to really round out its flavor profile.

Directions

Step 1: Make the vinaigrette

In a small bowl, whisk the oil, 1/4 cup sugar, the vinegar, onion, mustard and salt.

Editor’s Tip: Make cleanup a breeze by combining the ingredients in a glass jar with a tight lid and shaking until combined. Mixing and storage are both sorted in one fell swoop.

Mix until the sugar is fully dissolved. Set it aside.

Step 2: Candy the pecans

Place the pecans in a small heavy skillet and cook over medium heat for one to two minutes until the nuts are toasted.

Sprinkle in the remaining 3 tablespoons sugar. Cook and stir for two to four minutes or until the sugar is melted. Spread out on foil to cool. Break apart when it has hardened.

Editor’s Tip: Before the pecans cool, consider adding a sprinkle of flaky salt. The salt will further enhance the sweetness of the candied nuts.

Step 3: Toss the salad with the dressing

In a large serving bowl, combine the lettuce, strawberries, cheese, sunflower kernels and sugared pecans. Drizzle with the vinaigrette.

Toss to coat.

Editor’s Tip: Toss the salad with a soft hand so that you don’t bruise the produce.

Recipe Variations

• Use another vinegar: White vinegar tastes neutral, but other types of vinegars can add different layers to this fresh strawberry salad. While most kinds will work, try adding balsamic to your dressing, as it brings complementary notes of fig and molasses.
• Add different leafy greens: Try using earthy spinach instead of lettuce, or opt for arugula’s pepperiness. Either would stand up nicely against the other sweet and tart ingredients.
• Experiment with cheeses: There’s a whole world of lesser-known cheeses out there, so don’t limit yourself to the suggested Monterey Jack cheese. Instead, swap in a spicier pepper jack or a savory, creamy goat cheese. Grilled Halloumi is a sneaky (squeaky) contender that would do surprisingly well.

How to Store Strawberry Pecan Salad

You can store the combined toppings together (without the dressing) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. We suggest dressing only the amount you will eat in one sitting, as a dressed salad will wilt in the fridge. Keep the prepared dressing in a separate jar.

How long does strawberry pecan salad last?

Strawberry pecan salad lasts up to four days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The vinaigrette has a longer shelf life of up to two weeks since it doesn’t contain any perishables.

Strawberry Pecan Salad Tips

How can I make this salad more filling for a main course?

You can easily make this salad more filling by adding a protein. Grilled chicken, roasted turkey breast and crumbled bacon are all delicious options to make a meal-worthy main course salad.

What dressings work best with strawberry pecan salad?

You’ll want to make a strawberry pecan salad with a dressing that complements the salad’s sweet, fresh and nutty flavors, like a bright, sweet or earthy vinaigrette. Homemade salad dressings like balsamic vinaigrette, poppy seed dressing or a simple Italian dressing all work splendidly.

How do you keep strawberry salads from wilting?

To keep strawberry salads from wilting, store the vegetables, fruit and nuts separately from the dressing. A dressed salad will wilt fast in the fridge and become soggy. Ensure the greens are thoroughly dried and stored in a paper towel-lined container for optimal freshness. The best way to store strawberries is by refrigerating them in sealed Mason jars.