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Strawberry Feta Salad with Candied Pecans – Sweet strawberries, creamy avocado, spicy-sweet candied pecans, and garden-fresh basil come together to create one beautiful, flavor-packed salad. It’s all tossed with my creamy feta dressing, which adds the perfect salty richness, while those pecans give the salad an irresistible crunch. A new staple for the season!
It’s finally strawberry season, and while I just baked up a sweet strawberry dessert, I might be even more excited to share this salad. I’ve been making it on repeat over the last few weeks—it’s become my go-to spring “everyday” salad.
Do you have an everyday salad? Mine is usually my Lemon Parmesan Sesame Salad, which I make a few nights a week. But lately, this strawberry version has taken over. With berries at their peak and the arugula looking so vibrant, I can’t help but crave it daily.
It’s truly the perfect “house salad” for spring and summer.
I’ve always loved when fresh fruit is added to salads! I make versions of this every summer. In fact, one of my all-time favorite older recipes is a variation of this salad.
This version is simpler, fresher, and topped with an even yummier dressing. It’s just in time for late spring lunches, summertime dinners, outdoor grilling, and easy meals with friends.
Here are the details
Ingredients – for the salad
- pecans
- salted butter
- maple syrup or honey
- cayenne pepper
- flaky sea salt
- mixed spring greens/arugula
- fresh strawberries
- avocados
- olive oil
- lemon juice
- honey
- salt and fresh cracked black pepper
Ingredients – for the dressing
- buttermilk
- lemon juice
- garlic
- basil – or you can use parsley
- fresh chives
- crumbled feta cheese
- fresh cracked black pepper
The Tools
Just a small sheet pan, a bowl to mix the dressing, and a big salad bowl! Plus the usuals: a cutting board, a knife, and some utensils!
The Steps
Step 1: make the candied pecans
On a baking sheet, toss the raw pecans with salted butter, spicy cayenne pepper, and either honey or maple syrup.
Bake until the pecans are caramelized. Watch closely! Because of the sugar, the pecans can burn quickly.
Step 2: prepare the salad
Find your favorite salad bowl and add the greens. I like to use a spring mix and peppery arugula, but I think any mix of greens would be great!
Add the fresh sliced strawberries and some avocado wedges or slices. I like to then toss the greens with olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper.
Step 3: Mix the dressing
This is so good! I use whole buttermilk for the best flavor and creaminess.
To balance the tang and add some brightness, I mix in a squeeze of lemon juice. Then, I stir in freshly chopped basil, chives, garlic, and season it all with salt and pepper.
Then so much freshly crumbled, salty, creamy feta cheese. It’s the most delicious! Like a blue cheese dressing, but with feta! So yummy and different. No one expects it, but it’s the secret, I promise!
Step 4: toss the salad
At this point, you can pour the dressing over the salad. Toss well to ensure the greens are coated in the yummy dressing.
Then, finish the salad with the candied pecans. I always add extra feta cheese too!
Step 5: serve
Serve the salad after you toss it. Once the dressing is added, eat it up right away to ensure the greens stay crunchy!
This makes a great side salad for any dinner, from spring through summer. You can also enjoy it as a meal by adding some protein like chicken or steak. YUM! It never disappoints and it doubles as the prettiest centerpiece for any summer table!
Looking for other salad recipes? Here are a few ideas:
Tomato, Peach, and Burrata Salad
Corn, Tomato, and Avocado Pasta Salad
Pesto Chicken Caesar Salad with Tomatoes and Burrata
Honey Mustard Pretzel Chicken and Avocado Bacon Salad
Pesto Chicken, Corn, and Avocado Bacon Pasta Salad
Lastly, if you make this Strawberry Feta Salad with Candied Pecans, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Strawberry Feta Salad with Candied Pecans
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw pecans
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 6 cups mixed greens/arugula
- 2 cups sliced strawberries
- 1-2 avocados, sliced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons honey
- salt and pepper
Feta Dressing
- 1/3 cup buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, chopped
- 1/3 cup fresh chopped basil
- 1/4 cup fresh chopped chives
- 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. On the baking sheet, toss together the pecans, maple syrup/honey, butter, and cayenne. Arrange in a single layer. Bake for 10 minutes or until the pecans are toasted. Sprinkle with sea salt.3. Meanwhile, in a salad bowl, combine the greens, strawberries, and avocado. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper. Pour over the salad and lightly toss the greens. 4. To make the dressing. Mix all ingredients together in a jar and season with salt and pepper.5. Pour the dressing over the salad, tossing to combine. Top the salad with pecans. Eat and enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
I made this exactly as written and it was BEAUTIFUL. Loved it. The two different dressings were fantastic in their composition and balance.
Hey Amanda,
Happy Sunday!! I appreciate you giving this recipe a try and your feedback, so glad to hear it was enjoyed:)
Could plain yogurt be used as a comparable substitute for the buttermilk? Or is there something else you’d recommend as a substitute?
Hi Sherri,
Sure, that should work nicely for you! Please let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx
Holy – can’t believe the entitled people in the comments! It’s a great recipe. Love the photo, and thank you for sharing your great recipes with us all <3, and responding to so many comments!
Hey Lauren,
Happy Sunday!! Thank you so much for trying this recipe, I love to hear it turned out well for you. xx
I served this to my large women’s group last night to their rave reviews. It’s the perfect light spring salad, packed with flavors. The feta-lemon dressing makes it top tier as do the candied pecans and strawberries. I added green onions and celery mainly for visual interest. Thanks for another wonderful recipe, Tieghan.
Thanks so much, Eve:) Love to hear this recipe was enjoyed, I appreciate you making it! Have a nice Memorial Day!
delish! The flavors blend so well. I was unsure about the dressing but I am so glad I tried this recipe.
Hi Dana,
Amazing! Love to hear this recipe turned out nicely for you, thanks for making it! Have a great Memorial Day Weekend!
does the olive oil go on the greens or in the lemon mixture?
thanks!
Hi Becca,
It goes with the lemon mixture in step 3. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
It seems that there are two dressings for this salad…is this necessary??
Hi Amy,
I like to dress the greens, but you can do as you like with the dressings:) I hope you love this salad! xx
Delicious combo of flavors. I skipped the oil on the salad, but the lemon juice and salt and pepper added a lot of flavor, and loved the feta dressing.
Thanks a lot, Jill! I appreciate you making this recipe and your comment, love to hear it turned out well!🌼
It was a good thought, but way too much dressing. Also, unsure of why the green stems and leaves are left on in the pics?
Hi Sandra,
Thanks for trying this recipe and sharing your feedback, sorry to hear it was too much dressing. xx
Could you clarify regarding my question above please?
I like the way it looks in the salad, but you do not need to do that if that is your preference:)
Great salad. Everyone enjoyed
Hi Lindsay,
Fantastic!! Thanks a lot for trying this recipe and your feedback, I’m so glad to hear it was enjoyed! x
The overall recipe was good, but I would probably not use as much dressing next time, or skip the lemon juice combined with dressing.
Hi Syrah,
Thanks for trying this salad and sharing your feedback, so sorry to hear you didn’t love it! xx
How do you avoid the dressing curdling, as you call for both buttermilk and lemon, which causes curdling? It sounds like a delicious recipe overall but I’m a bit hesitant about this part.
Hi Jenna,
I’ve never had that issue, so you should be fine to follow the recipe as is. I hope you love this salad! xx
So just to clarify, the greens are tossed in a lemon olive oil dressing and then again tossed with the creamy feta dressing?
Yes, that is correct:)
Just wondering where the oil goes?
Hi Ben,
Sorry about that, you will add the oil in step 3. I hope you love this salad! Have a great week! xx
Why do you leave the green leaves on the strawberries? Shouldn’t they be cut off?
Hi Susan,
Yes, you can go ahead and cut the greens off:) I hope you love this salad! xx
Hi HBH, is it possible to try to make the pictures more clear? They are blurry to me and it’s hard to see all of the ingredients. I’m not sure what needs to be adjusted on your camera, but something to make the detail more clear.
Hi Alison,
Thanks for sharing this suggestion. Are you able to give an example in one of the photos for me to be able to better understand? Which specific ingredients are hard to see. This would be super helpful! Thanks again! xx
The images are super crispy clear. I think you might need glasses. And also, one star?
She lists all the ingredients plain as day.. not sure why or how looking at a picture is going to help you with that or why you felt that was a good enough reason for giving the recipe a 1 star rating when you haven’t actually tried it