This vibrant spring mix salad combines tender baby greens with sweet strawberries, creamy goat cheese, crunchy candied pecans, and a bright balsamic vinaigrette that ties everything together perfectly. Ready in just 15 minutes, this versatile salad works beautifully as a light lunch, elegant starter, or accompaniment to any spring or summer meal. The colorful presentation and balanced flavors make it a standout dish for both everyday enjoyment and special occasions!
Spring mix salad has saved countless dinner parties and weeknight meals in my household. I discovered the magic of this particular combination—tender greens, sweet berries, tangy cheese, and crunchy nuts—when hosting my first grown-up dinner party years ago. I needed something impressive yet foolproof that wouldn’t keep me stuck in the kitchen while guests arrived.
What makes this salad special is how the contrasting flavors and textures create something greater than the sum of its parts. The peppery notes in the spring mix are balanced by sweet strawberries, while creamy goat cheese provides richness that’s cut by the tangy balsamic dressing. The candied pecans add that perfect sweet crunch that makes each bite interesting. It’s sophisticated enough for entertaining but simple enough for everyday meals.
Why You’ll Love This Spring Mix Salad Recipe
- Quick preparation – Ready in just 15 minutes
- No cooking required – Perfect for warm weather
- Visually stunning – Natural colors create beautiful presentation
- Versatile serving options – Works as starter, side, or light main dish
- Customizable – Easy to adapt based on seasonal availability
- Balanced nutrition – Provides greens, protein, healthy fats, and antioxidants
- Crowd-pleaser – Appeals to both salad enthusiasts and skeptics
- Restaurant quality – Rivals expensive restaurant salads at a fraction of the cost
This recipe has become my go-to when I need to impress without stress. The combination of flavors works for nearly any occasion, and the ingredients are readily available year-round in most grocery stores (though strawberries are especially delicious in spring and summer).
Ingredients for Spring Mix Salad
- 8 cups spring mix – Provides tender, multi-textured base with varied flavors
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced – Adds natural sweetness and vibrant color
- 4 oz goat cheese, crumbled – Contributes creamy tanginess
- 1 cup candied pecans – Delivers sweet crunch and protein
- 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced – Offers sharp contrast and beautiful purple color
For the Balsamic Vinaigrette:
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil – Creates silky base
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar – Provides sweet-tart flavor
- 1 tablespoon honey – Balances acidity with natural sweetness
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard – Acts as emulsifier and flavor enhancer
- 1 small clove garlic, minced – Adds subtle aromatic depth
- 1/4 teaspoon salt – Enhances all flavors
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper – Adds gentle spice
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
For the greens: True spring mix contains a variety of baby lettuces, often including arugula, mizuna, oak leaf, and other varieties. If unavailable, use a mix of baby spinach and arugula. For a milder flavor, use baby spinach alone.
For the fruit: While strawberries offer perfect spring flavor, blueberries, raspberries, sliced peaches, or mandarin oranges make excellent seasonal substitutes. For a savory twist, try sliced apples or pears in fall and winter.
For the cheese: Goat cheese provides the ideal creamy tanginess, but feta, blue cheese, or even burrata offer interesting alternatives. For a dairy-free version, try avocado slices.
For the nuts: Candied pecans add delightful sweetness and crunch. For a less sweet option, use toasted walnuts, sliced almonds, or pumpkin seeds. For nut allergies, try roasted chickpeas or crispy quinoa.
How to Make Perfect Spring Mix Salad
This simple salad comes together quickly with just a bit of preparation. The key is proper assembly and dressing technique.
Step 1: Make the Balsamic Vinaigrette
In a small bowl or jar, combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
Whisk vigorously until emulsified, or seal the jar and shake well until combined.
Set aside to allow flavors to develop while preparing the salad.
Pro tip: Make the dressing up to 3 days ahead and store in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature and shake well before using.
Step 2: Prepare the Salad Ingredients
Gently wash and thoroughly dry the spring mix using a salad spinner or clean kitchen towels. Proper drying prevents diluted dressing and soggy greens.
Hull and slice the strawberries into 1/4-inch slices.
If making your own candied pecans, prepare them ahead of time and allow to cool completely. Otherwise, have store-bought candied pecans ready.
Thinly slice the red onion. For milder onion flavor, soak slices in cold water for 10 minutes, then drain and pat dry.
Crumble the goat cheese, keeping some larger pieces for visual appeal.
Step 3: Assemble the Salad
In a large salad bowl, place the spring mix as the base layer.
Arrange sliced strawberries, red onion slices, and larger pieces of goat cheese over the greens.
Scatter the candied pecans across the top.
Pro tip: Reserve some of each topping to sprinkle over the dressed salad for the most beautiful presentation.
Step 4: Dress and Serve
For individual servings, portion the undressed salad onto plates and allow guests to add dressing to taste.
For family-style serving, add dressing to the large bowl just before serving. Start with about half the dressing, tossing gently to coat the greens without bruising them. Add more dressing as needed.
Finish with a final sprinkle of reserved toppings and a few grinds of fresh black pepper.
Serve immediately after dressing.
Tips for Perfect Spring Mix Salad Every Time
- Dry your greens thoroughly – Water repels oil-based dressing and creates diluted flavor
- Dress lightly – Spring mix is delicate and easily overwhelmed by too much dressing
- Season at multiple stages – Light salt on strawberries enhances their sweetness
- Serve at the right temperature – Remove goat cheese from refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving
- Use room temperature dressing – Cold dressing doesn’t distribute as evenly
- Layer flavors strategically – Place some ingredients beneath the greens for flavor in every bite
- Don’t overdress – Start with less dressing than you think you need
- Dress just before serving – Tender greens wilt quickly once dressed
Serving Suggestions for Spring Mix Salad
This versatile salad pairs beautifully with many dishes:
- As a light lunch – Serve with crusty bread and a glass of rosé
- Before dinner – As an elegant starter before grilled fish or chicken
- Alongside brunch – Pairs wonderfully with quiche or frittata
- With grilled proteins – Complements grilled chicken, salmon, or flank steak
- At dinner parties – Serves beautifully on a buffet table
- For picnics – Pack components separately and assemble on site
- With pasta – Balances rich dishes like lasagna or fettuccine alfredo
- For holidays – Makes a fresh addition to Easter or Mother’s Day menus
For an elevated dinner party presentation, serve individual portions on chilled plates with extra dressing on the side.
How to Store Spring Mix Salad Components
For maximum freshness, store components separately until ready to serve.
Spring mix: Store unwashed in original packaging or in a container lined with paper towels. Place a dry paper towel on top to absorb moisture. Seal and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Prepared dressing: Store in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Bring to room temperature and shake well before using.
Sliced strawberries: Best used immediately after slicing. If necessary, store in a single layer on paper towels in a sealed container for up to 24 hours.
Candied pecans: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Crumbled goat cheese: Keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Dressed salad: Does not store well once dressed. If you anticipate leftovers, dress only the portion you plan to eat immediately.
Variations on Spring Mix Salad
Want to customize your salad? Try these delicious variations:
Summer Berry Version: Replace strawberries with a mixture of blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. Use champagne vinaigrette instead of balsamic.
Autumn Harvest: Substitute pears or apples for strawberries, walnuts for pecans, and blue cheese for goat cheese. Add dried cranberries for extra sweetness.
Mediterranean Twist: Add cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and kalamata olives. Replace goat cheese with feta and use a lemon-herb vinaigrette.
Protein-Packed Meal: Top with grilled chicken or salmon. Add avocado for extra healthy fats.
Vegan Version: Omit cheese and add diced avocado and roasted chickpeas. Use maple syrup instead of honey in the dressing.
Asian-Inspired: Substitute mandarin oranges for strawberries, almonds for pecans, and use a sesame-ginger dressing. Add edamame for protein.
Why This Spring Mix Salad Recipe Works
After refining this recipe through countless iterations, I’ve found it consistently delivers exceptional results because:
- The contrast of flavors creates perfect balance—sweet strawberries against tangy goat cheese, with peppery greens and balsamic sweetness
- The mix of textures provides interest in every bite—tender greens, juicy berries, creamy cheese, and crunchy nuts
- The emulsified dressing clings perfectly to the delicate greens without weighing them down
- The visual composition creates an appetizing presentation with minimal effort
- The adaptability allows for seasonal variations while maintaining the core flavor profile
This salad embodies the essence of spring dining—fresh, vibrant, and effortless. It celebrates seasonal produce while providing enough substance to satisfy, making it perfect for everything from casual family meals to elegant entertaining.
I hope this spring mix salad becomes a regular in your recipe rotation. Its versatility, ease of preparation, and consistent results make it a reliable choice for busy home cooks who still want to bring beautiful, nutritious food to the table.
Spring Mix Salad Recipe with Strawberries and Goat Cheese
Description
Spring mix salad has saved countless dinner parties and weeknight meals in my household. I discovered the magic of this particular combination—tender greens, sweet berries, tangy cheese, and crunchy nuts—when hosting my first grown-up dinner party years ago.
What You'll Need
Instructions
-
1. In a small bowl or jar, combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Whisk vigorously until emulsified, or seal the jar and shake well until combined. Set aside to allow flavors to develop while preparing the salad.
2. Gently wash and thoroughly dry the spring mix using a salad spinner or clean kitchen towels. Proper drying prevents diluted dressing and soggy greens.
3. Hull and slice the strawberries into 1/4-inch slices. Thinly slice the red onion. For milder onion flavor, soak slices in cold water for 10 minutes, then drain and pat dry. Crumble the goat cheese, keeping some larger pieces for visual appeal.
4. In a large salad bowl, place the spring mix as the base layer. Arrange sliced strawberries, red onion slices, and larger pieces of goat cheese over the greens. Scatter the candied pecans across the top.
5. For individual servings, portion the undressed salad onto plates and allow guests to add dressing to taste. For family-style serving, add dressing to the large bowl just before serving. Start with about half the dressing, tossing gently to coat the greens without bruising them. Add more dressing as needed.
6. Finish with a final sprinkle of reserved toppings and a few grinds of fresh black pepper. Serve immediately after dressing..
Nutrition Facts
Servings 6
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 320kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 25g39%
- Saturated Fat 6g30%
- Cholesterol 15mg5%
- Sodium 210mg9%
- Total Carbohydrate 20g7%
- Sugars 14g
- Protein 7g15%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
This salad is best assembled just before serving, as the delicate spring greens will wilt once dressed. For make-ahead preparation, store all components separately and combine at the last minute. The dressing can be made up to a week in advance and stored in the refrigerator - just bring to room temperature and shake well before using. For the best presentation, reserve some of the strawberries, goat cheese, and candied pecans to sprinkle on top after tossing the salad with dressing.
