Fresh, juicy strawberries meet aromatic basil and crisp greens in this light and refreshing Strawberry Basil Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette. Tossed with a simple homemade dressing, this salad is a sweet, savory, and slightly tangy dish that's perfect for spring and summer meals.
This recipe was inspired by my love for fresh berries and herbs coming from my garden, much like my Strawberry Rhubarb Salad recipe. Combining ripe strawberries and fresh basil into a salad seemed like the perfect way to celebrate those seasonal flavors in a way that's both simple and elegant.
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Why You'll Love This Salad
Versatile: Easy to customize with different fruits, cheeses, or nuts.
Fresh and Flavorful: Every bite bursts with juicy strawberries and fragrant basil.
Healthy and Light: Perfect for a light lunch or as a side for dinner.
Homemade Vinaigrette: Adds just the right balance of sweetness and tang.
Ingredient Substitution Ideas
- Swap strawberries for blueberries or raspberries if preferred.
- Use arugula or baby spinach instead of romaine lettuce.
- Substitute feta cheese with goat cheese or blue cheese for a different flavor twist.
Recipe Variations
Creamy Twist: Add pearl mozzarella balls, creamy burrata, or a few slices of creamy grilled avocado.
Add Protein: Toss in some grilled chicken or shrimp for a full meal.
Nuts and Seeds: Sprinkle toasted walnuts, almonds, pinenuts, or sunflower seeds for a little crunch.
Fruit Switch: Mix in fresh peaches or nectarines along with the strawberries.
Top Tips for Preparing This Salad
- Use the ripest strawberries you can find for maximum sweetness.
- Tear the basil by hand instead of cutting it to preserve its flavor and aroma.
- Whisk the vinaigrette well until it emulsifies before drizzling it over the salad.
- Dress the salad just before serving to keep the greens crisp.
How to Store
Store any undressed salad and vinaigrette separately in airtight containers. The greens and berries are best eaten within 1-2 days. The vinaigrette will keep refrigerated for up to a week.
Serving Suggestions
Finish with a sweet sip of Strawberry Mojito to keep those fresh berry flavors going.
Serve this salad with a slice of Garlic Chicken Pizza for a fun and delicious lunch combo.
Pair it with Air Fryer Pork Chops for a simple and hearty weeknight dinner.
Enjoy alongside a bowl of Instant Pot Cauliflower Soup for a cozy and comforting meal.
Related Recipes
When you make this recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!
If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating
📖 Recipe
Strawberry-Basil Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
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Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 8 cups torn romaine lettuce
- 2 cups sliced strawberries 1 pound
- ½ cup vertically sliced Vidalia or other sweet onion
- ¼ cup torn fresh basil
Instructions
- Combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl; stir well with a whisk. Add romaine lettuce, sliced strawberries, sliced onion, and torn basil; toss gently to coat. Serve salad immediately.
Notes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 8 cups torn romaine lettuce
- 2 cups sliced strawberries (1 pound)
- ½ cup vertically sliced Vidalia or other sweet onion
- ¼ cup torn fresh basil
- Combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl; stir well with a whisk. Add romaine lettuce, sliced strawberries, sliced onion, and torn basil; toss gently to coat. Serve salad immediately.
Jamie says
This salad looks so healthy and refreshing. I saw this recipe in the CL magazine. I need to make it. Wasn't it fun doing a Cooking Light week? My sister-in-law Aggie and myself enjoyed doing a CL week together last month.
Tangled Noodle says
This is such a perfect summer salad!
Olga says
That salad looks great! I like the addition of basil
Jenna Z says
Oh yum! This salad looks like one I had at the local University's teaching kitchen! The picture looks like it has almonds on top, but there aren't almonds in the recipe. Are they plain or candied almonds?
TeaLady says
Strawberries in salad. That sounds amazing.
tferero says
Yummy. This Salad looks so good! I don't generally like mixing fruit with salad, so I would probably have to move those strawberries off to the side and eat them separately, but it looks great, just the same!! I always love your posts... T.
Allie says
I love the color of strawberries in a salad!
gail says
mmm, strawberries in salads are so lovely! I love your recipe!
PheMom says
This is my absolute favorite kind of salad! Yours looks so great!
Bunny says
What a lovely salad Shelby! You and val are doing a terrific job!
Reeni♥ says
What a refreshing and sweet salad!! Lovely flavors.
♥peachkins♥ says
This salad looks so refreshing.Perfect for summer.
Meghan says
Hmmm.. I'd love to try the salad with peaches or apricots.
noble pig says
This is fun, tomorrow I'm posting a Cooking Light recipe too! This salad looks delish.
etirv says
This is a wonderful recipe for summer!
delilah0180 AT yahoo DOT com
Linda says
Right up my alley, HoneyB, I just did something similar last night, and I feel like I just discovered the most exciting thing ever with strawberries in salad!
I'll definitely have to try yours--and the pics look great!
Helene says
We will have our strawberry season at the end of June. I should make this delicious salad.
Natalie says
love strawberries in salads--this looks like a great one to try! 🙂
thanks again for the giveaway!
(natalie.mclaury@gmail.com)
Delectable Dining says
So refreshing! This looks like a great summer meal!
Ingrid says
Great photos! I'm all over this one!
~ingrid
Creative One says
These pictures look awesome! This was one great tasting salad.
recipes2share says
This is really fresh and delicious. What a beautiful flavour combination.
the ungourmet says
Yum! I love this kind of salad! The added toasted almonds is terrific!
maybelle's mom says
I love fruit in salad. and fruit and nuts are even better.
Barbara Bakes says
I haven't tried fresh basil in a salad. I sure it pairs great with the strawberries!
Bellini Valli says
Those strawberries are calling me Shelby from your beautiful photo. Thanks for continuing this journey together for a week of Cooking Light:D
Jessie says
This salad looks so refreshing! The strawberries do make the salad look pretty too
Marthe says
This looks delish Shelby!! I wish I'd be able to buy the Cooking Light magazine in The Netherlands, but now that I'm in Canada I'm so picking up a copy!!
Maria says
This is my kind of salad! Looks great!
Patsyk says
I recently made a strawberry salad that was so delicious! I agree, it's better to drizzle a bit of dressing at the point you serve rather than with the whole salad. Looks gorgeous!
Coleen's Recipes says
I love the photo!! I have just recently discovered the joy of fruit in my green salad (I posted a baby spinach and orange recipe). Yours looks delicious and I want to give it a try. I'd love to enter your competition.