Strawberry and Lettuce Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

When summer hits, I find myself constantly craving something light, fresh, and packed with flavour. This Strawberry and Butter Lettuce Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette fits the bill perfectly. It’s an ideal dish for warm days when you want something easy and satisfying without turning on the stove. Ready in no time, this healthy delight is perfect for any gathering.

This dish has a special place in my heart, taking me back to when I moved to London. I remember going strawberry picking at a local farm, where a charming café served a strawberry, rocket, and feta salad. The first bite always felt like a celebration of the season—sweet, tangy, and utterly refreshing. Inspired by those delightful experiences, I’ve created this version with butter lettuce and a zesty citrus vinaigrette. With sweet strawberries, crispy cucumber, creamy avocado, and crunchy candied walnuts, it’s a no-fuss, no-cook recipe bursting with flavour. The citrus vinaigrette, featuring fresh orange, lemon, and mustard with a hint of maple syrup, takes this salad to the next level. It’s a simple, light, and flavourful dish that you’ll love all summer long.

This salad is light, refreshing, and full of flavour. The combination of sweet strawberries, crisp cucumbers, creamy avocado, fresh mint, and crunchy candied walnuts, all brought together with a tangy citrus vinaigrette, is simply irresistible. Lettuce provides a sturdy and crunchy base, making it a perfect choice over more delicate greens. This salad isn’t just delicious; it’s also beautiful, with vibrant colours and fresh ingredients that look as good as they taste.

Why You’ll Love This Salad

• Sweet strawberries paired with a tangy citrus vinaigrette make this salad refreshing, vibrant, and absolutely delicious!
• Quick and easy to prepare, it can be assembled in just under 30 minutes.
• The citrus vinaigrette with mustard and maple syrup adds a unique twist that will become a staple in your kitchen this season. Its bright, fresh flavours create a lively dressing that brings a burst of zest to any bowl of greens!
• Highly customizable to suit your tastes. Check out the different variations below.

Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Strawberry and Lettuce Salad

For the Salad:

• Fresh Strawberries: Choose ripe, sweet strawberries for maximum flavour.
• Butter Lettuce: Crisp and sturdy, perfect for holding the dressing.
• Cucumber: Adds a refreshing crunch.
• Avocado: Adds a creamy, rich texture.
• Candied Walnuts: For a sweet, crunchy element.
• Fresh Mint: Both in the dressing and as a garnish for a cool, fresh taste.

How to Make the Strawberry and Lettuce Salad:

1. Prepare the Lettuce: Remove the cores of the butter lettuce and chop or tear into bite-sized pieces. Place the lettuce in a large serving bowl.
2. Assemble the Salad: Add the strawberries, cucumber, mint, and half of the candied walnuts to the bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Dress the Salad: Pour half of the citrus vinaigrette over the salad and toss to combine.
4. Finish and Serve: Top the salad with avocado and the remaining candied walnuts. Drizzle the rest of the dressing (or as much as you’d like) over the top. Enjoy immediately.

Ingredients For the Citrus Vinaigrette Dressing:

• Citrus: Fresh orange and lemon juice with zest add a burst of flavour, balancing the sweetness and tartness in the dressing.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds tanginess to the dressing. You can replace it with more orange or lemon juice if you prefer.
• Pure Maple Syrup: Adds a touch of sweetness and depth of flavour. Honey can be used as an alternative.
• Dijon Mustard: Makes the dressing creamy and adds a hint of spice.
• Light Olive Oil: Provides a rich, smooth base. Avocado oil is a good substitute if desired.

How to Make Citrus Vinaigrette Dressing:

This vinaigrette comes together in no time!

1. Juice and Zest the Orange and Lemon: Use a fine grater to zest an orange, then squeeze its juice into a measuring jug. Do the same with the lemon.
2. Blend Ingredients: Add all the ingredients to a mason jar, seal the lid, and shake well. Alternatively, you can add everything to a blender and blend until smooth.

Helpful Tips and Tricks to Make Strawberry and Lettuce Salad:

• Use Fresh Ingredients: The fresher your ingredients, the better your salad will taste. Choose the ripest strawberries and freshest lettuce.
• Customise It: Add other fruits like blueberries or try different nuts to suit your taste.
• Prep Ahead: Slice the strawberries up to 2 hours in advance. Store them in a sealed container in the fridge until ready to use. Make the dressing a day or 2 in advance. Candies walnuts can be made up to a week in advance.
• Perfect Dressing: For the best flavour, emulsify the vinaigrette to get a creamy and lush dressing.

How to Cut Strawberries

• Quick and Easy: Remove the leafy top, flip the flat edge onto the cutting board, and slice. This method ensures uniform slices perfect for your salad.

Looking for More Salad Recipes?? Here are few of our favourites:

1. Quinoa Salad with Avocado Dressing
2. Burrata Tomatillo and Tomato Salad
3. Fresh Fenugreek Salad with Mango
4. Cold Noodle Salad with Tofu

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Strawberry and Lettuce Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

Serves: 6 Prep Time: 20 Minutes Cooking Time: 10 Minutes 10 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Rating: 5.0/5

( 2 voted )

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Ingredients

SALAD

• 1 head or lettuce of your choice
• 10-12 strawberries, sliced (2 cups)
• 1 cup sliced cucumber
• ¼ cup candies walnuts
• 2-3 tbsp mint leaves, finely chopped
• 1 ripe avocado, sliced
• black pepper

FOR THE CITRUS VINAIGRETTE

• 2 tbsp organic apple cider vinegar
• 3 tbsp orange juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 tbsp lemon juice, fresh
• 1.5 tsp zest of orange and lemon each
• 2.5 tsp dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1.5 tbsp mint leaves , minced or finely chopped
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp salt
• 150ml of light olive oil

FOR CANDIED WALNUTS

• 1 cup walnut halves or pieces
• 2 tbsp light brown sugar, packed
• 2 tbsp honey or agave
•  ⅛ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted or vegan butter

method

How to Make Citrus Vinaigrette Dressing

1. Juice and Zest the Orange and Lemon: Use a fine grater to zest an orange, then squeeze its juice into a measuring jug. Do the same with the lemon.
2. Blend Ingredients: Add all the ingredients to a mason jar, seal the lid, and shake well. Alternatively, you can add everything to a blender and blend until smooth.

How to Make Candied Walnuts

1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 175°C and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the Walnuts: In a large bowl, combine the walnuts, brown sugar, honey, salt, and melted butter. Mix until the walnuts are thoroughly coated.
3. Spread and Bake: Spread the coated walnuts in a single layer on the lined baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, stirring them halfway through. The walnuts are ready when they turn a deep brown.
4. Cool the Walnuts: Remove the walnuts from the oven and stir them, spreading them out on the baking sheet. Let them cool for 5 minutes, then stir again. Allow the walnuts to cool completely before serving. If they are not as crunchy as desired after cooling, return them to the oven for an additional 5-7 minutes.

How to Assemble the salad:

1. Prepare the Lettuce: Remove the cores of the butter lettuce and chop or tear into bite-sized pieces. Place the lettuce in a large serving bowl.
2. Prepare the Vegetables and Fruit: Clean and slice the strawberries and cucumber. Chop the mint leaves.
3. Assemble the Salad: Add the strawberries, cucumber, mint, and half of the candied walnuts to the bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Dress the Salad: Pour half of the citrus vinaigrette over the salad and toss to combine.
5. Finish and Serve: Top the salad with avocado and the remaining candied walnuts. Drizzle the rest of the dressing (or as much as you’d like) over the top. Enjoy immediately.

 

Did You Make This Recipe?

If you did, take a picture and tag me on Instagram at @poetryofspices!