Summer Berry Salad
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This summer berry salad is loaded with fresh berries, candied walnuts and feta all tossed in a light white balsamic vinaigrette. Ready in 15 minutes and perfect for 4th of July cookouts and summer gatherings.
Every summer there are a handful of recipes I find myself making on repeat and this berry salad is always one of them. It is the one I bring to every 4th of July cookout, every potluck, every backyard dinner where I want something fresh and beautiful without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.
If you love fruit forward salads you are also going to want to try my strawberry spinach salad and my watermelon salad with feta and basil for two more easy options that are just as crowd pleasing.
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Berry Salad Recipe
- Perfect for the 4th of July: The red strawberries and blueberries on a bed of greens make this one of the most naturally festive dishes you can bring to a summer celebration without any extra effort.
- The candied walnuts are everything: Store bought nuts are fine but once you make my candied walnuts you will never go back. That sweet crunchy coating alongside the fresh berries and tangy feta is what makes this salad genuinely unforgettable.
- Ready in 15 minutes: Just make the dressing, prep the candied walnuts and toss everything together. That is genuinely all there is to it.
- Endlessly customizable: Swap the cheese, add a protein, throw in some raspberries or blackberries. This salad is really just a starting point and it works beautifully no matter how you build it.
“This was such a nice change from the usual salad I throw together. I’ve been trying to step up my salad game, and this one totally did it. The crunch from the candied walnuts with the feta is SO good, and the dressing ties everything together without overpowering the berries. Definitely making this again!”
Ingredients Needed
- baby greens – the perfect base for this salad since the leaves are tender and have a mild flavor that lets the berries shine. I love the OrganicGirl Supergreens for the base, but you can definitely use a single variety of baby green like spinach, kale or arugula.
- blueberries and strawberries – the berries are the star of the show here. I love the burst of flavor and sweetness fresh berries add to salad!
- feta cheese – adds a salty creamy element that balances the sweetness of the berries perfectly. Blue cheese or goat cheese work as great substitutes if feta is not your thing.
- candied walnuts – the secret ingredient that takes this salad from good to truly great. The sweet crunchy coating is absolutely incredible alongside the fresh berries. Raw or toasted walnuts work too if you are short on time but the candied version is worth the extra few minutes.
- dressing – an easy-to-make white balsamic vinaigrette that combines olive oil, white balsamic vinegar, honey or maple syrup and fresh garlic. It has a light and sweet flavor, making it a perfect complement to this fresh summer salad.
Find the full ingredient list with measurements in the recipe card below.
How to Make Summer Berry Salad
Once you get a little prep out of the way, by making the dressing and the candied walnuts, this salad comes together in a matter of minutes!
Make candied walnuts: Toast walnuts for 10 minutes. While walnuts cool, combine coconut sugar and water in a saucepan. Once sugar dissolves, add cinnamon, vanilla and salt. Mix in the walnuts and then spread on a lined baking sheet. They will cool and harden quickly.
Make dressing: While the candied walnuts are cooling, make the white balsamic vinaigrette by whisking together all ingredients in a glass bowl or jar until combined. Another option is to add all ingredients to a mason jar and shake to combine.
Prepare salad: Add greens to a large bowl and top with berries, cheese and candied walnuts. Add dressing and toss just before serving or leave dressing on the side and allow everyone to dress their own salad.
Brittany’s Tips
- Make the candied walnuts ahead of time: They keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks so you can absolutely make a big batch and have them ready to go whenever you need them.
- Do not dress the salad until right before serving: The greens will wilt quickly once the dressing is added. If you are bringing this to a cookout or potluck keep the dressing separate and toss everything together right before serving for the best texture.
- Use the freshest berries you can find: Peak summer berries from your local farmers market will always give you the best flavor. Ripe strawberries and sweet blueberries make this salad so much better than anything you can get out of season.
How to Serve Summer Berry Salad
This salad works beautifully as a side dish or a complete meal depending on how you build it:
- As a side at a cookout: This is the perfect bring-along for a summer gathering. Pair it alongside my spinach and feta turkey burgers, tempeh veggie burgers or black bean sweet potato burgers for a complete and crowd pleasing spread.
- As a meal sized salad: Top it with a protein to make it a full dinner. Blackened salmon, grilled shrimp or apple cider vinegar chicken are all incredible options alongside the sweet berry flavors.
- With added grains: Toss in some cooked quinoa or farro to make it even heartier and more satisfying as a standalone lunch or dinner.
Storage
This salad is best assembled and served fresh but here is how to handle leftovers:
Refrigerator: Store any leftover dressed salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day though the greens will soften as they sit. If you know you will have leftovers keep the dressing on the side and store the salad components separately for up to 2 days.
Candied walnuts: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Make a big batch and keep them on hand for salads all week long.
Dressing: The white balsamic vinaigrette keeps in the fridge for up to 2 weeks in a sealed jar. Give it a good shake before using.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes but I recommend keeping all the components separate until right before serving. The greens will wilt once dressed and the candied walnuts will soften if they sit in the dressing too long. Assemble everything and toss with dressing right before serving for the best results.
Blue cheese or goat cheese both work beautifully as substitutes. For a dairy free option simply skip the cheese entirely or use your favorite vegan cheese alternative.
Absolutely. The white balsamic vinaigrette is my personal favorite here but a red wine vinaigrette, creamy balsamic vinaigrette or balsamic dressing all pair really well with the fresh berries.
More Summer Salad Recipes to Try
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Summer Berry Salad with Candied Walnuts and Feta
Ingredients
- 10 oz baby greens
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, quartered
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese, blue cheese or goat cheese
- 1 cup candied walnuts
- white balsamic vinaigrette dressing
Instructions
- Make the candied walnuts and the white balsamic dressing.
- Add greens to a large bowl and top with berries, cheese and candied walnuts.10 oz baby greens, 1 cup fresh blueberries, 1 cup fresh strawberries, ½ cup crumbled feta cheese, 1 cup candied walnuts
- Add dressing and toss just before serving or leave dressing on the side and allow everyone to dress their own salad.white balsamic vinaigrette dressing
Notes
- Candied Walnuts: Toast walnuts in a skillet over medium heat. While cooling combine coconut sugar and a splash of water in a small saucepan until sugar dissolves then add cinnamon, vanilla and salt. Toss walnuts in the mixture and spread on a lined baking sheet to cool and harden. Full recipe at candied walnuts.
- White Balsamic Vinaigrette: Whisk together olive oil, white balsamic vinegar, honey or maple syrup, minced garlic, sea salt and pepper until combined. Full recipe at white balsamic vinaigrette.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like This Recipe? Rate & Comment Below!
This was such a nice change from the usual salad I throw together. I’ve been trying to step up my salad game, and this one totally did it. The crunch from the candied walnuts with the feta is SO good, and the dressing ties everything together without overpowering the berries. Definitely making this again!
Yay! So glad you enjoyed this recipe, Emma. Thanks for coming back to leave a review. I really appreciate it!
I have nothing say thank you.I AM GOING TO TRY IT THANKS.
Enjoy!
Can I substitute regular white vinegar and/or balsamic vinegar for the white balsamic vinegar?
Yes, that should be fine. Let me know how this salad turns out if you try it!
Love how fresh and colorful this is!
Thank you so much, Sylvie!
Love the maple walnuts paired with all of those fresh berries!
This salad looks amazing, perfect for summer time lunch!!
It seriously is the perfect summer salad!! 🙂
This salad is soo beautiful! I love fresh fruit in my salad 😀
Toodles,
Tammy<3
Thank you so much, Tammy!
What a delicious looking salad!
Thank you so much! <3
This looks so cool!!!
Izzy | https://plantbasedizzy.wordpress.com/
Thanks so much, Izzy!
This looks delicious!! I love the festive colors 🙂
Thanks Liz!