Name: Arugula Salad with Pickled Onions
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 2.5 ounces baby arugula; 2.5 ounces baby spinach; 1.5 cups ripe strawberries (trimmed and chopped); 1 ripe avocado (peeled and sliced); 1/3 cup feta cheese; 1/3 cup pickled red onions; 1/4 cup raw shelled pistachios; 2/3 cup ripe strawberries (chopped); 1/4 cup avocado oil; 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar (or rice vinegar); 1.5 Tbsp honey (or pure maple syrup); 1.5 Tbsp stone ground mustard (or dijon mustard); 1/4 tsp sea salt (to taste)

Arugula Salad with pickled red onions, feta cheese, crunchy pistachios, creamy avocado and homemade strawberry vinaigrette is a fresh, ultra flavorful salad perfect for serving as a side dish! Add your favorite protein to turn it into a main entree!

Wooden bowl of Strawberry Salad with pickled onions, feta, and strawberry vinaigrette with a bowl of fresh strawberries to the side and a fork.

What makes a salad amazing? Well. I have opinions.

There needs to be a sweet, tangy, and creamy element, lots of bulk, and plenty of crunch, and the whole thing needs to be vibrant and pretty.

For me, if those boxes are checked? I’m so in. If not? Foggetaboutit.

This strawberry salad with pickled red onions, feta, avocado, pistachios, and homemade strawberry vinaigrette checks every box with flying colors. It’s bright, fresh, sweet, salty, creamy, crunchy, and just all-around magical.

You can serve it as-is for a simple, showy side – or toss in grilled chicken and call it dinner. Either way, it’s the kind of salad you actually get excited about.

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Arugula Salad

This isn’t just a bowl of greens. It’s a textural masterpiece. The peppery bite of arugula balances the juicy sweetness of strawberries. Pickled onions bring zip, while feta and avocado add creaminess and richness.

Pistachios give a perfect, salty crunch, and the strawberry vinaigrette ties it all together with a light, tangy finish that makes everything pop. It’s bold, balanced, and surprisingly satisfying – especially for something that takes just 15 minutes to toss together. In short, it’s:

Fast to make
Packed with flavor and texture
Make-ahead friendly
Super customizable
Keep it light or make it filling

Ingredients For This Summer Arugula Salad

Baby arugula: Peppery and bold. It gives the salad a bit of bite. Swap with baby kale or more spinach for a milder mix.

Baby spinach: Mild, soft greens to balance the arugula. Any leafy base works – mixed greens or romaine are fine too.

Strawberries: Juicy and sweet, they tie everything together. No ripe strawberries? Blueberries, raspberries, or thinly sliced peaches work beautifully and keep things seasonal.

Avocado: Creamy and rich, avocado is a great contrast to the vinaigrette. No avocado? Add more nuts or a creamy cheese.

Feta cheese: Salty and tangy, it adds pop. Goat cheese is great here too, or skip it for a dairy-free version.

Pickled red onions: Sweet-tart crunch that brightens the bowl. In a rush? Use raw red onion, but pickled is worth the few extra minutes.

Pistachios: Crunchy and slightly sweet. Not into it? Try chopped pecans, toasted walnuts, or almonds, for a different nutty flavor. Or use sunflower seeds to keep it nut-free.

Strawberry Vinaigrette Ingredients:

Strawberries: Fresh berries give flavor and color. Frozen (thawed) works fine in a pinch.

Avocado oil: Neutral and smooth, avocado oil lets the strawberry flavor shine. Olive oil adds more flavor but still works.

Balsamic or rice vinegar: For that tangy punch. Balsamic vinegar is deeper; rice vinegar is lighter. Apple cider vinegar works too.

Honey or maple syrup: Just enough sweetness. Use whichever you prefer.

Stone-ground or Dijon mustard: Adds a little zing and thickens the dressing. Yellow mustard’s okay. It is just a bit milder.

Sea salt: Balances everything. Any salt you like will do the job.

How To Make The Arugula Strawberry Salad

First, if you’re pickling your onions, start those early so they have time to soak up all that tangy-sweet flavor. Never pickled onions before? I have a full guide!

While those are doing their thing, make the strawberry vinaigrette. Just blend everything until smooth and silky, then pop it in a jar and refrigerate until ready.

When you’re ready to serve, add the arugula, spinach, strawberries, avocado, feta, pistachios, and pickled onions to a big bowl.

Drizzle with your vinaigrette, toss gently, and serve right away – or keep everything prepped and add the dressing at the last minute if you’re packing it to go.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip pickling the onions?

Sure thing! Use raw red onion slices, thinly sliced, and let them sit in the fridge for 10 minutes to mellow.

Can I make the dressing in advance?

Absolutely – store in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.

Is this salad good for meal prep?

Sort of – it’s best fresh, but you can prep components ahead (greens, chopped berries, vinaigrette). Keep the avocado and dressing separate until you’re ready to eat.

Is this salad filling enough for a meal?

As-is, it’s light. Just top with protein or toss in grains to make it satisfying.

Is the vinaigrette sweet?

Lightly! The berries and honey/maple add a natural sweetness, but the vinegar and mustard keep it tangy and balanced.

Recipe Adaptations and Additions

Add protein – Turn this salad into a full meal by topping it with grilled chicken, sautéed shrimp, seared salmon, or crispy chickpeas.
Add grains – Toss in cooked quinoa, farro, or couscous to bulk it up and make the salad more filling.
Add crunch in new ways – Try roasted chickpeas, crispy shallots, or broken sourdough croutons for texture variety.
Sweet boost – A few thin slices of dried figs or medjool dates chopped up give rich sweetness that pairs beautifully with salty cheese.
Zingy extras – A spoonful of capers or chopped olives adds briny depth (great if skipping cheese).
Citrus twist – Add orange or grapefruit segments for a juicy, tangy contrast to the strawberries.
Fresh herb lift – Sprinkle in torn basil, mint, or dill to brighten the whole salad with an extra layer of flavor.
Roasted veg – Add cooled, roasted beets, sweet potatoes, or asparagus for more substance and color.

What to Serve with This Strawberry Vinaigrette Salad

This salad is bright, fresh, and satisfying, and works well with a variety of mains if you’re looking to round out the meal. Whether you’re serving it as a starter or turning it into a light lunch, or dinner, here are some pairing ideas to try:

Other Summer Salad Recipes to Try