Strawberry Spring Mix Salad with Apricots and Pistachios
Strawberry spring mix salad is loaded with flavors and textures, making each bite unique. Spring mix lettuce is tossed in a sweet shallot dressing. Then, it is topped with sliced strawberries, avocado, dried apricots, and pistachios. Enjoy this salad as a meal or for special occasions and holidays.
I am so excited to share my strawberry spring mix salad recipe with you. It is a salad loaded with tons of flavors and textures, where each bite has a slightly different flavor. I love it as a meal when I am craving something fresh. It is also perfect as a holiday or special occasion salad like Easter or Mother’s Day.
I have made this salad vegan, but if you want to add cheese, I highly recommend creamy goat cheese! You can make this salad in under ten minutes. To be honest, it’s hard to imagine something this good can be ready in ten minutes!
Strawberry Spring Mix Salad
At a Glance
EASE: Very easy!
CUISINE: American with touches of Mediterranean.
COURSE: Lunch or dinner. Holidays and special occasions.
TIME: 10 minutes
DIET: Vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free.
Why You Will Love This Salad
Key Ingredients
Balsamic Vinegar Reduction
One of my all-time favorite ingredients and a must-have for homemade salad dressings. Unlike traditional balsamic vinegar, this is simmered down into a rich, syrupy sweet glaze. You can find it in many of my recipes, including simple olive oil and balsamic vinegar bread dip
Dried Apricots
Dried apricots add a concentrated sweetness without overpowering the salad. They’re a staple in Middle Eastern cooking, and since I use them so often, they’ve become my go-to. If it’s not your thing, golden raisins or craisins for a similar sweetness.
Fresh Mint
I learned to add fresh mint to salads from my Lebanese family. It adds pops of fresh flavor.
Pistachios
Pistachios bring the right texture without overpowering the other flavors. It is not traditional for cooking, but I prefer salted pistachios. You can use unsalted, too. It comes down to personal preference.
Spring Mix
Spring mix gives this salad a light and fresh springy feel. But you are not limited to spring mix. Romain, arugula, and red kale would also taste great.
Strawberries
Adding fruit to a salad is one of my favorite things. Strawberries, in particular, because they add a beautiful bright red color and add a sweet and slightly tangy flavor.
Sweetener
A little sweetness ties the dressing together and rounds out the acidity. I used agave syrup, but maple syrup or honey work just as well, and you can use the same measurements for an easy swap.
See the recipe card for the complete ingredient list and measurements.
Personalize This Recipe
- Switch out the ingredients to match your favorite flavors.
- Cheese – goat or feta cheese would taste great with the ingredients in this salad. If you are vegan, try vegan feta. It’s the only vegan cheese that tastes like the real thing.
- Dried Fruit – If you do not have pistachios, I recommend using any other dried fruit you have on hand. My favorites include golden raisins, dates, and craisns.
- Nuts – instead of pistachios, try pecans or macadamia nuts.
Strawberry Spring Mix Salad with Apricots and Pistachios
Ingredients
Ingredients for the Salad
- 4 cups spring mix lettuce
- 1 cup strawberries thinly sliced
- 1 ripe avocado sliced
- ¼ cup dried apricots chopped
- ¼ cup pistachios roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint thinly sliced
Ingredients for the Shallot Dressing
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for cooking shallots
- 1 small shallot finely chopped
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar reduction
- 1 teaspoon sweetener (agave syrup, honey, maple or agave syrup)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Make the Shallot Dressing
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a small pan over medium-low heat. Add the shallots and cook for 2-3 minutes, until fragrant and lightly golden. Remove from heat and pat dry with a paper towel.
- In a small jar, combine the cooked shallots, additional olive oil, lemon juice, balsamic reduction, and agave syrup. Secure the lid and shake well. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then shake again to mix everything thoroughly.
- Set aside, or store in the fridge if making ahead (it will last up to a week).
Assemble the Salad
- Divide the spring mix lettuce evenly between 2 to 4 serving bowls.
- Artfully arrange the sliced strawberries, avocado, and dried apricots on top of the lettuce.
- Sprinkle the pistachios over each salad for a crunchy contrast.
Dress the Salad
- Drizzle the prepared shallot dressing over each salad, then finish with a sprinkle of fresh mint leaves.
Love the paper towel tip!
Thank you!!! It makes a huge difference