Sweet
Peppery
Crunchy
Fresh
Satisfying
All of that fun goes into this fantastic salad. Hello, summer!
It’s just too darn hot to eat anything but salads and spring rolls these days.
Portland is experiencing a serious heat wave that’s only been intensified by our lack of air conditioning.
I’m trying to keep my oven off as much as possible, but my one exception is these brown sugar roasted pecans. They’re crispy, salty-sweet, and toast up beautifully while you prepare the rest of your salad. And trust me, you’re gonna want this salad.
This recipe is simple, requiring just 30 minutes and right around 10 ingredients (give or take a hemp seed).
Despite being light and fresh, pecans add serious heartiness and healthy fats while hemp seeds provide all 20 amino acids (including all 9 essential amino acids our bodies can’t produce) and 10 grams of protein!
Split this recipe into two for a healthy, hearty summer entree. Or, divide it four ways and serve it as a side dish to veggie burgers, pizza, pasta and more.
If you give this recipe a try, let us know what you think! Leave a comment and rate it, and don’t forget to tag a picture #minimalistbaker on Instagram so we can see. Cheers, friends!
Strawberry Arugula Salad
Ingredients
ROASTED PECANS
- 1/2 cup raw pecan halves
- 1 1/2 Tbsp coconut oil (or sub vegan butter or olive oil // melted)
- 1 Tbsp coconut sugar, brown sugar, or cane sugar
- 1 pinch each sea salt, ground cinnamon and cayenne pepper
DRESSING
- 3 Tbsp olive oil (divided)
- 2 medium shallots (thinly sliced)
- 1 pinch each sea salt and pepper (~1/8th tsp as original recipe is written)
- 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1-2 Tbsp maple syrup (or sub other sweetener of choice)
SALAD
- 1 1/2 cups hulled quartered strawberries (organic when possible)
- 7 ounces arugula (organic when possible)
- 3 Tbsp hemp seeds (or sub 1/4 cup cooked quinoa)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (176 C) and place pecans on a foil- or parchment-lined baking sheet. Roast for 8 minutes.
- In the meantime, add coconut oil, coconut sugar, sea salt, cinnamon and cayenne pepper to a small mixing bowl and whisk to combine.
- Remove toasted pecans from oven and toss with spice mixture. Spread back onto the baking sheet and toast for another 4-7 minutes or until fragrant and golden brown, being careful not to burn.
- Once out of the oven, let cool briefly and then sample to test flavor. Toss with a touch more salt or coconut sugar as needed. Set aside to cool.
- While the pecans are roasting, heat a small saucepan over medium heat. Once hot, add 1/3 of the olive oil (1 Tbsp as original recipe is written) and all of the shallot. Sauté until soft and fragrant – 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
- Add shallot to blender or food processor with balsamic vinegar, remaining olive oil (2 Tbsp as original recipe is written), maple syrup and a pinch each salt and pepper. Blend until completely pureed. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Add arugula, hemp seeds, strawberries and most of the roasted pecans to a large mixing bowl and top with 2-3 Tbsp dressing (as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size). Gently toss to combine.
- Plate salad and garnish with remaining pecans. Serve additional dressing on the side. Serves 2 as an entrée or 4 as a side dish. Best when fresh.
Susan says
Excellent fresh salad. Easy to make.
Thanks so much for the lovely review, Susan. We are so glad you enjoyed it! Next time, would you mind leaving a star rating with your review? It’s super helpful for us and other readers. Thanks so much! xo
Rikki says
The pecans are phenomenal, and I made extra… they didn’t last long! The dressing is great too, I had a high quality aged Modena balsamic and did not need to add any sweetener. Also, used goat cheese but feta would be amazing too
Yum! Thanks so much for the review, Rikki, so glad you enjoyed this recipe!
Amber McAllister says
Could you sub in almonds (or any nut) for the pecans? Definitely looking forward to this one!
Yes!
Sheila A says
If I don’t have shallots, what can I sub it with?
Hi Sheila, red onion would also work
Cindy says
This salad is my go to when I have strawberries and arugula in the fridge, which is pretty often. If I want something quick, I do the dressing without the shallots (still delicious), and forego the pecans – it is the absolute best the original way, but my cheater recipe works in a pinch.
We’re so glad you enjoy it, Cindy! Thanks for sharing! xo
Fab says
I’ve added blueberries, and feta to this which is also delicious! Either way it’s awesome! Do you think small bits of chicken would make this too heavy?
Thanks for sharing, Fab! We haven’t tried that, but it might work!
Janet says
Easy and delicious! Pairs wonderfully with lasagna.
Yum, great idea! Thanks for sharing!
Juliette says
This salad was delicious! The only issue I had with the recipe was that it called for too much dressing to be made. Other than that, it was wonderful! I added in some goat cheese crumbles which put it over the top. Thanks for the recipe, will be making again!
Jackie Feminella says
Made this in an attempt to sneak in a healthier option for my family’s father’s day BBQ today, and it was a hit among even the meat-eaters! I also tossed in some quinoa to make it a bit more filling for myself. Everyone raved about the pecans – they had such a perfect sweet/peppery balance to them.
Kristen says
This looks delicious!!! Would the dressing be good overnight? Want to take it to work tomorrow.
Hi Kristen! Refrigerated, yes! I would recommend keeping the dressing and salad separate and then mixing when ready to eat!
lynn says
This was absolutely delicious; I thought I’d only want it for a side salad, but it was soooo satisfying as an entree. My children will love it, but might want something to pair it with…what dishes do you recommend? thank you so much for this–I have anemia and am love the high iron and Vitamin C together your divine salad.
Ruchita says
Hi Dana, I made this salad for dinner last night and it turned out to be so so delicious and the dressing was the star of the whole salad :) also walnuts goes pretty well.
Thanks again !
Ruchita says
Perfect timing for me to make this when I have a ton of strawberries and was looking for some creative ways to use them. Have you tried using walnuts (raw) instead of pecans ?
Hi! I haven’t, but that should work! Let me know how it goes!
Ruchita says
Thanks Dana !
I’ll try and definitely let you know.
Lucy says
Hiya – made this salad last night and received rave reviews! One note, the ingredients list doesn’t mention shallots but the directions do. I rushed out last minute to buy shallots but thought it might be helpful to have it listed in the ingredients! Either way, delicious!!
Shawn McLaughlin says
Delicious! I made this last night, my husband & I rated as one of the best salads we’ve ever tried.
We love to try new vegan recipes. I used blueberries in place of the strawberries, & leek in place of the shallot. I served it with the “Mouthwatering Vegan” cookbook by Mriam Sorrell “Shepard’s pie w/Parsnips” (used trader joe’s vegan ground beef ) made the night before & they were excellent together. I am thinking of bringing them to the next family gathering – hoping to intrigue some non-vegans to try more vegan food.
Susan says
Definitely a 5 star recipe!
Susan says
Great salad and awesome dressing. Exhausted after a morning of planting potatoes and weeding, so I did not candy the pecans. Also added chickweed, cilantro, fresh lettuce from the garden, and the arugula flowers. Served with meatloaf and sweet potatoes drizzled with Ras El Hanout and olive oil, and cracked black pepper. We are really loving your ecookbook and I ordered your new cookbook last night. Can fore see a summer of culinary delights in our future!
Sue says
Made this fast and delicious salad last night, what a mid-Winter treat!!
I will make this one again and again. I used a very high quality balsamic, would it not be as good if I used a grocery store vinegar? Did not use the hemp, as mine was a little old and I did not want to accidentally ruin the salad. But, I would highly recommend this recipe, you can always trust Dana’s recipes!!!
Dana’s black bean brownies are a go to!!
I think it’d be fine! I get mine from Trader Joe’s and it always works well!
Gabby S says
Hi there! Just wondering, if I can’t find shallots in my local store (no matter how hard I try!), can I substitute white or red onions instead? I know it wouldn’t be the same, but do you feel they would be a close enough match? Thanks!
I’d recommend yellow onions.
Julianna Horvath says
YUM!!!!!!!!!
I love any kind of berry on a salad and the tuts look Amazing!!!!!!
satori says
This looks amazing! Are pecans crunchy like candied nuts or sticky?
Enz F says
That’s one healthy salad full packed with flavors and texture! Thanks for sharing, dear!
Abby says
LOVING that gorgeous pink background, Dana. Ooh, and those strawberries!
Leslie says
Best salad recipe. Dressing is so good, that my husband was drinking it (like juice)! Thank you so much for your great recipes
Charlie (@charlielbl) says
Those roasted pecans look divine! I am definitely pinning this recipe to try this weekend! Thanks for the inspiration, beautiful pictures as always :) – Charlie
Thanks Charlie!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
Love the berries and pecans in this salad! Perfect!!!
Linda Li says
That looks like such a good combination!
Sara says
I love those forks, so cool, where did you get them?
West Elm!
Celeste @The Whole Serving says
Such a pretty salad, I’ve been putting strawberries in just about every salad lately.
Because you’re a very smart woman ;D Hope you love this one, Celeste!
Michelle says
I love your recipes so much! I can’t wait to try out this salad. It looks so fresh and delicious! The roasted pecan recipe reminds me of the stands at the fairs I go to in the summer. Yum! xx
The pecans kind of make it. Hope you love this one, Michelle!
Maya says
this looks awesome! super excited to try out the recipe :)
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
Simple, bright, summery, and delicious looking! Yum!
Sydney | Modern Granola says
Yum! I love fruit in salads. And I really like how you candied the pecans before adding them into the salad. It’s one of my favorite surprises when I think I’m getting a plain nut, only to find it’s sweet and extra crunchy! Great recipe!
xx Sydney
Me, too! The pecans MAKE the salad ;D You get me.
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
I really need to start adding berries to my salad more often. They are always an awesome addition!
Sam @ Pancakewarriors says
Gorgeous!! Love the combo of pecans and strawberries and all the hemp hearts!! This simple dressing sounds divine.
Amy says
It sounds amazing, I love it! Thanks for the recipe!
Amy
Cassie says
Gorgeoussssss! This sounds super delish!
Tom ~ Raise Your Garden says
Totally rad salad. Those brown sugar roasted pecans are rocking my world like Mic Jagger these days, not that he was here in concert this past weekend! Gotta eat more salads, that’s what the wife says for my too high cholesterol. Strawberries are pretty sweet too.
ha, thanks Tom! Hope you love this one!