This is a very easy and affordable strawberry almond salad recipe that is a crowd pleaser! We have been making this salad for years! The sweetness of the strawberries and mandarin oranges, the crunchiness of the caramelized almonds, and the tanginess of the dressing, make a delicious combination! All that on top of crisp greens makes for a wonderful presentation for your family and guests!
How to make caramelized nuts for the salad
The caramelized almonds take about 10-12 minutes to make. Place both the sugar and the slivered almonds in a skillet on medium-high heat. After about three minutes you will see the sugar start to melt. When the sugar starts to melt (it will turn an amber colored liquid) start stirring the mixture until all of the almonds are coated with melted sugar. Next, carefully spread the mixture onto a parchment lined baking sheet to cool. Be careful! The sugar gets very hot and can burn you. When cooled, break up the caramelized almonds to form small “croutons” for the salad.
Beyond Almonds: Nut Swaps
The recipe calls for slivered almonds but you can make it your own! You can change the nuts to pistachios, cashews, or anything you like! Changing up the nuts will add a new dimension of flavor to the recipe!
Homemade Vinaigrette for Your Strawberry Almond Salad
Pour the vinaigrette ingredients into a cruet, mason jar, or bowl. Whisk or shake them until well combined. The vinegarette really brings the strawberry almond salad together! The sharpness of the dressing contrasts the sugary slivered almonds and the fruit. The original dressing recipe calls for sugar but I replaced it with pure maple syrup and you can’t tell the difference.
Pure maple syrup is not pancake syrup. Pancake syrup will not work in this recipe. Please be sure to read the label when purchasing. Pure maple syrup has a lower glycemic index than sugar. The ratio for sugar and pure maple syrup is 1:1.Â
Serving suggestions with your sweet and tangy salad
The strawberry almond salad goes well with my cheeseburger enchiladas. A great contrast of savory and sweetness! For another great summer salad try my watermelon and cucumber salad.
Please visit my sides and salads page for more ideas!
FAQ’s
Yes, you can! The caramelized almonds can be made a day or two in advance. Once completely cooled and hardened, store them in an airtight container at room temperature until ready to use.
Crisp greens like romaine lettuce, spring mix, butter lettuce, or even a blend with some spinach work beautifully in this strawberry almond salad. Choose your favorite, ensuring it’s fresh and well-dried.
Pure maple syrup is a natural product made from maple tree sap, offering a distinct flavor and a lower glycemic index. Pancake syrup is typically made from corn syrup with artificial flavors. Pure maple syrup is essential for the desired taste and texture of this vinaigrette, and pancake syrup will not work as a substitute.
Absolutely! While slivered almonds are traditional, you can easily customize the salad by using other nuts like pistachios, cashews, or even pecans. Each will add a unique flavor dimension to the recipe.
The vinaigrette, without the fresh fruit, can be stored in an airtight container or cruet in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days. Shake or whisk well before serving to re-emulsify the ingredients.
Strawberry Almond Salad
Ingredients
Salad:
- 5 ounces of mixed greens
- 1 – 15 ounce can of mandarin oranges drained
- 1-2 pints of strawberries cleaned and sliced
Sugared almonds:
- 2/3 cup slivered almonds
- 1/3 cup sugar
Vinaigrette:
- 2/3 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar
- 1/3 cup sugar or pure maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon each or sea salt and crushed black pepper
Instructions
- Add sugar and slivered almonds to a non stick pan and cook over medium high heat stirring often. It will take about 10-12 minutes for the sugar to melt and caramelize. After the sugar is melted and the almonds start to brown, pour almond mixture onto a piece of parchment paper and spread to a thin layer. After cooled, break apart small pieces to top the salad.
- For the dressing add all ingredients to a jar or a cruet and mix thoroughly. You can also whisk the mixture in a bowl.
- Toss together greens, strawberries, oranges, almonds, and dressing.
Notes
- Can I make the caramelized almonds ahead of time? Yes, you can! The caramelized almonds can be made a day or two in advance. Once completely cooled and hardened, store them in an airtight container at room temperature until ready to use.
- What types of greens work best for this salad? Crisp greens like romaine lettuce, spring mix, butter lettuce, or even a blend with some spinach work beautifully in this strawberry almond salad. Choose your favorite, ensuring it’s fresh and well-dried.
- What’s the difference between pure maple syrup and pancake syrup for the vinaigrette? Pure maple syrup is a natural product made from maple tree sap, offering a distinct flavor and a lower glycemic index. Pancake syrup is typically made from corn syrup with artificial flavors. Pure maple syrup is essential for the desired taste and texture of this vinaigrette, and pancake syrup will not work as a substitute.
- Can I use other nuts besides almonds in this salad? Absolutely! While slivered almonds are traditional, you can easily customize the salad by using other nuts like pistachios, cashews, or even pecans. Each will add a unique flavor dimension to the recipe.
- How long does the strawberry almond salad dressing last? The vinaigrette, without the fresh fruit, can be stored in an airtight container or cruet in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days. Shake or whisk well before serving to re-emulsify the ingredients.
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