A healthy and delicious strawberry pecan salad is a good way to start a new year. Many people are looking to lose weight or eat healthier, me included. It doesn’t take me too long to get bored with the standard rabbit type salads with lettuce, dressing, and vegetable toppings. While I enjoy them and they are healthy and lower in calorie, sometimes I want something that is healthy, but yet it is different than a lettuce and vegetable salad. This salad seems to do that for me. It helps me to change up your basic salad.
This Strawberry Pecan Salad is healthy, and it is quick and easy to prepare. It can be served as a side salad to accompany a meal, or you can add a protein and have it as the meal.
Protein Ideas
If you would like to have this as a meal and want to add a protein there are several great choices:
- Grilled chicken breast
- Salmon or fish
- Beef tips
The Dressing
This Strawberry Pecan Salad tastes great with a Vinaigrette dressing, the Best Poppy Seed Dressing, or a vinegar and oil. I usually have it with this homemade Vinaigrette dressing. If I’m out of it, I will use the Best Poppy Seed Dressing.
Substitutions
Another convenience with this salad is substitutions. If you’re out of an ingredient you can change it out. Just keep in mind that the nutrition and calories will change. Below are some substitutions that I have made that still taste awesome.
- 2 cups Greens of choice (Spring mix, iceberg lettuce, romaine, baby spinach)
- Fruit (4 Strawberries, 1/8 cup blueberries, 1/4 of an apple, 1/8 cup mandarin oranges, 1/2 of a pear)
- 1 tbsp Nuts (chopped pecans, sliced or slivered almonds)
- 1 tbsp Cheese (shredded Parmesan, Asiago, Romano, Cheddar, Colby Jack, feta crumbles)
I am a foodie and I love hearing other people’s thoughts on a recipe. If you serve this, please share your experience with me. I hope to hear from you soon.
Happy cooking!
Strawberry Pecan Salad
Equipment
- 1 Bowl or plate
Ingredients
- 2 cups Lettuce Use a green of choice.
- 4 each Fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1 tbsp Parmesan cheese, shredded
- 2 tbsp Pecans, chopped
Instructions
- Place your lettuce or green in a bowl or on a plate.
- Top with strawberry slices, cheese and pecans.
- Just before serving top with your choice of dressing.
Notes
Nutrition
Vinaigrette Dressing
Equipment
- 1 Container that seals
Ingredients
- ½ cup Vegetable oil Do not use olive oil.
- ¼ cup Sugar
- ¼ cup Cider vinegar or red wine vinegar
- 1 clove Garlic, minced
- ¼ tsp Salt
- ¼ tsp Paprika
- ⅛ tsp Pepper
Instructions
- Put all ingredients into a container that seals and seal it.
- Shake it until the sugar is dissolved.
- Once the sugar is dissolved, it is ready to use.
- Keep refrigerated.
