February 21, 2026

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Strawberry Arugula Salad with Candied Sunflower Seed Clusters

A bowl of Strawberry Arugula Salad with strawberries, red onions, sunflower seeds, and vinaigrette. A plate of halved strawberries and a gray napkin are beside the bowl on a white surface.


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You already know it is summer season when fruit begins exhibiting up in my dinner salads, like this strawberry arugula salad. You may discover candy, crispy bites of sunflower seeds, creamy goat cheese, and crimson onions all tossed in a honey lemon dressing.

Each time I make this salad, whether or not it is for my household in the course of the week or buddies on the weekend, I at all times get compliments. The layers of textures and flavors (and people irresistible sunflower seed clusters!) convey everybody on the desk again for seconds.🍓

When my 9-year-old asks if she will be able to have seconds of salad, I do know it is a winner. That is what occurred the primary time I made this, so evidently, I now make it typically. The crunchy sunflower seed clusters are like little bites of sweet, they usually go completely with the sweet-tart strawberries. The odd chunk of crisp crimson onion, some creamy cheese, and spicy arugula is a successful combo.

Bowls of spinach and arugula, sliced red onions, sunflower seed clusters, goat cheese, strawberries, and yellow dressing create a vibrant Strawberry Arugula Crunch Salad arranged on a white surface.
There is a good probability you’ve gotten every part it is advisable to make this salad in your kitchen proper now. If wanted, some easy swaps can convey all of it collectively and not using a journey to the grocery retailer. Any seed or nut can substitute the sunflower seeds; Boursin or feta can substitute the goat cheese; and you need to use your favourite salad greens. Simple!

There are actually solely two elements to creating this salad: the candied sunflower seed clusters and the dressing. Aside from that, it is merely including the components to a bowl and tossing them with the dressing. So, let’s discuss in regards to the two issues it is advisable to make.

A white plate with clusters of caramelized sunflower seed brittle scattered on it, ideal as a crunchy topping for a Strawberry Arugula Crunch Salad, set against a light background.
All the time make the sunflower seed clusters first, as they want a while to chill in order that they get crunchy.
A bowl filled with yellow honey lemon salad dressing speckled with black pepper sits on a white surface, ready to top your Strawberry Arugula Crunch Salad.
This recipe makes the right quantity of dressing for one salad. However you may simply double or triple the recipe to have extra readily available for salads all through the week.

Candied Sunflower Seed Clusters: For one of the best taste, begin with roasted sunflower seeds. Add them to a small frying pan with honey and butter and switch up the warmth in order that they soften and start to boil. After a few minutes, the pan will look largely dry, and you may know it is time to switch them to a chunk of parchment paper. Use a spatula to unfold out the sticky seeds in a skinny layer, after which set them apart to chill. As soon as cool, you may break it aside into smaller items.

Honey Lemon Dressing: This dressing is easy to make. Merely add the components to a small bowl and provides it a whisk. The honey and Dijon will emulsify the dressing, giving it a barely creamy look.

Make-ahead ideas

Whilst you cannot gown the salad forward of time with out it turning soggy, you may prep a few of the elements. The sunflower seed clusters may be made just a few days prematurely and stored in a sealed container in your counter. The dressing may be made as much as every week prematurely and saved in your fridge. Notice that the olive oil will harden when chilly, and you may have to convey it to room temperature and rewhisk it earlier than utilizing it.

For those who’re making this for a cocktail party and wish to put together it a bit of forward, put the arugula, crimson onions, sliced strawberries, and goat cheese in your salad bowl an hour or two forward and depart it within the fridge. Simply earlier than serving, add the seed clusters and toss with the dressing. Simple!

A bowl of Strawberry Arugula Salad with strawberries, red onions, sunflower seeds, and vinaigrette. A plate of halved strawberries and a gray napkin are beside the bowl on a white surface.

Strawberry Arugula Salad with Candied Sunflower Seed Clusters

Prep: 20 minutes

Prepare dinner: 0 minutes

Whole: 20 minutes

This strawberry arugula salad is one in every of my household’s favourite summer season salads. The sunflower seed clusters are like sweet to your salad and go extremely nicely with the contemporary strawberries, arugula, goat cheese, and crimson onion.

Substances

Candied Buttered Sunflower Seeds

Directions 

  • Put a chunk of parchment paper in your counter. Place the sunflower seeds, honey, and butter in a small frying pan over medium warmth. As soon as the honey begins boiling, stir continuously for 1 minute, then switch the seeds to the parchment paper, spreading them out a bit of so they’re largely in a single layer. Allow them to cool after which break them into smaller items.

    ⅓ cup roasted sunflower seeds, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 teaspoon butter

  • In a small bowl, whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, and dijon. Season to style with salt and pepper.

    2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 teaspoon dijon, Salt and pepper

  • Add the arugula, strawberries, goat cheese, onion, and candied sunflower seeds to a big salad bowl.

    4 ounce child arugula, 2 cup sliced strawberries, 2 ounces goat cheese, ¼ cup thinly sliced crimson onion

  • Pour the dressing over high and gently toss to mix. Serve immediately.

Notes

Arugula: This salad tastes nice with arugula, child spinach, or a mix of each (which is what you see within the images).
Sunflower seeds: I like to purchase roasted sunflower seeds to chop down on prep. If yours are uncooked, you may wish to toast them in a pan over medium warmth or in your oven at 350 levels Fahrenheit till they flip golden and scent aromatic. 
Cheese: Feta is one other nice choice!

Vitamin

Serving: 1 = ¼ of the salad, Energy: 248kcal (12%), Carbohydrates: 20g (7%), Protein: 6g (12%), Fats: 17g (26%), Saturated Fats: 5g (31%), Polyunsaturated Fats: 5g, Monounsaturated Fats: 7g, Trans Fats: 0.1g, Ldl cholesterol: 9mg (3%), Sodium: 166mg (7%), Potassium: 300mg (9%), Fiber: 3g (13%), Sugar: 15g (17%), Vitamin A: 861IU (17%), Vitamin C: 49mg (59%), Calcium: 91mg (9%), Iron: 2mg (11%)