This delicious strawberry arugula salad is packed with fresh berries, almonds, feta and arugula, topped with seared steak, and drizzled with a balsamic vinaigrette! A fast and easy week-night dinner.
I don’t think I could ever live somewhere on the equator. Forget the fact that the humidity would make my hair turn like Monica’s on Friends (the one where they go to Barbados). Forget the fact that I would be melted into a puddle on the ground.
What I would really miss are the seasons!
Ben grew up in Darwin, Australia, which is practically on the equator. Please, look up Darwin. He literally grew up where Crocodile Dundee was shot, I kid you not. He even claims to know the water buffalo in the movie. I know.
I digress. Darwin doesn’t really have seasons…just the hot dry season and the hot wet season. Both of these are Monica-hair-scenarios for me.
Without seasons, we wouldn’t have this wonderful time of year to look forward to: berry season! The summer berries are coming…maybe they are already where you live…regardless, I have the world’s most delicious way to enjoy them: this strawberry arugula salad!
I mean, yes…technically we are lucky in that we can get ahold of berries any time of year…but those ridiculously expensive winter berries ain’t got nothing on the fresh, sweet, delicious summer berries!
I really enjoyed all of the comforting winter dishes I cooked this year. But I’m ready for a change, and I’m so excited for all of the produce that summer has to offer!
I have a confession: I am not that great at cooking meat…Ben is the meat cooker in this household. But I’ve decided that it is time for me to put on my big girl apron and learn how to cook meat. So I’ve been practising with this steak, and we’ve been eating this steak salad for a few weeks now!
What have I learned? First of all, our barbecue is totally unsuitable for cooking steak. It just doesn’t get hot enough, and with steak, you want it suuuuper hot…like oil on the verge of smoking kind of hot.
Secondly, the cast iron skillet is my friend. Steak + skillet = love.
This strawberry arugula salad is one of my favourite salads of all time…there is just so much flavor packed in there: sweet berries, peppery arugula, tangy balsamic, and salty feta.
Also a delicious array of textures: soft berries, crunchy almonds, creamy feta.
Oh, did I mention: steak.
Also: ready in under 30 minutes.
Happy berry season! Celebrate with salad 😉
Strawberry Arugula Salad with Steak & Balsamic Vinaigrette
Ingredients
Steak
- 4 steaks of your choice I used beef sirloin tip, 1 inch thick
- steak seasoning I used Montreal Steak Spice, but simple salt and pepper will also do
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Salad
- 6 cups arugula
- 6 oz 1 cup raspberries
- 6 oz 1 cup blueberries
- 1 cup strawberries sliced
- 1/2 cup feta cheese crumbled
- 1/4 cup slivered almonds
Balsamic Vinaigrette
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 teaspoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- salt and pepper
Instructions
Steak:
- Season steak and allow to sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes.
- Heat oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium high heat. Wait until the oil is very hot, it will be shimmering.
- Add the steak to the pan, do not touch it. Cook for 5 minutes, flip, and cook for another 3 minutes.
- Transfer the steak to a plate and allow to rest for 5 minutes before cutting into strips.
Salad
- While the steak rests, combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl.
- Shake together all vinaigrette ingredients in a small shaker, then pour over the salad and toss to coat evenly.
To Serve
- Divide the salad into 4 bowls, and top with steak.
Nutrition
Products used in this recipe:
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Sandra Remson
Instructions are missing …Season steak. I also added red onions which I love. Otherwise it was delicious. If I can’t get berries I love apples or pears. Blue cheese or pepitas also work.
Denise
Updated, thanks Sandra 🙂 Glad you enjoyed!
plasterer bristol
Lovely, top marks for this. Tastes great. Thanks.
Simon
Maureen
Absolutely stunning! Everything here is perfect. The flavors, the steak and the vinaigrette! This will be one of my favorite salad dishes. Yummy!
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel
This salad sounds so good, I love berries!! It’s perfect for summer. I have to say, living in the desert I actually kind of miss humidity! But it definitely does a number on the hair. 😉 I love that episode of Friends!!
Denise
You are too kind, Jessica, thanks so much!
Denise
Michelle, I have to admit that I rarely eat steak, but on top of a lighter salad, it is so good! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
katie
What a beaut of a salad Denise! Love all that steak, my hubby would love this 🙂
Denise
Thanks, Katie!
Shelby @ Go Eat and Repeat
What a beautiful salad! I love the flavor combos of the meaty steak with the fresh berries and the salty cheese. This sounds fantastic! I only wish I could have it delivered to me 😉
Denise
Ha ha, thanks, Shelby!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
That’s too funny that your husband claims to know the water buffalo from Crocidle Dundee! That was one of my favorite movies when I was little. I would definitely miss the seasons, too! This salad looks just perfect, Denise! I love the steak and berry combo. Sounds so fresh and delicious!
Denise
Ha ha, I know, right? Who ‘knows’ a water buffalo?! Thanks, Gayle!
Danielle
I think berry season is definitely my favorite too. I’ve been eating salads like crazy with strawberries and blueberries, so this definitely looks like something I would love! That steak on top looks delicious!
Denise
I love throwing berries in a salad, especially the good fresh spring berries! Thanks, Danielle!
Kathy @ Olives & Garlic
I hate humidity but don’t mind the heat. But it would be hard for me to trade the change of seasons.
Arugula and steak are amazing together. I bet the berries are super nice with this salad.
Denise
I’ve never eaten much arugula, but it was totally appropriate with the steak/berry/balsamic combo. Thanks, Kathy!
Andrea @ Cooking with Mamma C
True confession: I have Monica hair every day, unless I curl it with a curling iron. Another confession: I love steak prepared in a skillet instead of on the grill. This salad’s another winner! P.S. I went to bed with visions of those mocha meringues in my head last night. 🙂
Denise
I guess if I’m being perfectly honest, I also have some pretty bad Monica hair, and have to use a straightener. Ha! Thanks, Andrea!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely
Here in California we don’t have very dramatic seasons. Except at the Farmers Market! Right now they have so many wonderful berries to choose from. Makes me very happy. I love this salad! I planted a ton of arugula in my garden, can’t wait to use it to cook this up : )
Denise
Hope you get lots of arugula, Natalie! You are going to be one busy gardener/chicken momma from the sounds of things 🙂
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Such gorgeous pictures Denise!! Drooling and wish I was having this for lunch!
Denise
Thanks so much, Ami!
Jen @ Baked by an Introvert
I’m so excited for berry season! This salad is gorgeous. Love how colorful it is.
Denise
Thanks, Jen! I am so excited for all sorts of summer produce, but berries are definitely at the top of my list!
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven
Oh, berry season would DEFINITELY be missed by this girl right here. 😉 I don’t even want to THINK about how meaningless life would be without berry season. LOL. This salad combines pretty much all the things I looooove this time of year, and wowee is it gorgeous! Pinned. 🙂
Denise
Ha ha Sarah, you are so dramatic! But I do love berry season (clearly). Thanks, lady!
April @ Girl Gone Gourmet
Monica-hair!! I love a Friend’s reference 🙂 Beautiful salad – I agree about the grilling thing, especially with burgers. I always prefer a burger cooked in a cast iron skillet – helps keeps it juicy!
Denise
Canadian Netflix finally got Friends and I have been re-watching them….such a trip down memory lane!
Thanks, April!
Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg
Denise – As much as I get tired of New England winters, I really can’t see myself living somewhere without falling maple leaves or the first snow in December. I’m a New England girl through and through. Speaking of, berry season makes the top of my list of favorite times of the year. Last year was my first time picking strawberries and I was in love. They’re so much tastier right off of the stem! What a gorgeous salad.
Denise
I agree with you, Erin! I am not a huge winter fan, but I just need changing seasons in my life!