Berry Feta Salad Recipe

Juicy Berry & Tangy Feta Summer Salad Recipe

Sweet and tangy berry feta salad dances with unexpected flavor combinations that tantalize taste buds.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients create a vibrant culinary experience bursting with freshness and color.

Crisp greens provide a perfect foundation for this delightful dish that balances bold and delicate notes.

Creamy feta cheese crumbles add richness and depth to each refreshing bite.

Seasonal berries contribute natural sweetness and a vibrant pop of nutritional goodness.

Summer’s finest produce changes this simple salad into an extraordinary meal that feels both elegant and approachable.

Delightful textures and harmonious flavors make this recipe a crowd-pleasing option for gatherings or quick personal meals.

Why Berry Feta Salad Always Feels Like Summer

  • Burst with Vibrant Flavors: This berry feta salad explodes with a delightful mix of sweet blueberries, tangy blackberries, creamy avocado, and salty feta cheese, creating a symphony of taste sensations in every bite.
  • Quick and Easy Preparation: Whip up this refreshing salad in just minutes, using simple slicing techniques and a quick vinaigrette that transforms fresh ingredients into a gourmet-style dish without complicated cooking methods.
  • Nutritional Powerhouse Combo: Packed with antioxidant-rich berries, peppery arugula, and heart-healthy avocado, this salad delivers a knockout punch of vitamins, minerals, and delicious nutrition in a single colorful bowl.
  • Versatile Summer Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for light lunches, picnics, or as a stunning side dish that impresses guests while keeping things effortlessly elegant and totally delicious.

Everything That Goes Into This Sweet and Salty Salad

Base Ingredients:
  • Arugula: Peppery green salad base with a slightly bitter flavor.
  • Cucumber: Fresh, crisp vegetable that adds coolness and crunch to the salad.
  • Avocado: Creamy, rich fruit that provides smooth texture and healthy fats.
Fruits:
  • Blueberries, Blackberries: Sweet and tart berries that offer bright flavor and antioxidants.
Cheese and Garnish:
  • Feta Cheese: Tangy, crumbly cheese that adds salty and creamy elements to the salad.
  • Fresh Mint: Aromatic herb that brings a refreshing and bright note to the dish.
Vinaigrette and Seasoning:
  • Lemon Juice: Citrusy liquid that adds brightness and helps prevent avocado browning.
  • Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance and balance the overall flavor profile.

Directions to Toss Together Berry Feta Salad in Style

Step 1: Prepare Cucumber

Grab a mandoline and carefully slice cucumber into ultra-thin, delicate rounds for a crisp texture.

Step 2: Handle Avocado

Slice avocado in half, remove the pit and skin, then create elegant slices of each half.

Step 3: Create Vinaigrette

In a small bowl, blend vinaigrette ingredients:
  • Olive oil
  • Lemon juice
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Optional herbs

Whisk until ingredients are smoothly combined.

Step 4: Arrange Salad Base

In a large serving bowl, layer fresh ingredients:
  • Arugula
  • Cucumber slices
  • Blueberries
  • Avocado slices
  • Blackberries
  • Crumbled feta cheese

Step 5: Finish and Dress

Drizzle lemon juice generously over the salad.

Pour prepared vinaigrette evenly across the ingredients.

Step 6: Final Touch

Sprinkle fresh mint leaves on top.

Season with additional salt and pepper according to taste.

Serve immediately to enjoy maximum freshness and flavor.

Smart Tips for Preventing Soggy Greens

  • Slice Cucumber Precisely: Use a mandoline for uniform, paper-thin cucumber slices that enhance the salad's texture and presentation.
  • Prevent Avocado Browning: Cut avocado just before serving and sprinkle with lemon juice to maintain its fresh, bright green color.
  • Balance Vinaigrette Flavors: Taste and adjust the vinaigrette seasonings gradually, ensuring a perfect blend of tangy and sweet notes.
  • Chill Serving Plates: Refrigerate plates briefly before plating to keep the salad crisp and refreshing, especially on warm days.
  • Layer Ingredients Strategically: Add delicate ingredients like berries and feta last to prevent crushing and maintain their distinct shapes and flavors.

Best Ways to Store Berry Feta Salad

  • Refrigerate Leftovers: Transfer remaining salad to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Separate wet ingredients like vinaigrette and avocado from greens to prevent sogginess.
  • Prep Before Serving: Remove salad from refrigerator 10-15 minutes before eating. Gently toss ingredients to redistribute flavors and restore texture.
  • Avoid Freezing: Skip freezing this salad, as delicate ingredients like avocado, berries, and fresh herbs will lose their crisp texture and vibrant taste when thawed.

Perfect Partners for a Bold Berry Feta Bowl

  • Pair with Crisp White Wine: Complement the salad's bright, fresh flavors with a chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio. These light wines enhance the berry and herb notes while cutting through the creamy feta.
  • Match with Herbal Sparkling Water: Elevate the salad's refreshing profile with a sparkling water infused with mint or cucumber. The bubbles and herbal undertones perfectly mirror the salad's delicate ingredients.
  • Serve alongside Grilled Chicken: Add a lean protein to create a complete meal. Lightly seasoned, herb-crusted chicken breast provides a savory counterpoint to the salad's sweet and tangy elements.
  • Complement with Toasted Walnut Bread: Introduce a crunchy texture and nutty flavor that balances the salad's soft ingredients. The bread's heartiness makes the dish more satisfying and adds a delightful contrast.

Creative Add-ins to Try in Your Next Bowl

  • Summer Garden Remix: Replace blueberries and blackberries with seasonal raspberries and strawberries for a vibrant color palette and sweet-tangy flavor profile.
  • Mediterranean Fusion: Swap arugula with baby spinach and add toasted pine nuts for a nutty crunch and rich Mediterranean-inspired essence.
  • Protein Power Bowl: Incorporate grilled chicken or shrimp to transform the salad into a protein-packed meal that keeps you feeling satisfied and energized.
  • Herb-Infused Edition: Introduce fresh dill or chopped basil alongside mint to elevate the herb complexity and create a more layered aromatic experience.
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Berry Feta Salad Recipe

Berry Feta Salad Recipe


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4.6 from 23 reviews

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Mediterranean-inspired Berry Feta Salad blends sweet strawberries with tangy feta cheese, creating a refreshing blend of flavors. Fresh mixed greens and candied pecans provide delightful crunch, while a zesty balsamic vinaigrette ties this elegant salad together perfectly.


Ingredients

Scale

Greens:

  • 3 handfuls arugula

Fresh Produce:

  • 1 avocado
  • ½ cucumber
  • 125 grams (4.4 ounces) blueberries
  • 125 grams (4.4 ounces) blackberries
  • Some fresh mint leaves
  • ½ lemon

Dairy and Cheese:

  • 50 grams (1.8 ounces) feta cheese

Seasonings and Dressing:

  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon honey

Instructions

  1. Delicately shave cucumber into whisper-thin translucent rounds using a sharp mandoline slicer, ensuring uniform and elegant slices.
  2. Carefully split the ripe avocado in half, extract the central pit, peel away the skin, and slice each half into smooth, fan-like segments.
  3. Combine all vinaigrette components in a compact mixing vessel, whisking thoroughly to create a harmonious, well-integrated dressing.
  4. Construct the salad foundation by layering crisp arugula leaves as the base in a spacious serving bowl.
  5. Artfully arrange cucumber medallions, vibrant blueberries, avocado slices, deep purple blackberries, and crumbled feta cheese across the verdant arugula landscape.
  6. Enhance the salad’s brightness by gently squeezing fresh lemon juice over the ingredients, then gracefully drizzle the prepared vinaigrette across the surface.
  7. Complete the culinary composition by scattering delicate fresh mint leaves, then judiciously season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to elevate the flavor profile.
  8. Serve the salad immediately to preserve the ingredients’ peak freshness and textural integrity.

Notes

  • Slice cucumbers with a mandoline for paper-thin, uniform cuts that add delicate texture to the salad.
  • Ripe avocados create creamy contrast against crisp arugula and juicy berries, enhancing overall mouthfeel.
  • Homemade vinaigrette elevates the salad’s flavor profile with zesty, tangy notes that complement fresh ingredients.
  • Choose ripe, seasonal berries for maximum sweetness and vibrant color in this light, refreshing dish.
  • Fresh mint leaves provide a bright, aromatic finish that ties together the salad’s complex flavor combinations.
  • Serve immediately to maintain the crispness of arugula and prevent avocado from browning.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: None
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 181 kcal
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 205 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 13 g
  • Fiber: 5 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 15 mg
Liam O'Brien

Liam O’Brien

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Traditional Irish Dishes
  • Farm-to-Table Cooking
  • Recipe Creation
  • Teaching Cooking Skills
  • Sustainable Food Practices

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (now Technological University Dublin)

  • Program: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in cooking techniques, kitchen management, and exploring both Irish and international cuisines.

Ballymaloe Cookery School, County Cork, Ireland

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Farm-to-table cooking, emphasizing the use of fresh, local ingredients and traditional cooking methods.

Liam O’Brien is the co-founder and kitchen soul behind Good Tasting Meals, a chef who believes that cooking shouldn’t feel stressful or complicated.

He earned his culinary stripes at Technological University Dublin and polished his farm-to-table skills at Ballymaloe Cookery School. With over 15 years flipping pans and stirring up stories, Liam has worked in family cafés, bustling bistros, and everything in between.

At Good Tasting Meals, Liam brings you recipes that feel like home: cozy, simple, and full of flavor.

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