• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Bites with Bri
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Monthly Recaps
  • Work With Me
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Fourth of July Recipes
  • Easy Air Fryer Recipes
  • Instant Pot Recipes
  • Mexican Inspired Recipes
  • About Bri
  • Work With Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Bites with Bri » Side Dish » Summer Berry Salad

    Summer Berry Salad

    Published: Jun 20, 2021 · Modified: Jun 28, 2022 by Brianna May · This post may contain affiliate links.

    • Facebook
    • Yummly
    • Email
    • Reddit
    jump to recipe print recipe

    This Summer Berry Salad is full of crisp arugula, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, roasted almonds, goat cheese, crispy calabrese, and finished with a honey balsamic vinaigrette. It's almost like a cheese board in a bowl aka my kind of salad. It is all I am craving this summer. 

    overhead of salad

    Another one of my favorite summer recipes is this Easy Bruschetta Recipe.

    Jump to:
    • Highlights
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Expert Tips & Recipe Notes
    • FAQs
    • Related Recipes
    • Summer Berry Salad

    Highlights

    • The perfect summer salad
    • Full of fresh berries
    • Loaded with goat cheese, roasted almonds, & crispy calabrese
    • Dressed with a simple honey balsamic vinaigrette
    • Sweet, salty, & a little acidic
    • Super easy to prepare

    Ingredients

    overhead of ingredients
    • Calabrese: Swap for bacon or prosciutto. Prosciutto can be cooked the same way as stated in the instructions. Bacon will take longer to cook. 
    • Arugula: Swap this for any green. Spring mix or spinach are great options. 
    • Goat Cheese: I think goat cheese goes the best with this salad, but in a pinch feta is a good alternative. Be sure to buy it in a log and crumble it with a fork at. 
    • Fresh Berries: I typically use strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries. You can use a combination or stick with 1-2. Even fresh cherries would be delicious!

    Complete list of ingredients and amounts is located on the recipe card below.

    Instructions

    Step 1: On a baking sheet lined with foil, place 6 pieces of calabrese.

    Step 2: Bake for 10-13 minutes. The oils from the meat should be bubbling when it comes out.

    steps 1 & 2
uncooked calabrese
cooked calabrese on sheet pan

    NOTE - The foil is to make cleaning up easier.

    Step 3: While the calabrese bakes, make the dressing. In a small jar or airtight container, add the vinegar, oil, honey, mustard, salt, and pepper. Shake until the dressing is emulsified.

    Step 4: Once the calabrese is done, let it cool for a couple of minutes. Break it into pieces with your hands.

    steps 3 & 4
Vinaigrette in container
crumbled calabrese

    TIP -  The dressing will begin to separate as it sits. So be sure to give it an extra shake before dressing the arugula.

    Step 5: In a large bowl, toss the arugula well with as much dressing as desired.

    Step 6: Top the salad with the goat cheese, almonds, and berries.

    steps 5 & 6
tossed arugula 
salad assembled with toppings

    NOTE - Start with less dressing and add more if needed. A little goes a long way.

    Expert Tips & Recipe Notes

    • Use super fresh produce. The key to a good salad is crisp fruits and vegetables. I recommend picking up the produce at most one day before making the salad. 
    • Store bought dressing is a great short cut. Use a good quality balsamic vinaigrette from the store to save time. I normally make my own because it is so easy and tastes better to me, but there are some good ones at the store too. 
    • The dressing goes a long way. The recipe includes plenty of dressing for this salad. For those who like a lot of dressing, you may use it all. Some will find it to be too much. So do not add it all once. 
    • Toss right before serving. The arugula will wilt quickly after dressing. 
    • Toss the arugula well. Toss the arugula so that the dressing completely coats it. I do not recommend drizzling the dressing on top at the end. 
    • Serve with berries, nuts, & cheese on top or mixed in. For presentation purposes, I like to serve the toppings on top, but you can also mix them in when you toss the arugula. The ghost cheese will almost make the dressing a little creamy. 
    close up of salad

    FAQs

    What is calabrese?

    Calabrese is a cured meat. It is similar to prosciutto or pepperoni because it is made out of pork. It has a bit of heat and tastes similar to salami. So consider it spicy salami.

    What can I add to salad to make it better?

    Salads are all about contrasting flavors and textures. I like to include something salty, sweet, acidic, fatty, and maybe spicy. Roasted nuts are salty and crunchy, making them a great option. Cheese is fatty, which will add richness. Most vinaigrettes bring a little acidity and a little sweetness to the mix. Fresh or dried fruits can also add sweetness. As for spice, try adding a spicy cured meat or cheese.

    How do you add goat cheese to a salad?

    Buy a log of goat cheese (not the pre-crumbled). Use a fork to break it into crumbles. Sprinkle on top of the salad.

    Related Recipes

    • How to Cook a Baked Potato in the Oven
    • Easy Rustic Bread
    • How to Boil Corn on the Cob
    • Mozzarella Queso
    PRINT RECIPE PIN RECIPE COMMENT
    5 from 12 votes

    Summer Berry Salad

    This Summer Berry Salad is full of crisp arugula, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, roasted almonds, goat cheese, crispy calabrese, and finished with a honey balsamic vinaigrette. It's almost like a cheese board in a bowl aka my kind of salad. It is all I am craving this summer.
    Servings6 people
    Prep5 minutes
    Cook15 minutes
    Total20 minutes
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Author: Brianna May

    Ingredients:

    • 6 pieces calabrese
    • 5 ounces arugula*
    • 4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled*
    • ⅓ cup chopped roasted & salted almonds
    • 1 ½ - 2 cups fresh berries*

    Honey Balsamic Dressing

    • 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
    • 3 Tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 Tablespoon honey
    • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper

    Instructions:

    • Review all recipe notes and instructions before beginning.
    • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
    • On a baking sheet lined with foil, place 6 pieces of calabrese.
    • Bake for 10-13 minutes. The oils from the meat should be bubbling when it comes out.
    • While the calabrese bakes, make the dressing. In a small jar or airtight container, add the vinegar, oil, honey, mustard, salt, and pepper. Shake until the dressing is emulsified.
    • Once the calabrese is done, let it cool for a couple of minutes. Break it into pieces with your hands.
    • In a large bowl, toss the arugula well with as much dressing as desired.
    • Top the salad with the goat cheese, almonds, and berries.

    Notes:

    Calabrese: Swap for bacon or prosciutto. Prosciutto can be cooked the same way as stated in the instructions. Bacon will take longer to cook.
    Arugula: Swap this for any green. Spring mix or spinach are great options.
    Goat Cheese: I think goat cheese goes the best with this salad, but in a pinch feta is a good alternative. Be sure to buy it in a log and crumble it with a fork at.
    Fresh Berries: I typically use strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries. You can use a combination or stick with 1-2. Even fresh cherries would be delicious!
    Use super fresh produce. The key to a good salad is crisp fruits and vegetables. I recommend picking up the produce at most one day before making the salad.
    Store bought dressing is a great short cut. Use a good quality balsamic vinaigrette from the store to save time. I normally make my own because it is so easy and tastes better to me, but there are some good ones at the store too.
    The dressing goes a long way. The recipe includes plenty of dressing for this salad. For those who like a lot of dressing, you may use it all. Some will find it to be too much. So do not add it all once.
    Toss right before serving. The arugula will wilt quickly after dressing.
    Toss the arugula well. Toss the arugula so that the dressing completely coats it. I do not recommend drizzling the dressing on top at the end.
    Serve with berries, nuts, & cheese on top or mixed in. For presentation purposes, I like to serve the toppings on top, but you can also mix them in when you toss the arugula. The ghost cheese will almost make the dressing a little creamy.
    Did you make this recipe? Tag me on Instagram!Mention or tag @bites.with.bri_ or use the hashtag #biteswithbri
    « Air Fryer Potato Skins
    Air Fryer Bone-In Pork Chops (No Breading) »
    • Facebook
    • Yummly
    • Email
    • Reddit

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Erin Gierhart

      July 05, 2021 at 9:00 am

      5 stars
      These are some of my favorite flavors for summer! I love the crispy calabrese!

      Reply
    2. Audrey

      July 05, 2021 at 8:30 am

      5 stars
      This is such a great salad for the warmer months!

      Reply
    3. Kayla DiMaggio

      July 05, 2021 at 8:06 am

      5 stars
      This Summer Berry Salad is so refreshing and delicious! Loved the addition of goat cheese! 🙂

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Bri!

    I am a recipe developer, food photographer, blogger. My goal is to teach you how to cook, not just follow my recipes. I love to cook with bold flavors that are still family friendly. My hubs is a picky eater and all of these recipes are approved by him, so I am sure you and your family will love them too. Learn more about Bri >>

    Join my email list!>>

    Fourth of July Recipes

    • Bavette Steaks
    • Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos
    • BBQ St. Louis Ribs in the Oven
    • Easy Bratwurst in Air Fryer
    • Mango Habanero Salsa
    • Instant Pot Shredded Beef

    Top Recipes

    • Easy Lobster Ravioli Sauce Recipe
    • Baked Walking Taco Casserole Recipe with Enchilada Sauce
    • Green Chile Beef Enchiladas with Cilantro Cream Sauce
    • Roasted Green Beans and Carrots
    • Easy Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak Recipe
    • Jalapeño Lime Crema

    Footer

    back to top

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    Sign up for my weekly newsletter!

    Contact

    • Monthly Recaps
    • Work with Me
    • Client Inquiry Form

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2021 Bites with Bri LLC