Wedding Shower Berry Almond Salad
A fresh mixed green salad loaded with sweet berries, crunchy almonds, and creamy goat cheese that’s fancy enough for special occasions but easy enough to make without stress.
You’ll love how the tangy-sweet poppy seed dressing ties everything together. It looks beautiful on a buffet table and feeds a crowd without breaking the budget.
Getting the Berry Mix Right
Fresh berries make all the difference here, but you don’t need to stick to just one type. Strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries work beautifully together, while blackberries add a nice tartness.
If berries aren’t in season, frozen ones work fine – just thaw them completely and pat dry with paper towels. You’ll lose some of the firm texture, but the flavor stays bright. Avoid berries that are overly soft or starting to leak juice, since they’ll make the salad soggy.
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Make-Ahead Strategy
You can prep most components a day ahead, which is a lifesaver for party planning. Wash and dry the greens, slice the almonds, and make the dressing separately.
Don’t add the berries or goat cheese until right before serving – berries release juice as they sit, and the cheese can get mushy. Toss everything together just before your guests arrive for the best texture and presentation.
Wedding Shower Berry Almond Salad
Ingredients
Dressing
Equipment Needed
- Large salad bowl
- Small whisk
- Small bowl for dressing
Instructions
- Toast almonds: Toast the sliced almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden brown and fragrant. Transfer to a plate and let cool completely.
- Make dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, white wine vinegar, honey, poppy seeds, salt, and pepper until well combined and slightly thickened, about 30 seconds of vigorous whisking.
- Combine greens and berries: Place mixed greens in a large salad bowl. Add strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, distributing evenly over the greens.
- Dress and garnish: Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently with clean hands or salad tongs until all ingredients are lightly coated. Sprinkle crumbled goat cheese and toasted almonds on top just before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Per Serving (1 serving)
