Copycat Zupas Strawberry Harvest Salad

Name: Copycat Zupas Strawberry Harvest Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 3 cups chopped mixed greens; 1/2 cup sliced strawberries; 1/4 cup feta or fontina cheese; 1 gala apple (sliced); 1/4 cup dried cranberries; 1/2 cup candied pecans*; 1 cup chicken (cooked and chopped (optional)); strawberry champagne vinaigrette*

This tasty salad recipe is inspired by the Strawberry Harvest Salad at Zupa’s! Filled with berries, candied pecans, apples, and topped with a sweet strawberry champagne vinaigrette!

Want to feel like you’re getting the entire experience? Make sure you serve this with Strawberry Vinaigrette and Chocolate Dipped Strawberries!

This post was originally published March 11, 2015. It has since been updated to include new photos and recipe tips.

Recipe Features

Quick and Easy- Even if you decide to make the accompanying dressing, you’ll be looking at having this recipe ready in under 20 minutes!
Oven-Free: Skip the oven and still have a filling delicious meal. Perfect for a quick summer dinner.
Easy to Customize- Add chicken, avocado, more veggies… The options are nearly endless!

I am a huge salad fan. If you ask my husband, I try to sneak them in once or twice a week as a meal all summer long. This Strawberry Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette is ALWAYS met with cheers. And for good reason.

It has a sweet note with the added berries and nuts, gives you a little salt from cheese, and has just the perfect tang with the amazing topping. It tastes JUST like the salad at Cafe Zupas! I’d even venture to say it is the best Zupas Copycat Recipe.

zupas strawberry harvest salad ingredients

Homemade Strawberry Harvest Salad Ingredients

The list of ingredients for this easy salad recipe is short. It also happens to be extremely easy to customize, but we will talk more about that in a minute. Here is what you will need to get started:

Mixed Greens- Or really any lettuce. We enjoy the mixed greens as they are the closest to what is served at Cafe Zupas.
Strawberries- Fresh berries, skip the frozen ones for this salad. They become soggy and create a mess at the bottom of your dish.
Feta OR Fontina Cheese- I opted for feta cheese instead of fontina. I feel like it adds just a touch more flavor but it is definitely a personal preference. You cannot go wrong either way.
Apples- Reach for a sweet or tart apple. Both provide a wonderful crunch and added flavor.
Dried Cranberries- Found next to the raisins in the grocery store.
Candied Pecans- You can make your own or grab a premade can next to the peanuts!
Strawberry Vinaigrette- The STAR of the show.
Chicken- Optional but a tasty way to add an extra dose of protein. Also a great way to use up leftovers!

Salad dressing being drizzled over strawberry harvest salad

How to make Zupa’s Strawberry Harvest Salad:

This salad really makes a fantastic meal. We have had it for both lunch and dinner. The addition of so many great ingredients helps fill my belly and keep me satisfied longer. I also tend to reach for it when I have a little bit of a sweet tooth. Fresh fruit takes this salad to the next level!

Toss the mixed greens, strawberries, feta, apple, cranberries, and pecans in a large bowl.
Serve with Strawberry Champagne vinaigrette.

Dressing

Combine thawed frozen strawberries, lemon juice, sugar, champagne vinegar in a high powered blender. Blend smooth.
Add a bit of olive oil and pulse until combined.

You can get the full recipe here.

Strawberry Harvest Salad Recipe on a bowl

Tips to Make the Very Best Salad at Home:

Start with a variety of greens. You can find a bag of salad ready mixed greens at most grocery stores. We like to make our own with a combination of romaine, ice burg, spinach, and arugula.
Add texture with a variety of mix-ins. Nuts, fruit, vegetables… You can elevate your salad by tossing in handfuls of your favorite ingredients.
Make your own salad dressing. Homemade vinaigrette, ranch dressing, or a balsamic gives your salad life and flavor!
Do not skip the salt and pepper! Make sure you season the entire salad with a little salt and pepper OR other seasonings.
Mix in a salad bowl before you serve.

Can salad be made ahead of time?

Yes! You can mix this salad together 24 hours in advance. Keep stored covered in the refrigerator. Avoid adding the dressing until just before serving.

What are good things to put inside salads?

This recipe already has a wide variety of ingredients, here are a few more substitutions and ideas:
No feta? No problem! Try blue cheese or mozzarella.
Changing the type of apple you use will add a more sweet or tart flavor. Pick a honeycrisp for sweet or green apples for a tartness.
Don’t stick to one berry. Add a handful of blueberries or raspberries.

How long does salad last?

If kept stored in the refrigerator, this salad recipe will last for 24 hours. However, it does tend to go bad rather quickly. I recommend eating it as quickly as possible.

Close up image of a strawberry harvest salad

More Salad Recipes:

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4.67 from 6 votes