Red, White & Blue Berry Salad

Fresh, colorful, and perfect for warm-weather gatherings, Red, White & Blue Berry Salad brings a bright, modern twist to any summer table. Sweet strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries pair beautifully with peppery arugula, creamy feta, and crunchy candied pecans for a salad that feels festive without trying too hard. The homemade honey balsamic dressing lightly coats everything, adding just enough tangy sweetness while still letting the fresh berries shine.

It’s the kind of recipe that looks impressive yet comes together in minutes. Even better, the naturally red, white, and blue colors make it feel right at home for Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, summer cookouts, backyard gatherings, or anytime you want something fresh, colorful, and beautiful on the table. It’s festive, crowd-friendly, and feels just a little extra special without adding extra work.

Recipe Yield: 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

5 oz baby arugula
1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced
1 cup blueberries
¾ cup blackberries
¾ cup raspberries
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
½ cup candied pecans, roughly chopped
2 tbsp very thinly sliced red onion (optional)

Honey Balsamic Dressing
4 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp Dijon mustard
½ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp fine sea salt
¼ tsp black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Prepare the berries:
If time allows, chill the berries for 15–20 minutes before assembling the salad. Meanwhile, wash and thoroughly dry the strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries so the salad stays fresh and crisp.

2. Make the dressing:
In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth and lightly emulsified.

3. Build the salad:
Add the arugula to a large serving platter or bowl. Scatter the strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries evenly over the greens. Then sprinkle the feta cheese, candied pecans, and red onion on top.

4. Dress lightly:
Just before serving, drizzle about half of the dressing over the salad and gently toss using salad tongs. Add more dressing only as needed so the greens stay lightly coated, not weighed down.

5. Finish and serve:
Top with a few extra berries and crumbled feta for a beautiful red, white, and blue finish. Serve immediately for the freshest flavor and texture.

HELPFUL TIPS TO PERFECT THIS RECIPE

• Dress right before serving: Arugula softens quickly once dressed. For the freshest texture, wait until the last minute to drizzle and toss the salad.
• Dry berries really well: Extra moisture can water down the dressing and soften the greens. After washing, gently pat the berries dry with paper towels for the best texture.
• Balance sweet and savory: If your berries are especially sweet, add an extra tiny splash of balsamic vinegar to the dressing for even better balance.