Blackberry Goat Cheese Salad

Name: Blackberry Goat Cheese Salad
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 5 ounces mixed greens (or spring mix, 50/50 blend); 10 ounces blackberries; 1/4 cup pistachios; 4 ounces goat cheese; 3 ounces prosciutto; 1 navel orange (juiced + zested); 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar; 1 tablespoon honey; 1/3 cup olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard; salt and pepper, to taste

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This easy Blackberry Goat Cheese Salad contains just five ingredients and a bright citrusy orange balsamic dressing. Perfect as a quick light lunch or meal or side dish.

Two bowls of Blackberry Goat Cheese Salad on a wood plank background. Each bowl has a gold fork with it and theres a small bowl of blackberries, a small oval wood bowl of pistachios and a circle white bowl of dressing.

This Blackberry Goat Cheese Salad is easy to love! While most salad can be seen as boring, this salad is full of fresh berries, crispy prosciutto, crunchy pistachios and creamy goat cheese. Making this salad packed with flavor and texture. And, there's ton of flexibility with the ingredients and dressing to make this salad exactly to your preference. This makes a wonderful lunch or side and is ready quickly.

If you're looking for more fruit focused recipes check out my Summer Fruit & Cheese Board, Strawberry Cucumber Salad and for dessert Roasted and Smoked Peach Sorbet.

Close up of a white bowl of Blackberry Goat Cheese Salad with a gold fork in a light brown blank. In the bowl are two pieces of crispy prosciutto, pile of blackberries and goat cheese on the side with crushed pistachios in the center on a bed of mixed greens.

Why You'll Love this Recipe

Full of Flavor & Texture - This blackberry goat cheese salad is not a traditional 'boring' salad, it's so fresh and full of different textures.

Quick and Easy - It's ready in 15 minutes!

Can Feed A Crowd - Recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to feed a crowd, this salad is great for potlucks and bbqs.

Easy to Tweak to Your Preference - Change the berries, nuts or greens to your preference.

Ingredient Notes

Blackberry Goat Cheese Salad in individual dishes on a light brown plank background. Each item is labeled with a white rectangle with black text.

Blackberries - Are one of the healthiest berries/food! Packed with Vitamin C, K, and Manganese. These berries are also high in fiber and can improve gut and brain health. Can be changed for blueberries or strawberries or a variety of berries instead.

Spring Mix/Mixed Greens - I love the variety using a spring mix or mixed greens but other options could be arugula or spinach.

Goat Cheese - it's creamy, tangy, decadent and rich in this simple salad. I use a plain variety of goat cheese but a honey goat cheese would be delicious as well!

Pistachios - salted and crunchy pistachios add an extra element to the salad that kicks it up a notch. Walnuts or almonds would also work.

Prosciutto - In Italian, prosciutto simply translates to “ham.” It is a raw, cured ham that is pink, salty, and cut into really thin slices. When baked, it crisps up amazingly. You can find prosciutto at most grocery stores, look in the deli section.

Dressing Ingredient Notes

Blackberry Goat Cheese Salad Dressing Ingredients on a plank background. Each item is labeled with a white rectangle and text in black all caps.

Navel Orange - I used a fresh orange's juice and zest for this dressing.

Olive Oil - We love the flavor of extra virgin olive oil, but a lighter one will work if that’s all you have.

Honey - To add sweetness and balance out the acidity.

Balsamic Vinegar - Apple cider vinegar would also work in this recipe.

Dijon Mustard - A touch of mustard ties it all together and helps the dressing emulsify (so it doesn’t separate).

Salt + Pepper - to season

Step-by-Step Instructions

6 slices of prosciutto on a piece of brown parchment on a baking sheet on a light wood plank background. A white square is in the upper left corner with a black '1'.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the prosciutto slices in a single layer on the baking sheet.

6 slices of crispy prosciutto on a piece of brown parchment on a baking sheet on a light wood plank background. A white square is in the upper left corner with a black '2'.

Bake until the slices start to shrivel and turn golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Check early because the prosciutto can burn quickly since it is so thin. Let cool completely, it will crisp up as it cools.

Dressing in a small food processor with the lid removed on a wood plank background. A white square is in the upper left corner with a black '3'.

While the prosciutto is crisping, wash and dry blackberries, chop pistachios and make dressing. I recommend making the dressing in a small food processor or using a hand blender to emulsify the vinaigrette.

In a large serving bowl, carefully toss blackberries, goat cheese crumbles, pistachios, mixed greens and chopped crispy prosciutto. Serve the dressing on the side.

Expert Tips

Use a small blender or food processor or hand blender. This force helps the honey and mustard emulsify the vinaigrette. You can also whisk it vigorously or shake it in a jar.

Limited time or ingredients? Alternative you could buy a good balsamic vinaigrette instead of making one. That way you have the convenience of dressing whenever you want a salad.

Angled two bowls of Blackberry Goat Cheese Salad on a wood plank background. In the background theres a small bowl of blackberries, a small oval wood bowl of pistachios, tall clear glass bottles, and a wood citrus juicer.

Recipe FAQ

Can I alter this recipe to feed a crowd?

Yes, this recipe is easy to double or triple to feed a crowd.

How do I make it ahead?

While this salad is so quick to make, I recommend making it day of. But if you want to make it ahead, I would suggest layering you salad with blackberries on the bottom, next, mixed greens and goat cheese on top. Layering this will ensure your salad doesn't get too soggy. Cover and store in the fridge for up to 1-2 days. For the prosciutto, I would suggest cooking the day of to keep it as crispy as possible.

Before serving, add nuts (this ensures they are crunchy), prosciutto and drizzle with dressing OR serve dressing on the side before serving.

Can I add protein to this salad?

Yes, grilled salmon or chicken would be great ways to bulk up this salad and add more protein.

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