The sun-drenched aroma of grilled peaches wafts through the air as you gather fresh ingredients to create a vibrant Summer Grilled Peach Salad. This colorful dish takes about 30 minutes to prepare and offers a delightful mix of flavors and textures that highlights the essence of summer produce. The combination of sweet, smoky peaches and creamy goat cheese brings a refreshing twist to any meal.
This recipe is perfect for summer gatherings, picnics, or even a light lunch. The salad is best enjoyed fresh but can be prepared a few hours ahead of time; just wait to add the vinaigrette until ready to serve.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Grilling the peaches adds a smoky sweetness that elevates the salad.
- A mix of textures from creamy avocado, crunchy pistachios, and tender greens makes each bite exciting.
- The homemade basil vinaigrette delivers a fresh burst of flavor that ties everything together.
- Quick to prepare, this salad is perfect for impressing guests without spending hours in the kitchen.
What You’ll Need
Gather the following ingredients to create this delicious dish:
For the Salad
- 2 ripe but firm peaches, sliced into 8 wedges
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 ounces leafy greens, (I used a mix of arugula, spinach and butter lettuce)
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion, (about 1/4 a large red onion)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced lengthwise
- 1 medium avocado, diced
- 4 ounces goat cheese, (could swap for feta cheese)
- 1/3 cup roasted salted pistachios, roughly chopped
For the Dressing
- 1/2 cup olive oil or avocado oil
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 1/2 tablespoons raw honey
- 1 1/2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 cup fresh chopped basil
Feta cheese can be used instead of goat cheese.
Substitutions & Swaps
- Avocado can be omitted for lower calories.
- Feta cheese is a great alternative to goat cheese.
- Use mixed greens instead of just arugula or spinach.
- Maple syrup can replace raw honey for a vegan option.
How to Make It
Follow these simple steps to create your salad.
Preheat the Grill
Preheat your grill to medium heat and brush the peach wedges lightly with olive oil.
Grill the Peaches
Grill the peaches for about 3-4 minutes on each side until they are caramelized and have nice grill marks.
Combine the Salad Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the leafy greens, sliced red onion, cherry tomatoes, diced avocado, and goat cheese.
Add Grilled Peaches
Add the grilled peaches and chopped pistachios to the salad mix.
Prepare the Vinaigrette
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, dijon mustard, kosher salt, and chopped basil to create the vinaigrette.
Toss and Serve
Drizzle the basil vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to combine. Serve immediately and enjoy your Summer Grilled Peach Salad!
How to Store It
Fridge: up to 2 days in an airtight container.
Freezer: no, fresh ingredients don’t freeze well.
Reheat: not recommended; best served fresh.
Tips for Best Results
- Use firm peaches to prevent mushiness after grilling.
- Don’t skip the roasting of the pistachios for extra flavor.
- Mix the salad dressing right before serving for maximum freshness.
Serving Suggestions
- Pair it with grilled chicken for a heartier meal.
- Serve alongside a light white wine for a summer picnic.
- Great as an appetizer at summer barbecues.
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