Summer Peach Salad is filled with juicy peaches and fresh blueberries, and topped with a tangy and creamy blueberry peach balsamic dressing. It's perfect as a side salad for summer grilling, and you only need 9 ingredients to make it, including the dressing!
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*This post was originally published in July 2018 and has been updated with new text and photos and a few recipe adjustments.
Peaches are a staple in our house this time of year, and one of my fave ways to enjoy them is in salads. I love how their sweet juiciness mingles with savory ingredients to create light and refreshing salads. And this blueberry peach salad is definitely refreshing!
It's also topped with an easy balsamic dressing made with fresh peaches and blueberries. It's creamy, without dairy, and the tanginess pairs well with the juicy fruit and salty feta in the salad.
Ingredients
- Fresh peaches and blueberries
- Your choice of greens
- Cilantro
- Cooked quinoa
- Pecans
- Feta
- Balsamic vinegar and oil (for the dressing)
How to make peach blueberry salad with balsamic dressing
- This is an easy recipe to make, and it can be served as a family style salad or in individual servings.
- Start by making your dressing. Add your blueberries, half a peeled peach, oil and vinegar to a blender, and blend on high until thick and creamy with flecks of blueberry throughout.
- To assemble the salad, prep your greens and cilantro (washing and chopping as necessary). Toss them together and add them all to a large bowl or divide them onto 6 serving plates.
- Layer on the peach slices, blueberries, quinoa, pecans and feta.
- Drizzle with dressing and serve!
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can prep most of the salad ingredients in advance and assemble when ready to serve. The balsamic dressing, however, includes fresh peaches and blueberries, so I find it's best enjoyed fresh. I suggest waiting to make it until just before serving.
If you have leftover salad without dressing on it, you can just place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. Leftovers are best enjoyed within a day or two. The dressing should not be kept as leftovers, but enjoyed within a few hours of making it.
Absolutely, just forego the feta cheese and ensure your balsamic vinegar is vegan.
Recipe tips and substitutions
- You will need about 6 cups of greens for this salad. I usually make it with a mix of red and green leafy lettuce, but you can also make it with spinach, arugula, Swiss chard, kale, beet greens or Boston lettuce, or whatever you have on hand.
- I also add half a cup of fresh cilantro as I love the flavor twist it adds. If you're not a cilantro lover, you can omit it or use fresh parsley instead.
- As mentioned, the balsamic dressing includes fresh peaches and blueberries, so it's best enjoyed fresh. If you're looking for a dressing that can be made and stored in advance, I've included the recipe for my honey basil vinaigrette in the recipe notes.
- This recipes calls for peach slices, but when I have extra time, I usually make it with grilled peaches. Instructions on how to do this are also included in the recipe notes.
- To keep it simple, I used raw pecan halves in this salad, but you can also use chopped pecans, or even candied pecans. Walnuts or sliced almonds would also work well.
- This salad is pretty hearty with the added quinoa, but if you want to make it an entrée salad, just add some grilled chicken, tofu or shrimp.
- Try this raspberry poppy seed dressing in place of the balsamic vinaigrette.
More summer salads
- Chicken and Peach Quinoa Salad with honey basil vinaigrette
- Stone Fruit Salad with peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots and cherries and a mint basil vinaigrette
- Summer Vegetable Orzo Salad with peaches and feta
- Strawberry Kale Salad with avocado and poppyseed dressing
- Blueberry Spinach Salad with dijon dressing
If you make this recipe, I'd love to hear what you think in the comments below!
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📖 Recipe
Summer Peach Salad with Blueberries
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 6 cups greens of choice
- ½ cup cilantro, packed, chopped and stems mostly removed
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- ½ cup raw pecans
- ¼ cup feta cheese
- 2 medium-sized peaches, sliced
For the blueberry peach balsamic dressing:
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- ½ cup fresh blueberries
- ½ medium-sized peach, peeled and sliced
Instructions
- Assemble the salad: Toss together the greens and cilantro and add to a large bowl or onto 6 small plates. Layer on the remaining salad ingredients.
- Make the dressing: Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend on high until thick and creamy with flecks of blueberry throughout.
- Serve: Drizzle the dressing over the salad and serve.
Notes
- The balsamic dressing includes fresh peaches and blueberries, so I find it's best enjoyed fresh. I suggest waiting to make it until just before serving.
- If you want a make ahead dressing for this salad, I like to use a honey basil vinaigrette, which can be stored at room temperature for a few days. You'll just need ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons liquid honey, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil and a dash of salt. Blend and pour into a jar with a lid.
- To grill peaches, just cut them in half and remove the pit. Brush the cut side with olive oil and place cut side down on the grill for 3-5 minutes. You can flip and grill on the other side if you like, but to keep the peaches firm and easy to slice for the salad, I only grill them on one side.
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Nutrition Facts per Serving
Disclaimer
Nutrition information is an estimate only and will vary depending on the substitutions made and the brands used.
Did you make this recipe or have any questions?
I love reading your comments and addressing your questions, so please leave your comments and ratings or questions below!
Christina says
Holy moly, those grilled peaches look utterly divine! Gorgeous photography and mouthwatering recipe!! Pinning!
Leanne says
Thanks so much Christina!
Christie says
The salad looks beautiful and so delicious! The peaches are a fantastic addition to this recipe. Such a creative dish for the summer time.
Leanne says
Thanks Christie! The peaches add a nice sweetness to the salad!
Katherine | Love In My Oven says
Quinoa in salads is simply the best! I eat a lot of salad too, especially in the summer when I just want a light lunch or dinner. That vinaigrette looks amazing!! Hooray for stone fruit season 🙂
Leanne says
Salads are the perfect light lunch or supper! And I love adding fresh fruit especially this time of year. Yes, yay to stone fruit! Thanks Katherine! Happy weekend.
Terri says
I love this recipe! Would never have thought to use sweet or fruit with quinoa, but what an excellent idea! I hope to try this with some fresh summer produce!
Leanne says
Thanks Terri! I hope you get to try it. The quinoa is lovely mixed in amongst the greens and topped with a sweet vinaigrette!
heather (delicious not gorgeous) says
ahhh love the sound of this for lunch!!! i need fruit in all my salads, so having blueberries and peaches in this one is making me drool (:
Leanne says
Thanks Heather! I love adding fruit to my salads, especially this time of year!
Lizzy says
The colour of that salad dressing is amazing! It sounds so delicious too... perfect for summer!
Leanne says
Thanks Lizzy! I really loved how the salad dressing turned out - the colour and the taste!
Jo Vanderwolf says
All those flavors and textures and colors!!! Wow. So lovely. I'm adding this to my must-try list for the summer. 🙂
Leanne says
Thanks Jo! Be sure to let me know what you think if you try it! Happy summer! 😉
Nathalie from Savoureux Bonheur says
Hi Leanne, your salad looks so delicious! Quinoa, grilled peaches, blueberry are such a colorful and tasteful combination! It's a must try! Thank you for the recipe!
Leanne says
Thanks so much Nathalie! Wish you could drop by to join me for some! Hope you're having a lovely summer!
Denise from Urb'n'Spice says
Your Blueberry Peach Quinoa Salad definitely has a WOW factor, Leanne - it is beautiful! I was lucky enough to teach some courses at a place that sold gorgeous oils and vinegars, so I understand what they add to the flavour of dishes, especially salads. I cannot wait to try it! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Leanne says
Thank you, Denise, for your lovely comment! I love trying different oils and vinegars, especially in salads. I hope you get to try this recipe! Take care!
Jaclyn says
Such a beautiful salad Leanne! I love the grilled peaches, I am definitely going to try this soon 🙂
Leanne says
Thanks so much Jaclyn! I hope you like it. Would love to know what you think if you make it!
Ben|Havocinthekitchen says
We've been having an unbearable heat wave recently (up to 35 degrees C but feeling like 40 with humidity) in Nova Scotia. Luckily, it's cooling down a little. But I'll gladly send some of our hot weather to Newfoundland:) This salad is gorgeous, and it's the kind of salads I love - beautiful and awesome!
Leanne says
Thank you Ben! And I will gladly take some of your heat and humidity. Although we have been enjoying some nice temps lately (minus the wind!). Hope it cools down a bit for you!
Ashika | Gardening Foodie says
WOW Leanne, I love the colour and the combination of ingredients in this salad. Especially the peach and blueberry ...so beautiful. It must taste absolutely amazing. This I would love to try. Thank you for sharing...have a great weekend 🙂
Leanne says
Thanks Ashika! It's a lovely summer combo. I was eating it on repeat last week! Now I need to stock up on peaches again!
Kim Lange says
Such a beautiful salad Leeanne! I love salads and I'm loving your blueberries and peaches addition with the quinoa! And YES that viniagrette looks to die for!! YUM!!
Leanne says
Thanks Kim! I love this salad, but the vinaigrette is truly the best part!
Terry says
Looks amazing! I never thought of blueberries and peaches going together...I will definetly have to try this!
I will have to try that olive oil as well
Leanne says
Thanks Terry! I would love to know what you think if you make it! And yes, blueberries and peaches together are quite tasty! 😉
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says
Oh my GOSH. The color of that vinaigrette is insane! Salads are one of my favorite dinners but I rarely make my own dressing. (I'm lazy.) I'll be trying this one though!
Leanne says
I ate salads for years, and only started making my own dressings in recent years. It's so easy. Once you start, you will never buy store-bought again. (Unless that's what your husband prefers - insert eye roll here!!!)
[email protected] says
This is absolutely stunning! That vinaigrette needs to be on everything this summer
Leanne says
I totally agree Patrick! Thanks! 😉
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
I absolutely love quinoa salads Leanne! And this looks so fresh and delicious for summer. I love that vinaigrette!
Leanne says
Thanks Mary! I love the texture that quinoa adds to salads! And the vinaigrette is a must on this salad for sure!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
Such a beautiful salad, Leanne!! I could eat salads all the time too, especially if they looked this good!! You say 4 servings, but I'm pretty sure it's like two, lol. I know I'd want extra of this one 😉 Bring on sunny days, warm weather and all the summer food!
Leanne says
Thanks Dawn! This is definitely a summery salad, and I'm pretty sure I could eat this in two servings too! Happy summer friend! Hope you're having a good one!