Get ready to fall in love with your new favorite summer side dish. This Blueberry Peach Feta Salad is the perfect symphony of sweet, savory, tangy, and fresh. It’s a vibrant, show-stopping salad that tastes even better than it looks, and it comes together in just minutes. Perfect for a light lunch, a barbecue side, or a refreshing dinner, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
We combine juicy peaches, bursting blueberries, and creamy, salty feta cheese over a bed of crisp greens. A handful of crunchy pecans and a drizzle of homemade Lemon Basil Vinaigrette tie everything together. It’s simple, elegant, and packed with incredible flavor.
Why This Blueberry Peach Feta Salad Recipe Works
You’ll absolutely adore this recipe, and here’s why it stands out from the rest. It’s more than just a salad; it’s a celebration of peak-season produce.
- Perfect Flavor Combination: The sweetness of the ripe peaches and blueberries is perfectly balanced by the salty, briny flavor of the feta cheese.
- Amazing Textures: From the crisp greens and crunchy pecans to the soft fruit and creamy cheese, every bite is a delightful mix of textures.
- Incredibly Versatile: This salad is a fantastic standalone meal, but it also pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, salmon, or steak. It’s a perfect side for any summer gathering. Check out this Hot Honey Feta Chicken for a great pairing.
- Quick and Easy: With no cooking required, you can whip up this stunning salad in about 15 minutes. It’s the ideal recipe for a healthy, hassle-free meal.
Key Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this salad lies in its simplicity and the quality of its ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to bring this masterpiece to life.
For the Salad
- Mixed Greens: A base of arugula or a spring mix adds a slightly peppery and tender foundation.
- Peaches: Fresh, ripe yellow peaches are the star. Their juicy sweetness is essential.
- Blueberries: Look for plump, dark blueberries that burst with a sweet-tart flavor.
- Feta Cheese: A block of feta crumbled by hand offers the best flavor and creamy texture. Avoid pre-crumbled feta if possible.
- Pecans: Toasted pecans add a nutty crunch that complements the other ingredients perfectly.
- Red Onion: Thinly sliced red onion provides a sharp, savory bite that cuts through the sweetness.
For the Lemon Basil Vinaigrette
- Olive Oil: A good quality extra virgin olive oil forms the base of the dressing.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a bright, zesty kick.
- Honey: Just a touch of honey balances the acidity and enhances the fruit flavors.
- Fresh Basil: Finely chopped basil provides a fresh, aromatic, and slightly sweet note.
- Dijon Mustard: This acts as an emulsifier, helping the oil and lemon juice blend smoothly.
- Salt and Pepper: To taste, to enhance all the flavors.
How to Make the Perfect Blueberry Peach Feta Salad
Assembling this salad is incredibly simple. Follow these steps for a perfect result every time. The key is to layer the ingredients thoughtfully.
Step 1: Make the Lemon Basil Vinaigrette
Start by preparing the dressing. In a small bowl or a mason jar with a lid, combine the extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, and finely chopped basil. Whisk vigorously or shake the jar until the dressing is well-emulsified. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your liking. Set it aside to allow the flavors to meld together.
Step 2: Prepare the Salad Ingredients
Wash and thoroughly dry your mixed greens to ensure they stay crisp. Gently wash the peaches and blueberries. Slice the peaches into thin wedges and thinly slice the red onion. If your pecans aren’t toasted, you can toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant.
Step 3: Assemble the Salad
In a large salad bowl, start with the bed of mixed greens. Artfully arrange the sliced peaches, fresh blueberries, and thinly sliced red onion over the top. Crumble the feta cheese and sprinkle it evenly across the salad. Finally, add the toasted pecans.
Step 4: Dress and Serve
Just before serving, drizzle the Lemon Basil Vinaigrette over the salad. Toss gently to coat all the ingredients without bruising the delicate greens and fruit. Serve immediately and enjoy the fresh, vibrant flavors.
Tips for the Best Peach Salad
A few simple tips can elevate your Blueberry Peach Feta Salad from great to absolutely unforgettable.
- Use Ripe Peaches: The best peaches for this salad are ripe but still firm. They should have a sweet aroma and give slightly when gently pressed.
- Don’t Dress in Advance: To prevent a soggy salad, only add the dressing right before you plan to serve it.
- Toast the Nuts: Toasting pecans awakens their oils and deepens their flavor, adding an irresistible crunch and aroma.
- Serve Chilled: For the most refreshing experience, ensure your ingredients, especially the fruits and greens, are well-chilled before assembling.
Delicious Variations and Substitutions
This salad is fantastic as is, but it’s also a great canvas for creativity. Feel free to customize it based on your preferences or what you have on hand.
- Add Protein: Turn this into a hearty main course by adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or a scoop of quinoa.
- Try Different Cheeses: If you’re not a fan of feta, creamy goat cheese or fresh mozzarella pearls are excellent substitutes.
- Switch Up the Nuts: Candied walnuts, slivered almonds, or pistachios would all be delicious in place of pecans.
- Grill the Peaches: For a smoky and caramelized flavor, brush peach halves with a little oil and grill them for 2-3 minutes per side before slicing.
- Add More Herbs: Fresh mint leaves would add another layer of fresh, cooling flavor to the salad.
For another fruity and savory combination, try this delicious Cranberry Feta Pasta Salad.
What to Serve with This Salad
While this Blueberry Peach Feta Salad is a star on its own, it also serves as an excellent side dish. It pairs wonderfully with summer barbecue favorites like grilled chicken breast, pork tenderloin, or flaky white fish like halibut or cod. It’s also a perfect partner for a simple steak. For a vegetarian meal, serve it alongside a hearty grain like farro or a fresh baguette. If you are looking for an easy appetizer, consider these ham and cheese crescent roll-ups.
How to Store Leftover Salad
It’s best to enjoy this salad fresh. However, if you have leftovers, store the undressed salad components in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the vinaigrette in a separate airtight container. When you’re ready to eat, simply give the dressing a good shake and toss it with the salad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can prepare the components ahead of time. Wash and chop the fruit and vegetables and mix the dressing, but store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. Assemble and dress the salad just before serving to keep it from getting soggy.
Look for peaches that have a fragrant, sweet smell and vibrant color. They should give slightly when you gently press near the stem. Avoid peaches that are overly soft, bruised, or have a green tinge.
To make this salad a complete meal, add a source of protein. Grilled chicken breast, pan-seared salmon, grilled shrimp, or even a scoop of quinoa or chickpeas are all excellent additions.
A light vinaigrette is perfect for a peach salad. We recommend a zesty lemon basil vinaigrette, as the citrus brightens the fruit flavors. A simple balsamic vinaigrette also works wonderfully.
We love using arugula for its peppery bite, which contrasts nicely with the sweet fruit. However, a spring mix, baby spinach, or even romaine lettuce would also be delicious options.
Share Your Creations!
We hope you love this vibrant Blueberry Peach Feta Salad as much as we do! It’s a true taste of summer in every bite. If you make this recipe, we’d love to see it! Please leave a comment below or share a photo on Pinterest and tag us. Your feedback helps us and inspires other home cooks!
Blueberry Peach Feta Salad Recipe
Blueberry Peach Feta Salad with a Zesty Lemon Vinaigrette
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Make the Vinaigrette: In a small bowl or mason jar, combine the extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, honey, dijon mustard, and chopped basil. Whisk or shake until well combined and emulsified. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Prepare Ingredients: Wash and dry the mixed greens, peaches, and blueberries. Slice the peaches into thin wedges and thinly slice the red onion.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, place the mixed greens. Arrange the sliced peaches, blueberries, and red onion on top. Sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese and toasted pecans.
- Dress and Serve: Just before serving, drizzle the prepared vinaigrette over the salad. Toss gently to combine and serve immediately.
Notes
Storage: Store the undressed salad and the dressing in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Grill the Peaches: For extra flavor, grill the peach halves for 2-3 minutes per side until they have grill marks and are slightly softened.
