Bright, bold, and bursting with summer flavor, this Grilled Peaches, Arugula & Feta Salad is a celebration in a bowl! The warm caramelization of grilled peaches, the peppery freshness of arugula, and those salty crumbles of feta come together in a combo that’s both sophisticated and comforting—perfect for brunch, lunch, or a light dinner al fresco.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- An Explosion of Texture: Between juicy peaches, lively arugula, crunchy pecans, and crumbly feta, every forkful is an adventure for your tastebuds.
- Ridiculously Simple Yet Impressive: With just a handful of ingredients and barely 20 minutes, you’ll have a salad that looks restaurant-worthy (but is secretly so easy).
- A Showstopper for Any Occasion: Serve it at a barbecue, pair it with grilled meats, or make it the star of your weeknight table—this salad adapts to every event.
- Naturally Fresh and Nourishing: You’ll love how this dish spotlights summer produce while packing in wholesome greens and healthy fats.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Grilled Peaches, Arugula & Feta Salad relies on the magic of a few well-chosen ingredients. Each one plays a starring role—bringing either sweetness, zest, crunch, or creamy tang to make every bite irresistible.
- Ripe Peaches: The real secret here is using peaches that are just soft and fragrant—firm enough to grill but perfectly sweet.
- Olive Oil: For brushing the peaches and whisking into the vinaigrette; use a fruity extra virgin if you have it.
- Baby Arugula: Its peppery snap stands up beautifully to the juicy, grilled fruit (but feel free to swap in baby spinach or mixed greens in a pinch).
- Pecan Halves: Toasted pecans offer a rich, buttery crunch; you can toast them quickly in a dry skillet for max flavor.
- Crumbled Feta (or Bleu Cheese): The creamy, salty pop contrasts delightfully with the sweet peaches—use your favorite or go half-and-half!
- Balsamic Vinegar (or White Wine Vinegar): Adds a bright acidity to balance all the richness—choose a good-quality vinegar for best flavor.
- Freshly Ground Salt & Black Pepper: A finishing touch that makes all the flavors stand up and sing.
Variations
One of the joys of Grilled Peaches, Arugula & Feta Salad is how easy it is to play around with the ingredients based on what’s in season or already in your fridge. Don’t be afraid to personalize it to suit your cravings or dietary needs!
- Swap Out the Greens: Try baby spinach, mixed spring greens, or even butter lettuce as the base for a different texture and flavor.
- Nuts and Seeds: Use walnuts, sliced almonds, or even sunflower seeds if pecans aren’t your favorite or you want a new crunch.
- Different Cheese: Not a feta fan? Goat cheese, burrata, or even creamy ricotta will work beautifully in this salad.
- Add Protein: Toss in grilled chicken, shrimp, or even chickpeas to turn this stunner into a satisfying main meal.
- Switch Up the Dressing: A honey-mustard or lemon vinaigrette would bring a different zing to this already-bright bowl.
How to Make Grilled Peaches, Arugula & Feta Salad
Step 1: Prepare and Grill the Peaches
First things first: halve and pit the peaches, then brush all sides lightly with olive oil. This helps prevent sticking and promotes those gorgeous grill marks. Place them cut side down on a preheated grill (or grill pan!) over medium heat. Grill each side for 4–6 minutes until the peaches caramelize and soften ever so slightly, but still hold their shape. Set aside to cool—they’ll smell absolutely irresistible.
Step 2: Toast the Pecans
While the peaches are grilling, give those pecans a quick toast in a dry skillet over medium-low heat. Stir frequently for 2–3 minutes until they’re fragrant and just golden. This step truly amplifies their deep, nutty flavor—don’t skip it!
Step 3: Make the Vinaigrette
Whisk together the balsamic (or white wine) vinegar with olive oil, salt, and a few generous grinds of black pepper in a small bowl. Homemade vinaigrette takes less than a minute and truly lets all the salad’s flavors shine.
Step 4: Assemble the Salad
Add the arugula to a big mixing bowl and toss with the vinaigrette until every leaf is glistening. Divide the dressed greens between plates, top with pecans and crumbled feta, then arrange slices of those beautiful grilled peaches over the top. Serve immediately while the peaches are still slightly warm—the contrast is irresistible!
Pro Tips for Making Grilled Peaches, Arugula & Feta Salad
- Choose Just-Ripe Peaches: Don’t pick peaches that are too soft—they’ll fall apart on the grill. You want them yielding slightly to the touch for the perfect caramelized finish.
- Grill Pan Works Wonders: No outdoor grill? No problem! A stovetop grill pan delivers beautiful char lines and flavor.
- Dress Just Before Serving: Toss the arugula with vinaigrette only when you’re ready to assemble so the greens stay perky (no soggy salads here!).
- Layer for Visual Appeal: Arranging grilled peach wedges on top ensures every serving looks salad-bar stunning—and you won’t crush those lovely slices underneath.
How to Serve Grilled Peaches, Arugula & Feta Salad
Garnishes
A final flourish of freshly cracked black pepper or a handful of thinly sliced basil will add a fragrant pop. If you want even more drama, a quick drizzle of reduced balsamic glaze not only amps up the flavor but creates those gorgeous, Instagrammable ribbons across your Grilled Peaches, Arugula & Feta Salad.
Side Dishes
This salad is vibrant enough to be a main, but it’s also fabulous alongside grilled chicken, pork chops, or even a charcuterie board for an upscale picnic. For a light meal, crisp crostini or a juicy tomato tart transforms it into a lovely lunch spread.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special touch, serve Grilled Peaches, Arugula & Feta Salad individually on salad plates or stack the components in a wide, shallow bowl so those stunning peach wedges are front and center. You can even skewer the grilled peaches and crumbled feta for salad “kebabs” at outdoor parties—it’s guaranteed to wow any crowd!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you somehow have leftovers, store the grilled peaches, greens, cheese, and pecans separately in airtight containers in the fridge. This keeps the ingredients fresh and prevents the arugula from wilting in the vinaigrette.
Freezing
Freezing isn’t recommended for Grilled Peaches, Arugula & Feta Salad, as the texture of the peaches and greens will suffer. However, you can freeze toasted pecans and even leftover cheese for longer storage if needed.
Reheating
To gently revive leftover grilled peaches, warm them in a skillet over low heat for about 1 minute—just until fragrant and slightly softened. Always reassemble the salad fresh to keep the greens crisp!
FAQs
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Can I use canned or frozen peaches instead of fresh?
Fresh peaches truly shine in this salad, especially when grilled. If using canned, choose halves in juice (not syrup), drain well, and pat dry before grilling. Frozen peaches aren’t recommended as they can become mushy, but in a pinch, thawed peach halves patted dry may work—just handle them gently on the grill.
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What can I substitute for arugula in this salad?
If you need to swap out the arugula, mixed baby greens, baby spinach, or even butter lettuce will make a delicious base for the Grilled Peaches, Arugula & Feta Salad. Just be aware that milder greens will offer less of a peppery bite, so you might want to add a sprinkle of extra black pepper or some thinly shaved red onion for zip.
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Is it possible to make Grilled Peaches, Arugula & Feta Salad ahead of time?
You can prep the vinaigrette, toast the pecans, and even grill the peaches a few hours in advance—just keep the elements separate and assemble right before serving. This way, the salad stays perky and the flavors fresh.
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What should I do if I don’t have a grill or grill pan?
No grill? No problem! You can caramelize the peach halves in a hot, non-stick skillet. The flavor won’t be smoky, but you’ll still get that lovely golden surface and a warm, tender bite perfect for this Grilled Peaches, Arugula & Feta Salad.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been craving something fresh yet satisfying, there’s no better way to savor summer than with a big, colorful bowl of Grilled Peaches, Arugula & Feta Salad. Whether you serve it outdoors on a sunny patio or whip it up for a quick weeknight dinner, this salad is pure joy on a plate. Give it a try—and let the simple magic of sweet, smoky peaches convince you that salad can be the most exciting thing on your table!
Print
Grilled Peaches, Arugula & Feta Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2–4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Grilled Peaches, Arugula & Feta Salad is a delightful combination of sweet, smoky grilled peaches, peppery arugula, creamy feta cheese, and crunchy pecans, all tossed in a simple balsamic vinaigrette. It’s a perfect summer salad that balances flavors and textures beautifully.
Ingredients
Grilled Peaches:
- 2 peaches, pitted and halved
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
Salad:
- 3 cups baby arugula (or other favorite greens)
- 1/3 cup pecan halves, toasted
- 1/3 cup crumbled feta or bleu cheese
Vinaigrette:
- 3 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar (or white wine vinegar)
- freshly ground black pepper and salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Grilled Peaches: Brush all sides of the peaches lightly with 1 Tbsp. of olive oil. Grill the peaches over a medium fire until they brown lightly and begin to soften slightly, 4 to 6 minutes on each side. Transfer the grilled peaches to a platter and let them cool slightly. Cut each half into 1/2-inch-thick wedges.
- Make the Vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar and olive oil, adding a pinch of salt and fresh pepper to taste.
- Assemble the Salad: Add the arugula to a large bowl and toss it with the vinaigrette. Divide the dressed greens among 4 salad plates. Top with cheese and pecans, then arrange grilled peach wedges on top. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
