Arugula Peach Salad: Spicy arugula is paired with sweet and juicy peaches and cherries in a citrus vinaigrette for a gorgeous and refreshing summer salad perfect for backyard BBQs and picnics!
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Peaches and cherries are my favorite summer fruits, so why not put the two together to create the ultimate fruit salad?
This Arugula Peach Salad with Red Cherries perfectly complements the sweetness of peaches and cherries and the spice of arugula. It’s best enjoyed during the hot summer when peaches are ripe and juicy, and cherries drop from the trees.
This seasonal salad will shine among the traditional backyard summer dishes and become a favorite to return to again and again!
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Ingredients and Substitutions
Arugula: This slightly spicy green vegetable is delicate and a lovely pair for fresh fruit. If you do not like arugula, use fresh spinach or baby kale.
Peaches: I use yellow peaches, but you could also use white or nectarines!
Red Cherries: Numerous cherry varieties exist. Use whatever you like the best and can find in your local grocery store.
Lime Juice: Added to the fresh fruit for a tart finish.
Fresh Herbs: A combination of basil and mint creates a refreshing herbal finish. You could also use fresh parsley or cilantro if you choose.
Maple Syrup: Added to the vinaigrette with the lime juice and herbs to counter the tartness of the lime juice. However, you could skip this ingredient or use agave syrup instead.
Salt and Pepper: A touch of salt and a hint of black pepper pull the flavors of the viniagrette together to emphasize the flavors of the arugula and peaches.
Recommended Tools
- Cherry Pitter: This tool makes it super easy to remove the pits from the cherries so you can easily cut them in half.
- Peach Pitter: Another great tool for preparing this fruit salad is a peach pitter, which quickly and easily removes the pit.
How to Make Arugula Peach Salad
- Add the arugula to a large salad bowl or serving platter.
- Slice the peaches into wedges. Remove the seeds from the cherries and cut them in half.
- Rinse the sliced cherries under cold water to remove excess juice. (This helps keep the cherries from staining the peaches red.)
- Add the peaches and cherries to a medium mixing bowl.
- Whisk together the lime juice and maple syrup or agave nectar in a small bowl.
- Pour the dressing over the fruit and gently toss to combine.
- Finely chop the mint and basil. Add to the bowl of peaches and cherries and gently toss again.
- Top the arugula with the fresh fruit. Serve immediately for the freshest taste.
How to Choose the Best Peaches
- Use ripe peaches, but not overly ripe. The best peach is firm to the touch, not squishy, and not hard.
- Smell the peaches. If they give off a sweet aroma, they are ripe for eating!
- Look for peaches that are golden yellow and orange with a green stem. Avoid peaches that are wrinkled.
- If your peaches aren’t quite ripe, place them in a paper bag on your kitchen counter for a day or two. They will quickly ripen and be ready to enjoy.
Recipe FAQS
If peaches are not in season, I recommend using jarred peaches. Look for jarred peaches that don’t include added sugar or corn syrup.
As is, this arugula peach salad is a side salad to be served along with other main dishes. But you can make it more robust by adding goat cheese or feta cheese and chopped nuts such as walnuts or pecans. These meaty nuts complement the sweetness of the peaches.
You can prepare the peaches and cherries up to an hour in advance. Refrigerate and allow the flavors to meld together. Then, place the fresh fruit on top of the arugula and serve. I do not recommend making the salad more than an hour before as the peaches and cherries can become too soft.
Serving Suggestions
Additional Vegetables: Add some thinly sliced red onions for a bit of bite to compliment the sweetness of the fruits.
Additional Fruit: Use a combination of stone fruit such as nectarines and plums for a contrast of flavors. Try adding some fresh blueberries for a pop of color! These colorful fruits all pair nicely with peppery arugula.
Add Some Crunch: Top with sunflower seeds, pine nuts, walnuts, or pecans.
Video
Storage
Refrigerate: Store the arugula and fruit in two separate airtight containers. It’s best to enjoy the salad immediately after preparing, but the fruit will keep for up to 1 day.
More Summer Salad Recipes!
Recipe
Arugula Peach Salad
Equipment
- peach pitter
Save This Recipe
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Ingredients
- 4 cups arugula
- 3 peaches pitted and cut into wedges
- 1 cup fresh cherries pitted and cut in half
- 1 tablespoon fresh mint finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil finely chopped
Vinaigrette
- 2 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or agave syrup
Instructions
- Add the arugula to a large salad bowl or serving platter.
- Remove the pit from the peaches and slice into wedges.
- Remove the seeds from the cherries and cut them in half.
- Rinse the sliced cherries under cold water to remove excess juice. (This helps keep the cherries from staining the peaches red.)
- Add the peaches and cherries to a medium mixing bowl.
- Whisk together the lime juice and maple syrup or agave nectar in a small bowl.
- Pour the dressing over the fruit and gently toss to combine.
- Finely chop the mint and basil. Add to the bowl of peaches and cherries and gently toss again.
- Top the arugula with the fresh fruit. Serve immediately for the freshest taste.
Video
Notes
-
- Use ripe peaches, but not overly ripe. The best peach is firm to the touch, not squishy, and not hard.
-
- Smell the peaches. If they give off a sweet aroma, they are ripe for eating!
-
- Look for peaches that are golden yellow and orange with a green stem. Avoid peaches that are wrinkled.
-
- If your peaches aren’t ripe, place them in a paper bag on your kitchen counter for a day or two. They will quickly ripen and be ready to enjoy.
- Prepare the peaches and cherries up to an hour before serving and chill to help meld the flavors together.
- Store the arugula and fruit in two separate airtight containers. It’s best to enjoy the salad immediately after preparing, but the fruit will keep for up to 1 day.
Alison Corey
Make sure you have fresh in season ripe peaches! It really makes this salad work!