Best Summer Peach Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
A refreshing salad featuring ripe peaches, crisp greens, and a tangy balsamic dressing that highlights summer's sweetest fruit. This american-inspired salads ready in about 15 minutes pairs large, sliced peaches, (140g) mixed greens, shaved Parmesan cheese into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 large, sliced peaches
- 5 oz (140g) mixed greens
- 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup, toasted walnuts
- 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 clove, minced garlic
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Whisk together balsamic vinegar, 2 tbsp olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and 1/4 tsp salt in a small bowl until emulsified.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine mixed greens, sliced peaches, and toasted walnuts. Drizzle with 3/4 of the vinaigrette and toss gently to coat all ingredients.
- Step 3: Divide salad among plates, sprinkle with 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese, and drizzle with remaining vinaigrette just before serving.
- Step 4: Serve immediately while greens are crisp and peaches are fresh, ensuring the dressing coats the salad without making it soggy.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Best Summer Peach Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Best Summer Peach Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep large, sliced peaches from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Best Summer Peach Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Best Summer Peach Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Best Summer Peach Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette?
American salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Added this to my weekly meal rotation. So satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 0-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
