Bing Cherry and Goat Cheese Salad with Toasted Walnuts
A vibrant salad featuring sweet Bing cherries, tangy goat cheese, and crunchy toasted walnuts dressed in a balsamic vinaigrette. This mediterranean-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 20 minutes pairs pitted and halved Bing cherries, Mixed salad greens, crumbled Goat 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 4, 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
- 1 cup, pitted and halved Bing cherries
- 4 cups Mixed salad greens
- 4 oz, crumbled Goat cheese
- 1/2 cup, roughly chopped Walnuts
- 3 tbsp Olive oil
- 1.5 tbsp Balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp Honey
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup roughly chopped walnuts and toast for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant and golden, then remove from heat to cool.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 1.5 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1 tsp honey, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper until emulsified.
- Step 3: In a large salad bowl, combine 4 cups mixed salad greens, 1 cup pitted and halved Bing cherries, and 4 oz crumbled goat cheese.
- Step 4: Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad ingredients and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
- Step 5: Sprinkle the toasted walnuts on top just before serving for a crunchy contrast.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Bing Cherry and Goat Cheese Salad with Toasted Walnuts take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (15 min prep + 5 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 Bing Cherry and Goat Cheese Salad with Toasted Walnuts?
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 mixed salad greens from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Bing Cherry and Goat Cheese Salad with Toasted Walnuts?
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 Bing Cherry and Goat Cheese Salad with Toasted Walnuts for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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.
Is Bing Cherry and Goat Cheese Salad with Toasted Walnuts vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
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