Kalamazoo-Inspired Grilled Cherry and Goat Cheese Salad

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant salad combining grilled sweet cherries, creamy goat cheese, and toasted pecans over mixed greens with a balsamic glaze. This american-inspired salads ready in about 25 minutes pairs fresh sweet cherries, pitted and halved, mixed salad greens, goat cheese, crumbled 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 American cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat and toss 1 cup pitted and halved fresh sweet cherries with 1 tbsp olive oil.
  2. Step 2: Grill the cherries for 2-3 minutes per side until they develop grill marks and soften slightly.
  3. Step 3: In a small saucepan, combine 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar and 1 tbsp honey. Simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes until thickened into a glaze, then remove from heat.
  4. Step 4: In a large bowl, toss 6 cups mixed salad greens with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  5. Step 5: Plate the greens and top with the grilled cherries, 4 oz crumbled goat cheese, and 1/2 cup toasted chopped pecans.
  6. Step 6: Drizzle the balsamic glaze over the salad just before serving for a sweet and tangy finish.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Kalamazoo-Inspired Grilled Cherry and Goat Cheese Salad take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 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 Kalamazoo-Inspired Grilled Cherry and Goat Cheese Salad?

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 Kalamazoo-Inspired Grilled Cherry and Goat Cheese Salad?

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 Kalamazoo-Inspired Grilled Cherry and Goat Cheese Salad 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.

What goes well with Kalamazoo-Inspired Grilled Cherry and Goat Cheese Salad?

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.

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