Loveland-Inspired Grilled Peach and Arugula Salad

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

A fresh salad featuring smoky grilled peaches, peppery arugula, and tangy goat cheese, reflecting the vibrant outdoor spirit of Loveland, Colorado. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 25 minutes pairs halved and pitted ripe peaches, olive oil, baby arugula 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 Mediterranean cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat an outdoor grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F).
  2. Step 2: Brush 3 halved and pitted ripe peaches with 1 tbsp olive oil to coat and place cut side down on the grill. Grill for 3-4 minutes until grill marks appear and peaches soften slightly.
  3. Step 3: Flip the peaches and grill the skin side for an additional 2 minutes, then remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  4. Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
  5. Step 5: In a large salad bowl, toss 4 cups baby arugula with half of the dressing until evenly coated.
  6. Step 6: Slice the grilled peaches into wedges and arrange on top of the arugula. Sprinkle 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese and 1/3 cup toasted pecans over the salad.
  7. Step 7: Drizzle the remaining dressing over the salad just before serving to maintain freshness.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Loveland-Inspired Grilled Peach and Arugula 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 Loveland-Inspired Grilled Peach and Arugula 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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Loveland-Inspired Grilled Peach and Arugula 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 Loveland-Inspired Grilled Peach and Arugula 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 Loveland-Inspired Grilled Peach and Arugula Salad?

Mediterranean 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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