Sweet Tea Poached Peach and Pecan Salad
A refreshing salad combining sweet tea-poached peaches with toasted pecans, mixed greens, and a honey-mustard vinaigrette. This southern-inspired salads ready in about 30 minutes pairs large South Carolina peaches, sliced, bags black tea bags, water 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
- 3 large South Carolina peaches, sliced
- 4 bags black tea bags
- 4 cups water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 6 cups mixed salad greens
- 1 cup toasted pecans
- 1/2 cup goat cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring 4 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Remove from heat and steep 4 black tea bags for 5 minutes. Remove tea bags, stir in 1/2 cup granulated sugar until dissolved.
- Step 2: Add 3 large sliced South Carolina peaches to the sweet tea and simmer gently over medium-low heat for 8-10 minutes until peaches are tender but hold shape. Remove peaches and let cool.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
- Step 4: In a large salad bowl, combine 6 cups mixed salad greens, 1 cup toasted pecans, 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese, and the cooled peaches. Drizzle the honey-mustard vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to combine before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sweet Tea Poached Peach and Pecan Salad take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 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 Sweet Tea Poached Peach and Pecan 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 bags black tea bags from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sweet Tea Poached Peach and Pecan 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 Sweet Tea Poached Peach and Pecan 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 Sweet Tea Poached Peach and Pecan Salad?
Southern 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.
