Traverse City Cherry and Goat Cheese Salad

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

A refreshing salad featuring Traverse City cherries, creamy goat cheese, and toasted pecans atop mixed greens with a light vinaigrette. This american-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 15 minutes pairs mixed salad greens, goat cheese, crumbled, pecans, toasted and chopped 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 210 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 Serves 4 American cuisine 210 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp honey, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified to make the vinaigrette.
  2. Step 2: Place 5 cups mixed salad greens in a large bowl; add 1 cup halved fresh Traverse City cherries and 1/3 cup toasted chopped pecans.
  3. Step 3: Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
  4. Step 4: Divide the salad onto four plates and sprinkle each with 1 oz crumbled goat cheese for a creamy, tangy finish.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Traverse City Cherry and Goat Cheese Salad 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 Traverse City 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 Traverse City 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 Traverse City 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.

Is Traverse City Cherry and Goat Cheese Salad 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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