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Grilled Peach & Arugula Summer Salad

Grilled Peach & Arugula Summer Salad
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The Grilled Peach & Arugula Summer Salad is a refreshing, vibrant dish that combines juicy, caramelized peaches with peppery arugula and complementary ingredients. Perfect for warm weather, this quick and easy salad offers a balanced blend of sweet, peppery, and tangy flavors, suitable for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets.

Ingredients

Scale

Fruits and Greens

  • 3–4 ripe but firm fresh peaches
  • 4 cups fresh arugula leaves (or mixed greens/spinach as a variation)

Dressings and Oils

  • 2 tbsp high-quality extra virgin olive oil (for grilling and drizzling)
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1–2 tsp honey or balsamic glaze (for drizzling)

Cheese (Optional)

  • 1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese or feta (or vegan cheese alternative)

Nuts and Seasonings

  • 1/4 cup toasted walnuts or pecans (or pumpkin seeds/almonds as variations)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the peaches: Wash and slice the peaches into halves or thick wedges, carefully removing the pits. Lightly brush peach slices with olive oil to prevent sticking and help with caramelization during grilling.
  2. Grill the peaches: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Place peach slices cut side down on the grill. Grill for 3 to 4 minutes until visible grill marks appear and the fruit softens slightly. Flip and grill the other side for an additional 2 minutes.
  3. Assemble the salad base: In a large bowl, combine fresh arugula leaves (or preferred greens). Drizzle with olive oil and fresh lemon juice. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, then gently toss to coat evenly.
  4. Add toppings and dress: Arrange warm grilled peach slices on top of the greens. Sprinkle with crumbled goat cheese or your choice of cheese. Add toasted nuts, then drizzle honey or balsamic glaze over the salad for extra sweetness and complexity.

Notes

  • Choose firm peaches to prevent mushiness while grilling and to achieve perfect caramelization.
  • Don’t overcrowd the grill; give each peach slice enough space for even cooking and attractive grill marks.
  • Toast nuts ahead in a dry pan over medium heat for 3-5 minutes to enhance their flavor.
  • Use fresh lemon juice to maintain brightness and flavor balance in the salad.
  • Toss the salad gently to preserve the delicate texture of arugula and integrity of grilled peaches.
  • Store leftover grilled peaches and greens separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for best freshness.
  • Reheat grilled peaches gently in a warm pan without oil to restore caramelized warmth before serving.
  • Freezing the salad is not recommended as texture and flavor degrade upon thawing.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled peach salad, arugula salad, summer salad, gluten free salad, vegan salad, fresh peach recipe, healthy salad

Find it online: https://eazyummy.com/grilled-peach-arugula-summer-salad/