Looking for a summer salad that is as stunning as it is simple? This Grilled Peach Salad is a seasonal showstopper that brings together the best of summer’s bounty.
Juicy peaches are lightly grilled to bring out their natural sweetness, then paired with creamy goat cheese, crisp greens, and a drizzle of homemade honey-balsamic vinaigrette. The balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors makes every bite irresistible.
I return to this dish year after year—and for good reason. It’s easy to make, beautiful on the plate, and always a crowd-pleaser. Whether hosting a dinner al fresco or just treating yourself to a fresh, feel-good meal, this salad delivers flavor and elegance with minimal effort.
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This rich, in-flavor, and colorful grilled peach salad feels like summer on a plate. It’s an excellent side dish for all your barbecues or just as a main course when you want something light and easy on a hot summer night.
In this Article
- Why you will love this recipe
- Ingredients needed to make this recipe
- Equipment Needed
- Step by step on how to make this delicious salad with grilled peaches
- Pro Tips
- What dishes can you enjoy with this grilled peach salad?
- Variations and Substitutions
- Storing and Reheating
- Frequently Asked Questions
- If you enjoy this grilled peach salad recipe, you may want to try my other recipes.
- VIDEO: COOK ALONG WITH ME
- Grilled Peach Salad
Why you will love this recipe
Summer on a plate – the sweetness, golden color, and fantastic flavor of the peaches, are what summer is all about.
Light dinner or side – this dish can be served alone for a light dinner or alongside all your barbecues this summer.
Budget-friendly – a refreshing dinner for a fraction of the cost.
Crowd-pleaser – is the perfect salad to bring to all your summer gatherings. The ingredients are easy to pack for camping.
Ingredients needed to make this recipe
This is a short introduction. The ingredient list is also brief. It includes essential items that you may already have in your pantry. Please read the recipe for complete instructions.
Olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and honey – are the three main ingredients used to create the honey vinaigrette. The honey sweetens the balsamic vinegar. You can use extra virgin olive oil if you wish.
Salt and black pepper – Taste your vinaigrette before seasoning it.
Peaches – are the star of this summer salad. Your peaches should be ripe but firm before placing them on the grill. If they are too soft, they will become even softer when grilling. Wash them well and slice them before pulling them away from the pit, which must be discarded.
Mixed green salad – any mixed green will work. I have added arugula to mine because I love the peppery flavor it adds to my salad.
Goat cheese – bring it to room temperature for easier pulling apart.
Red onion – shaved to the thinnest level possible, it gives your salad a great layer of flavor without overpowering the delicate peaches.
Equipment Needed
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Step by step on how to make this delicious salad with grilled peaches
With all my recipes, please assemble all the ingredients before cooking and baking.
Start by making the honey balsamic vinaigrette.
- Place olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a container, I used a measuring cup, and emulsify with a handheld blender. Set aside.
- If you do not have a handheld blender, use a mason jar with a tight lid and shake vigorously to obtain a creamy dressing.
Roasting your peaches
I have two methods for you: one with a grill plate over the stove, and the other under the broiler.
Grill pan:
- Place your grill pan over your stove on medium-high heat.
- Brush the pan with olive oil and place your peaches over the grill once it’s hot. Turn a couple of times. I got a couple of grill marks, but not on all my peaches.
- Once the peach quarters are soft, gently remove them with cooking tongs and set aside.
Broiler:
- Use a cookie sheet with the metal rack. Position your peach quarters over the rack and broil for a minute or until you can see the flesh softening. Turn once and set aside once done.
Assembling your peach salad with goat cheese
- Arrange a layer of the salad on a large salad plate.
- Place your peaches over them. Distribute small chunks or slices of the goat cheese over them, and sprinkle your red onion shavings over them.
- Give another whisk to your dressing and drizzle it over your salad plate, and serve.
Pro Tips
- I use a handheld mixer to create the vinaigrette, as it emulsifies it faster and renders it very creamy. Before adding it to your sliced peaches and salad, please give it a few quick whisks. The oil’s heaviness will break down once it sits for a few minutes.
- You can grill your peaches indoors with the help of a grill pan.
What dishes can you enjoy with this grilled peach salad?
This is such a versatile salad that it is perfect served alone for a light dinner.
We also paired it with our stuffed pork tenderloin, and the balance of flavors was quite eclectic and fun.
The breaded orange roughy is another excellent choice if you are in the mood for fish.
The quintessential chicken spatchcocked is great, as both dishes hold their own and do not overpower the flavors.
Variations and Substitutions
There is little that you can change to this recipe. Below are a few of my suggestions that we tried and loved.
Add fresh blackberries or small fresh strawberries.
If you like spinach, add some to your mix. Remove the stems and use baby spinach, which is softer to the bite.
I am a huge lover of all cheeses, that is the French in me, and goat cheese is way at the top of the list. With that said, this recipe also tastes amazing with crumbled feta cheese or creamy burrata cheese.
Want a bit of a crunch? Chop walnuts, pine nuts, or pistachios and add them to the balsamic dressing to soften lightly.
Storing and Reheating
Make ahead – You can prepare all the ingredients and grill the peaches at the last minute.
Store – Since the vinaigrette will “burn” the salad, i recommend storing any portions of your salad that have not been mixed with the dressing.
Freeze – Any leftover peaches can be frozen, vacuum-sealed if possible, and used in shakes later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I peel peaches before grilling?
No, you do not, as the peaches’ skin helps keep them intact when grilled, and they are softened. The skin also gently caramelizes when grilled, adding some extra flavor.
Which peaches are best for grilling?
Yellow peaches are excellent for grilling. Their firm flesh holds up well to the heat, while the grilling process brings out their natural sweetness and creates a delicious caramelized flavor.
What enhances peach flavor?
Lemon or orange, juice and zest. Warm spices such as ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and herbs such as basil, thyme, and rosemary. Balsamic vinegar works magic with the peaches.
If you enjoy this grilled peach salad recipe, you may want to try my other recipes.
VIDEO: COOK ALONG WITH ME
Grilled Peach Salad
Ingredients
For The Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- salt and pepper , to taste
Salad
- 4 yellow peaches, Wash them well, then cut them into quarters, and remove the pits
- 6 ounces mixed green salad
- 10 ounces goat cheese
- 3 tablespoons red onion , thinly shaved
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients for the vinaigrette in a bowl or tall glass, and emulsify the vinaigrette with a handheld blender. Set aside.
- Grill the peaches under a broiler or over a grill pan for a few minutes. They will soften and ensure that they will not overcook and fall apart.
- In a large salad plate, arrange a layer of the salad, add the peaches over it, and then the goat cheese in small slices or chunks over it. Sprinkle the shaved red onions over it.
- Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and serve.
Notes
- I use a handheld mixer to create the vinaigrette, as it emulsifies it faster and renders it very creamy. Give it a few quick whisks before adding it to your sliced peaches and salad. The oil’s heaviness will break down once it sits for a few minutes.
- You can grill your peaches indoors with the help of a grill pan.
Nutrition
Giangi’s Kitchen provides nutritional information, but these figures should be considered estimates, as a registered dietician does not calculate them.
- Course: Salads, Dinners
- Cuisine: French
- Season: Summer
- Type: Affordable Gourmet, Under 45 minutes
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