Get ready to fall in love with the perfect taste of summer! This Summer Peach Salad with Spinach, Blueberries, and Feta Cheese brings together juicy peaches, fresh blueberries, creamy feta, and toasted pine nuts atop a bed of tender spinach, all drizzled in a zesty homemade honey-mustard dressing. It’s a vibrant, flavor-packed salad that’s as satisfying as it is stunning on the table.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A Celebration of Summer Produce: Every bite captures the very best flavors of the season—sun-ripened peaches and plump blueberries mingle in the most refreshing way.
- Effortlessly Elegant: This Summer Peach Salad with Spinach, Blueberries, and Feta Cheese is a showstopper that’s easy enough for lunch, but beautiful and impressive enough for a special gathering.
- Balanced Sweet & Savory: Creamy feta, buttery pine nuts, and tangy honey-mustard dressing perfectly contrast the sweet fruits and fresh greens for crave-worthy flavor in every forkful.
- Quick to Prepare: From start to finish, you can whip up this salad in just 15 minutes—so you spend less time in the kitchen and more time soaking up summer!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This salad keeps things simple, letting each ingredient truly shine. Everything plays its part—sweet, tart, creamy, crunchy—to deliver that signature Summer Peach Salad with Spinach, Blueberries, and Feta Cheese flavor and irresistible texture. Here’s what you’ll need and why it matters:
- Fresh baby spinach: The tender, mild leaves are the perfect base, letting the fruity and tangy toppings pop.
- Ripe peaches: Sliced and juicy, their delicate sweetness becomes the true star of this salad.
- Blueberries: Their tiny bursts add bright color, juicy tartness, and plenty of antioxidants!
- Feta cheese: Salty, creamy, and crumbly—its tang balances out the fruit beautifully.
- Pine nuts: Toasted lightly to bring out their aromatic, buttery crunch—do not skip this step for texture.
- Extra virgin olive oil: The foundation for your luscious homemade dressing.
- Dijon mustard: Gives the dressing its gentle, sophisticated kick.
- Honey: Adds mellow sweetness to round out the sharpness of lemon and mustard.
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice: Brightens and ties the whole dressing together with a citrusy zing.
Variations
The beauty of this Summer Peach Salad with Spinach, Blueberries, and Feta Cheese is how easily you can make it your own! Whether you want to swap an ingredient, adjust for dietary needs, or shake things up with a bold twist, here are some fun ways to customize your salad:
- Goat cheese swap: Try creamy, tangy goat cheese for an earthier flavor in place of feta.
- Nut-free crunch: Use toasted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for a nut-free, allergy-friendly crunch.
- Make it vegan: Substitute plant-based feta and maple syrup for the cheese and honey—the flavors are still amazing!
- Add protein: Top with grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas to turn your salad into a hearty, satisfying meal.
- Switch up the greens: Baby arugula or mixed spring greens add a lovely peppery bite.
How to Make Summer Peach Salad with Spinach, Blueberries, and Feta Cheese
Step 1: Whip Up the Dressing
Start by combining extra virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, and freshly squeezed lemon juice in a mason jar or small bowl. Whisk vigorously with a fork until you see the dressing thicken and turn glossy—this means it’s beautifully emulsified! Taste and adjust with a little extra honey or mustard if you want things sweeter or tangier.
Step 2: Toast the Pine Nuts
Pop your pine nuts onto a baking sheet and toast them in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes. Watch them like a hawk—they go from golden and fragrant to burnt in a flash! Once perfectly toasted, set them aside to cool.
Step 3: Assemble the Salad
In a large serving bowl (or individual bowls, if you’re feeling fancy), layer baby spinach, vibrant peach slices, those juicy blueberries, and creamy crumbled feta. Pour the honey-mustard dressing over the top, then gently toss everything together until the greens glisten and the toppings are evenly mixed.
Step 4: Finish and Serve
Scatter your toasted pine nuts over the top for a dreamy nutty crunch. Serve immediately, while everything’s crisp and fresh, and get ready for rave reviews!
Pro Tips for Making Summer Peach Salad with Spinach, Blueberries, and Feta Cheese
- Peach Perfection: Choose peaches that are firm yet fragrant with just a bit of give—they’ll hold their shape in the salad and taste delightfully sweet.
- Dressing on the Side for Make-Ahead: If prepping in advance, keep the dressing separate until serving time to prevent the spinach from wilting.
- Cool the Pine Nuts: Let toasted pine nuts cool completely before adding—they’ll stay extra crisp and won’t steam your greens.
- Combine Gently: To keep the peaches intact and the spinach perky, toss the salad softly just until combined right before serving.
How to Serve Summer Peach Salad with Spinach, Blueberries, and Feta Cheese
Garnishes
Elevate the look and flavor of this salad by sprinkling on a bit of freshly cracked black pepper or a handful of extra crumbled feta just before serving. For a pop of color and aroma, scatter a few torn fresh mint leaves or basil ribbons over the top. They add that last flourish to your Summer Peach Salad with Spinach, Blueberries, and Feta Cheese.
Side Dishes
This salad makes an endlessly versatile side dish! Pair it with grilled chicken, fresh seafood, or a simple charcuterie board for a light summer meal. It’s also lovely with crusty bread or a chilled pasta for a picnic-perfect spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Try building individual salads in large mason jars—layers of ingredients look stunning and are easy to transport for picnics or work lunches. Or, arrange everything on a big platter with the dressing drizzled artistically for a family-style statement centerpiece that’ll have everyone swooning.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store the undressed salad and dressing separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 2 days. This keeps the spinach from getting soggy and the flavors at their best.
Freezing
Freezing isn’t recommended for this salad, as fresh spinach, peaches, and feta all lose their texture after thawing. Instead, enjoy Summer Peach Salad with Spinach, Blueberries, and Feta Cheese freshly made for maximum flavor and crunch!
Reheating
This salad is best served chilled or at room temperature—no reheating required. If it’s been refrigerated, just let it sit out for a few minutes before serving to take the chill off and allow the flavors to shine.
FAQs
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Can I use canned or frozen peaches for this salad?
While fresh peaches are truly best for this Summer Peach Salad with Spinach, Blueberries, and Feta Cheese, you can use well-drained canned peaches in a pinch. Frozen peaches tend to become mushy once thawed, so fresh is always recommended for the best texture and taste.
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What other cheese works if I don’t have feta?
Goat cheese, gorgonzola, or even fresh mozzarella all make tasty swaps! Each brings its own unique flavor and creaminess to the salad, allowing for delicious variation.
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Can I make this salad ahead of time for a party?
Absolutely! Assemble all the ingredients except the dressing and pine nuts up to a few hours ahead. Right before serving, add the dressing and pine nuts—this keeps everything fresh and crunchy.
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Is this salad gluten-free?
Yes! The Summer Peach Salad with Spinach, Blueberries, and Feta Cheese is naturally gluten-free, provided you check that your Dijon mustard is certified gluten-free.
Final Thoughts
I hope you adore this Summer Peach Salad with Spinach, Blueberries, and Feta Cheese as much as I do! It’s sunshine in a bowl—easy, colorful, and bursting with refreshing summer flavors. If you give it a try, let me know how you made it your own, and don’t be surprised when everyone asks for seconds!
Print
Summer Peach Salad with Spinach, Blueberries, and Feta Cheese Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Enjoy the freshness of summer with this delightful Peach Salad featuring the sweetness of peaches, the tartness of blueberries, and the creaminess of Feta cheese, all tossed in a tangy vinaigrette.
Ingredients
Salad dressing
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Salad ingredients
- 5 oz fresh baby spinach
- 2 medium peaches, cored and sliced
- 6 oz blueberries
- 4 oz Feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/3 cup pine nuts, toasted
Instructions
- Make salad dressing: Combine olive oil, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and honey in a mason jar. Whisk well with a fork for a minute or 2 until emulsified. Adjust sweetness or tanginess to taste.
- Assembly: In a large serving bowl, combine spinach, sliced peaches, blueberries, and crumbled Feta cheese. Add the salad dressing and toss gently to combine. Top with toasted pine nuts.
Notes
- Toast pine nuts for about 5 minutes in a preheated oven at 350°F, watching them closely to prevent burning.
- Feel free to substitute Feta cheese with goat cheese or gorgonzola for a different flavor profile.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 389 kcal
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 445mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
