If you’re looking for a refreshing, colorful, and delightfully balanced dish, the Blueberry Peach Feta Salad Recipe is an absolute must-try. Bursting with sweet, tangy, and savory flavors, this salad brings together juicy peaches, vibrant blueberries, crisp cucumbers, and creamy feta cheese for a fresh and irresistible combination. Whether you’re serving it as a light lunch or a stunning side dish at your next gathering, this salad is sure to brighten any table and tantalize your taste buds with every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this salad plays a crucial role in its success, from the sweet fruit to the tangy cheese and bright basil. These simple yet fresh components come together effortlessly to create a dish that’s both nutritious and visually stunning.
- 1 pint fresh blueberries: Adds bursts of juicy sweetness and a pop of vibrant blue color.
- 2 peaches, diced: Offers tender, fragrant sweetness that complements the blueberries perfectly.
- 2 Persian cucumbers, sliced: Provides a crisp texture and cool freshness to balance the fruit’s softness.
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta: Brings a creamy, salty contrast that lifts the salad’s flavor profile.
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice: Delivers bright acidity that ties all elements together beautifully.
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard: Adds a hint of sharpness and depth to the vinaigrette.
- 1 tablespoon honey: Balances the tang with natural sweetness for a harmonious dressing.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: Provides smooth richness and helps meld the vinaigrette ingredients.
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped basil: Offers herbal freshness and a delightful aroma.
- Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste: Essential seasonings that enhance all the flavors.
How to Make Blueberry Peach Feta Salad Recipe
Step 1: Combine the Fresh Ingredients
Start by placing your blueberries, diced peaches, and sliced Persian cucumbers into a large serving bowl. Then sprinkle the creamy crumbled feta over the top. This mix of colors and textures already looks inviting and sets the stage for the delicious flavors to come.
Step 2: Whip Up the Vinaigrette
In a jar with a lid or a measuring cup, combine the fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, finely chopped basil, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. This dressing is where the magic happens, layering zesty, sweet, and herbal notes that will bring the salad to life.
Step 3: Mix the Dressing Thoroughly
Give your jar a good shake or whisk the ingredients together until the vinaigrette is perfectly emulsified. This ensures that every bite of salad gets a harmonious coating of flavors.
Step 4: Toss and Taste
Pour the vinaigrette over the fruit and feta mixture and gently toss everything together with care so the delicate fruit remains intact. Take a moment to taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed. Garnish with extra chopped basil for a fresh finish.
Step 5: Serve or Chill
You can serve this salad immediately to enjoy its crisp, fresh textures, or cover and refrigerate it for a short while before serving to let the flavors meld even further. Either way, it will be a crowd-pleaser.
How to Serve Blueberry Peach Feta Salad Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkling additional fresh basil leaves or a few whole blueberries and thin peach slices on top just before serving makes this salad look picture-perfect. A light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil can also add a subtle sheen and boost richness.
Side Dishes
This salad pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken or fish for a light and balanced meal. It also complements hearty grain bowls or can be served alongside crusty artisan bread for a satisfying lunch.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the Blueberry Peach Feta Salad Recipe in individual glass jars or on a bed of mixed greens for an elegant twist. Layering the ingredients slightly can give a beautiful visual appeal that’s perfect for potlucks or casual dinner parties.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Because of the fresh fruit and feta, it’s best enjoyed sooner rather than later to maintain its vibrant taste and texture.
Freezing
This salad is not suitable for freezing due to the delicate nature of the fresh fruits and feta cheese, which can lose their texture and flavor integrity upon thawing.
Reheating
Since this is a fresh, cold salad, reheating is not recommended. It’s always best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature for the bright, refreshing experience it delivers.
FAQs
Can I use frozen blueberries for this salad?
Fresh blueberries are ideal since they maintain their texture and sweetness better, but if you only have frozen, thaw them gently and drain any excess liquid before using.
What can I substitute for Persian cucumbers?
English cucumbers or regular cucumbers with the seeds removed work well. The key is to keep the cucumber slices thin and crisp to add that refreshing crunch.
Is there a vegan option for the feta cheese?
Absolutely! You can use plant-based feta alternatives or omit the cheese altogether and add toasted nuts like almonds or walnuts for extra texture and flavor.
Can I prepare the salad dressing in advance?
Yes, the vinaigrette can be made ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just give it a good shake before tossing it with the salad.
How do I keep the peaches from browning?
Using fresh lemon juice in the dressing helps prevent browning. Also, add the dressing soon after slicing the peaches to keep them looking vibrant.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about the Blueberry Peach Feta Salad Recipe that makes it a standout for every season when fresh produce is at its peak. Its ease, freshness, and burst of flavors will undoubtedly inspire you to keep coming back for more. So gather your ingredients, whip up this gorgeous salad, and enjoy the happy smiles it brings around your table!
Print
Blueberry Peach Feta Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This refreshing Blueberry Peach Feta Salad combines the sweetness of fresh blueberries and peaches with crisp cucumbers and tangy feta cheese, all brought together with a zesty lemon Dijon vinaigrette. Perfect for a light and healthy meal or side dish, this salad is vibrant, flavorful, and easy to prepare in just 15 minutes.
Ingredients
Fruits and Vegetables
- 1 pint fresh blueberries
- 2 peaches, diced
- 2 Persian cucumbers, sliced
Dairy
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Fresh ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Combine the main ingredients: In a large serving bowl, add the fresh blueberries, diced peaches, sliced Persian cucumbers, and crumbled feta cheese. Gently toss them together to mix evenly.
- Prepare the vinaigrette: In a jar with a lid or a measuring cup, combine the fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, finely chopped basil, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. This mixture will serve as the salad dressing.
- Mix the vinaigrette: Seal the jar or use a whisk in the measuring cup to shake or whisk the ingredients vigorously until the vinaigrette is well combined and emulsified.
- Toss the salad: Pour the prepared vinaigrette over the salad in the serving bowl. Gently mix everything together ensuring the fruit, cucumber, and feta are evenly coated. Taste the salad and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with extra fresh basil if desired.
- Serve or store: Serve the salad immediately for the freshest taste, or cover and refrigerate it until ready to serve. This salad holds well chilled, making it perfect for ahead-of-time preparation.
Notes
- For added crunch, consider topping the salad with toasted nuts like almonds or walnuts.
- The salad is best served fresh but can be stored refrigerated for up to 24 hours.
- To make this salad vegan, substitute the feta cheese with a plant-based cheese alternative or omit it entirely.
- Adjust the sweetness of the dressing by varying the amount of honey to your taste.
- Use ripe but firm peaches to avoid the salad becoming too mushy.
