Blueberry Peach Feta Salad
Let’s talk about summer in a bowl! I remember the first time I made this salad. It was for a last-minute backyard get-together, and I just threw together what I had. The sweet peaches, the juicy blueberries, and the salty feta cheese were a match made in heaven.
This blueberry peach feta salad is now my go-to dish for every sunny day. It’s so simple, so fresh, and it looks absolutely beautiful on the table.
You are going to love how quickly this colorful and delicious salad comes together. It’s pure sunshine!
Why You’ll Love This Blueberry Peach Feta Salad
This salad is the definition of easy-breezy! You’ll love it because it’s incredibly quick to make—we’re talking minutes, my friend.
The flavors are an amazing mix of sweet fruit and savory, salty cheese. It’s a light and refreshing dish that won’t weigh you down. Plus, it’s a total showstopper at any BBQ or potluck.
If you love fresh summer salads like this, you should also try my Peach Burrata Salad and Watermelon Cucumber Feta Salad.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Fresh blueberries: These little gems add a burst of sweet and tangy flavor.
- Peaches: I use juicy, ripe peaches, diced for a sweet, summery taste.
- Persian cucumbers: I love these because their thin skin means no peeling is needed!
- Crumbled feta: This adds a wonderful creamy and salty kick to the salad.
- Fresh lemon juice: It provides the perfect zesty base for our simple dressing.
- Dijon mustard: This gives our vinaigrette a little tang and helps it mix well.
- Honey: A touch of honey perfectly balances the zesty lemon juice.
- Olive oil: I use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for flavor.
- Finely chopped basil: This adds a fresh, sweet, and peppery aroma to every bite.
How to Make Blueberry Peach Feta Salad
This salad is SO easy to put together. Just mix the dressing, toss the salad ingredients, and you’re ready to serve!
Step 1: Make the Lemon Vinaigrette
First, let’s make the dressing. In a small bowl, you’ll whisk together 3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, and 1 teaspoon honey. Add a pinch of salt and pepper and whisk until it’s all blended together.
Step 2: Combine the Fruits and Cucumber
Next, grab your large mixing bowl. Gently add 2 cups fresh blueberries, 2 diced peaches, and 2 sliced Persian cucumbers to the bowl. Sprinkle in 2 tablespoons finely chopped basil. Give it a gentle toss to mix them up.
Step 3: Dress and Toss the Salad
Now, pour the vinaigrette over the fruit and cucumber mixture in the big bowl. Use a large spoon to gently toss everything together until it’s lightly coated. You don’t want to overmix it and bruise the beautiful fruit.
Step 4: Add Feta and Serve
Finally, sprinkle ½ cup of crumbled feta cheese over the top of the salad right before you serve it. This keeps the cheese from getting too soggy. Give it one last gentle stir, and it’s ready to EAT!
Tips for the Best Blueberry Peach Feta Salad
Want to make this salad perfect? Here are a few of my favorite little tricks and tips.
- Use ripe fruit. For the best flavor, make sure your peaches are ripe but still a little firm.
- Chill before serving. I love to pop this salad in the fridge for about 15 minutes before serving.
- Fresh basil is key. Dried basil just won’t be the same; fresh basil adds SO MUCH flavor.
- Don’t dress it too early. Only add the dressing right before you’re ready to eat to keep everything crisp.
- Go easy on the toss. Gently fold the ingredients together to avoid mashing the soft fruit and cheese.
- Taste and adjust. Always taste your dressing and the final salad, and add more salt or honey if needed.
Variations and Substitutions
Feel like mixing things up? Here are a few fun ideas to make this salad your own creation.
- Try different cheeses. If you’re not a fan of feta, goat cheese, or even small mozzarella balls would be delicious.
- Add some greens. Toss in a handful of fresh arugula or spinach for a peppery bite and extra nutrients.
- Bring on the crunch. Toasted pecans, walnuts, or sliced almonds would add a wonderful, nutty crunch.
- Swap the fruit. This salad is also amazing with nectarines, plums, or even strawberries instead of peaches.
- Use another herb. Don’t have basil? Fresh mint would be a super refreshing and tasty substitute.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
This salad is best when it’s fresh, but you can definitely do some prep ahead of time to make life easier!
You can chop the peaches and cucumbers and whisk the vinaigrette a day in advance. Just be sure to store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator.
When you’re ready to serve, toss it all together with the blueberries, basil, and feta. If you have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a day, but the salad will get a bit softer.
FAQs
What to serve with this salad?
This salad is fantastic with grilled chicken, fish, or pork chops! It also makes a wonderful light lunch all on its own. For a sweet treat afterward, my Apple Blueberry Crumble would be a perfect dessert pairing.
Can I use frozen blueberries?
You can, but fresh is best for texture! If you use frozen blueberries, let them thaw completely and drain any extra liquid before adding them to the salad so it doesn’t get watery.
Can I use canned peaches?
I recommend using fresh peaches for the best taste and texture. Canned peaches can be a bit too soft and syrupy for this salad, which might make it a little mushy.
How do I make this salad vegan?
It’s super easy! Just swap the feta cheese for a dairy-free feta alternative. You will also want to use maple syrup instead of honey in the dressing to make it completely vegan.
Can I add protein to this salad?
Yes, absolutely! Grilled chicken or shrimp would be a wonderful addition to make this a more filling main course. You could also add a can of chickpeas for a great plant-based protein boost.
Blueberry Peach Feta Salad
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 2 cups fresh blueberries
- 2 ripe peaches (diced)
- 2 Persian cucumber (thinly sliced)
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
For the Vinaigrette
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Kosher salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Make the vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, and 1 tsp honey until blended.
- Combine salad ingredients: In a large bowl, gently combine 2 cup fresh blueberries, 2 diced peaches, 2 sliced Persian cucumbers, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil.
- Dress the salad: Pour the prepared vinaigrette over the salad ingredients, and gently toss everything together until it is lightly and evenly coated in the dressing.
- Add Feta and serve: Just before serving, sprinkle ½ cup crumbled feta cheese over the top. Give the salad one final gentle toss and serve immediately.
Notes
- For best results, use the freshest, ripest fruit you can find.
- Store the dressing and salad separately if making ahead of time.
- Feel free to add toasted nuts like pecans for extra crunch.
- Arugula or spinach can be added for a heartier green salad.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to one day.
