Arugula Peach Goat Cheese Salad
Arugula peach goat cheese salad has the perfect blend of flavors and textures. Peppery arugula, fresh juicy peaches, crunchy pistachios, and creamy goat cheese are tossed in a lemon dressing for a simple and refreshing salad that is the perfect summertime salad.
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Simple and Savory
Try our arugula and fig salad if you like this one.
Whether enjoyed as a light lunch or a refreshing side dish, this fresh peach salad is a salad that everyone will love. It’s bursting with sweet, tangy and earthy flavors.
🤍Why you will love this recipe
- It’s easy to make with a few ingredients and simple steps.
- Flavor! This salad is packed with the flavors of summer from sweet peaches to zesty arugula.
Here is What You Will Need
This is an overview of the ingredients and steps to make this delicious salad recipe; scroll down for a printable recipe card with exact measurements and detailed instructions.
This post may contain affiliate links. I earn a small commission if products are purchased through links at no additional charge to you.
🛒Ingredients
- Baby arugula
- Shelled roasted pistachios
- Fresh peaches
- Fresh goat cheese
- Fresh lemon juice
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Maple syrup or honey
- Dijon mustard
- Sea salt and black pepper (optional to taste)
🥄Equipment
- Small jar to mix up the dressing (optional)
- Citrus juicer (optional and will make your life easier)
- Large salad bowl
How to make arugula goat cheese salad
Prepare the ingredients: Rinse and dry the arugula and peaches. Slice the peaches, and mix up the salad dressing ingredients in a small bowl or jar.
STEP 1: Place arugula and sliced peaches into a salad bowl.
STEP 2: Add the pistachios and goat cheese.
STEP 3: Add the goat cheese crumbles and half of the dressing. Gently combine arugula and peaches with the nuts and chees. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.
Ingredient Notes
The complete list of ingredients to make this simple summer salad is above. Below are notes about some of the ingredients and ideas for substitutes.
Baby arugula has tender, petite leaves with a peppery flavor and it is not as strong as mature arugula. Either version of arugula (baby or mature) can be used to make this salad, though baby arugula is more common in salads due to its milder flavor and tender texture.
Spinach or field greens can be used as substitutes for this salad.
Pistachios add a nice crunch to this delicious salad and can be substituted with toasted chopped almonds.
Lemon juice can be replaced with white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar for a slightly tangy dressing.
Goat cheese in this recipe adds a nice creamy texture and can be replaced with your favorite cow’s milk cheese such as feta cheese, blue cheese, shaved parmesan or baby mozzarella balls.
Serving suggestions
This peppery arugula salad with peaches is the perfect side dish to serve with cilantro lime shrimp or pasta with homemade bolognese sauce. It also tastes great as a main dish topped with grilled chicken, shrimp or salmon.
Make it ahead of time
Make dressing and store it in the refrigerator for up to four days. One day before serving the salad, prepare the peaches, store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container, and store the arugula in a separate bowl.
About 10 to 20 minutes before serving, remove the dressing from the refrigerator, put the salad together by combining the peaches and arugula in a bowl, and add the pistachios and crumbled cheese. Toss in the dressing and serve.
How to store leftovers
Even though this simple arugula salad tastes best when is freshly made, leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one day. You may need to add a little bit of dressing or plain olive oil and toss it together.
Recipe variations
Vegan arugula salad –leave the cheese out or substitute goat cheese with vegan cheese.
Change the fruit, and use fresh seasonal fruit such as figs, Asian pear, or apples.
Zesty arugula salad – add sliced red onion to the salad and replace the pistachios with spicy pecans or candied pecans.
💡Tips
- For a refreshing salad, pour a small amount of dressing on the salad, and serve the remaining dressing on the side.
- Choose perfectly ripe peaches as they will provide the best flavor and sweetness to this salad.
- Use good quality, creamy and tangy goat cheese which will enhance the flavor of the salad.
It’s up to you. Peach skin is high in fiber and antioxidants which will provide the greatest health benefits. But if you don’t care for the texture of peach skin, peel it off with a paring knife.
Ripe peaches will smell sweet, have a dark yellow color and will have some give to them when gently pressed.
While fresh is the best option for this salad, you can use frozen peach slices. Be sure to thaw them and pat them dry with a towel before adding to the salad. Keep in mind that the flavor and texture will not be the same as fresh peaches.
Absolutely! Cut the peaches in half, brush them with oil, and grill them over medium-high heat for a few minutes until grill marks form. Remove them from the grill and allow them to cool off to room temperature and add them to the salad.
Are you too tired to cook dinner?
If you’re feeling uninspired when it’s time to cook dinner, this free guide will help you make a quick and healthy dinner with ingredients you have in your kitchen.
You might also like these summer salads
- Greek Pasta Salad
- Summer Cucumber Salad with Blueberries
- Asian Pasta Salad with Chicken
- Greek Chopped Salad
Do you like this recipe?
Please comment and give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below!
Click on serving size to scale this recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups baby arugula
- 2 peaches sliced or diced
- 1/4 cup goat cheese crumbled
- 1/4 cup shelled pistachios
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Make the dressing by whisking in a bowl or shaking in a jar 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice, 1 teaspoon maple syrup , 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard.
- Place 2 cups baby arugula, 2 peaches (sliced) 1/4 cup goat cheese , 1/4 cup shelled pistachios in a salad bowl
- Pour enough dressing over the salad so that all of the ingredients are coated and serve with extra dressing on the side.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and can vary based on cooking methods and ingredients used
Sign Up for Easy Recipes Straight in Your In-Box!
I made this salad last weekend, and it was a hit. So easy to make and tasty too! I might try a different cheese the next time I make it.
It’s easy and I’ve never had anyone not like it.
I’m glad you like it Christine!