Grilled Peach Salad
A bright summer salad with sweet grilled peaches and toasted pecans. This grilled peach salad is easy to put together, making it ideal for a summer party!
Grilling Fruit
What do you think of when you think about firing up the grill?
Do you think strictly meat, or will you throw anything over the coals?
We typically stick to meat or veggies, and the occasional foil pack if we're camping, but never fruit.
I'll be honest, Tim does all of the grilling around here. I'm slowly getting more comfortable from helping him, but it's still mostly his gig.
There's just something manly about standing over a fire with a sizzling hunk of meat.
And, lets face it, grilling fruit isn't particularly manly.
It's like the big burly guy who orders a Cosmo at the bar. There's nothing wrong with it in the slightest, but social assumptions make you do a double take.
Our Grilled Peach Salad Recipe
If there's a man typically tending your grill, you may have to sneak these peaches next to the ribs and burgers, but let me tell you, the smoky peach pie scent that these babies give off when they're good and ready is enough to convince anyone that fruit has a place above the coals.
(I mean, come on, there's always an empty corner or two and slow, indirect heating works quite well to caramelize the sugars. Why not put the whole grill to good use?)
This salad makes use of these soft and juicy peaches, with toasted pecans, a light cheese, and a bright vinaigrette dressing.
It is a good salad for a get-together, because the parts can be made separately (toasting the nuts and making the dressing) before hand. Then, while the burgers are going, you can steal a corner for the fruit.
The peaches will typically cook faster than the meat, giving you time to chop the fruit and throw a fresh salad together for dinner.
Grilled Peach Salad
Ingredients
- 2 peaches
- ⅔ c pecans
- 6 c leaf lettuce (romaine, spinach, arugula, etc), washed
- ½ c fresh basil, washed and chopped
- ⅔ c mozzarella cheese, shredded
For the Dressing
- ¼ c white wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the grill.
- Wash, pit, and half the peaches. Place flesh-side down on the grill. The heat should be moderate, and the peaches should not be placed directly over any of the grill’s hot spots. Cover, and grill peaches until soft (10-12 min). When the peaches are done, remove from the grill and allow to cool to touch.
- While the peaches are grilling, heat a medium, non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Place pecans in dry pan and toast until fragrant (3-5 min), stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let cool once toasted.
- In a small bowl whisk together dressing ingredients and set aside.
- Chop lettuce into bite sized pieces and place in a large serving bowl. Toss with basil and cheese.
- Dice cooled peaches, and add to the lettuce mixture.
- Pour dressing over salad, and toss to coat.
- Coarsely chop the toasted pecans and sprinkle over top of the salad.
- Serve immediately, or refrigerate for up to 24 hours before serving.
Nutrition
Sarah founded Curious in 2010 as a way to save her recipe creations and share culinary experiences. Her love for cultural cuisines was instilled early by her French Canadian Grandmother. Her experience in the kitchen and in recipe development comes from over 10 years working in professional kitchens. She has traveled extensively and enjoys bringing the flavors of her travels back to create easy-to-make recipes.
Your lovely post makes me smile, Sarah...There is something humorous about a burly man ordering a Cosmo at a bar..Your peaches caramelized on the grill and tossed into salad does seem like perfection on a plate!
😉 Too funny... I think my man would feel the same way about grilling peaches! What a fantastic recipe... so fresh and full of all my favorite ingredients. Also love that you added so much basil!
Love the idea of the smokey peach pie scent in my salad!
I love grilled peaches and this salad sounds delightful!
You had me at peaches, then made me drool with grilled. 😀
I love love love grilled peaches! Yum!
I fire up the grill for just about anything. Meats, veggies, fruits, seafood, etc.
Grilled peaches in the salad is simply yummy! Perfect summer salad.
Never thought to grill peaches! Great idea
I'll throw nearly anything on the grill! Peaches included! I'm inspired to throw some on the grill before summer is technically over at the end of September!
Such a marvelous salad! Grilling peaches makes them even more extraordinary!!!
I love grilling peaches! I did a grilled peach salad recently with jalapeno vinaigrette and goat cheese... so good. The sweetness of the peaches is really unexpected in the salad... but in a good way!
Ooh, the Jalapeno Vinaigrette sounds really interesting. I bet it would be great with the sweetness of the peaches!
I want to live on grilled peaches but I never thought to add them to a salad. This looks amazing and your dressing sounds fabulous!
I've never grilled peaches, but I think I may need to give them a try.
Love this salad. Grilling peaches has been on my to-do list all summer long. You've inspired me to get it done!
Thank you for participating this week! I love the color the peaches add to the salad.
Thanks for hosting!