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.
This salad is right up my alley! I have never tried grilling peaches, but I'm going to have to try. This looks delicious!
I've never grilled peaches myself, but I see that all the time--this salad sounds like an awesome combination!
Grilled peaches and so many other fruits adds such a delicious flavor twist that I always enjoy! Peaches are just about the best in my opinion though! Great salad!
Grilling fruit brings out such good flavor!
Peaches are so fabulous in salad and if I had a grill, first not only would I be manning it I'd be tossing those peaches alongside my ribs and burgers!
Love grilled peaches and this salad looks so so delicious!I love grilling fruits and they bring out so much flavor!!
I still haven't tried grilled peaches but I need to get on it! This salad looks delicious!
Mm... I love fruit in my salads. It's always a great touch 🙂
I'm always looking to grill something other than meat, but have never thought to grill peaches before. This salad looks beautiful, and I'm sure the grilled peaches add a wonderful flavor.
Grilling peaches is THE BEST! Ive even convinced my husband to do it when he grills. And they're great on so many things too. I bet they make this salad amazing!
I've never tried grilling peaches, but you've convinced me to try
Great salad, grilled peach are the best.