Peachy Feta Bliss

Peach Feta Salad stands out as the quintessential summer dish, offering a delightful medley of flavors and textures. This vibrant salad combines the succulent sweetness of juicy peaches, the satisfying crunch of perfectly grilled corn, the creamy richness of avocado, and the tangy bite of crumbled feta cheese, all harmonized by an amazing, zesty citrus dressing. It’s a refreshing, easy-to-make recipe that promises to be a staple for your warm-weather gatherings.

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From the Author: Why This Peach Feta Salad is a Summer Vibe

This Peach Feta Salad isn’t just a recipe; it’s practically my summer dream encapsulated in a bowl. It brings together all the ingredients I absolutely adore when the weather warms up: the unparalleled sweetness of fresh peaches, the satisfying texture of grilled corn, and the bright notes of fresh basil. To make it even more irresistible, I incorporated two staples that are constantly in my kitchen: creamy avocado and crisp cucumber.

The final, crucial touch came from adapting the bright citrus dressing I’ve been obsessing over from my strawberry salad. I had a strong feeling I would enjoy this new creation, but honestly, I was completely unprepared for its sheer deliciousness. The very first time I made it, I found myself eating the entire bowl – yes, every last bite! Since that initial moment of pure bliss, I’ve whipped up this salad countless times. And yes, I’ve eventually learned to share, but not without a healthy dose of temptation.

This Peach Feta Salad is everything you could want in a summer dish: it’s incredibly fresh, wonderfully bright, delightfully creamy, satisfyingly crunchy, and utterly bursting with flavor. To experience this salad at its peak, make sure to use the ripest, most fragrant peaches you can find and enjoy it immediately after preparing. Don’t let the summer season pass you by without making this sensational salad!

Why You’ll Adore This Peach Feta Salad

There are countless reasons why this Peach Feta Salad will become your go-to recipe this season. It’s more than just a blend of ingredients; it’s an experience:

• A Celebration of Summer Flavors: This salad truly shines with seasonal produce. When peaches are at their peak, bursting with natural sweetness, and corn is fresh off the cob, this recipe allows their natural flavors to take center stage.
• Harmonious Balance of Tastes: Every bite offers a perfect equilibrium of sweet peaches, savory feta, smoky grilled corn, and the tangy, bright dressing. It’s a complex flavor profile that remains incredibly refreshing.
• Exciting Textural Variety: From the juicy tenderness of peaches and avocado to the crispness of corn and cucumber, topped with crumbly feta, this salad provides a delightful interplay of textures that keeps each forkful interesting.
• Visually Stunning: The vibrant colors of peaches, corn, avocado, basil, and feta make this salad a feast for the eyes, perfect for impressing guests or brightening up your mealtime.
• Effortlessly Elegant: Despite its gourmet appearance and rich flavors, this salad is surprisingly simple to assemble, making it ideal for busy weeknights or relaxed weekend entertaining.
• Wholesome and Refreshing: Packed with fresh fruits and vegetables, it’s a light yet satisfying meal that nourishes your body while keeping you cool and energized on warm days.

Peach Feta Salad Ingredients Breakdown: The Heart of the Flavor

Each ingredient in this salad plays a vital role, contributing to its unique character and making it an unforgettable culinary experience. Understanding the function and selection of each component will help you create the perfect Peach Feta Salad every time.

For the Salad Base:

• Grilled Corn: This isn’t just any corn; grilling it transforms its flavor, adding a smoky depth and caramelized sweetness that complements the peaches beautifully. Ensure the corn cools completely after grilling before you cut off the kernels. This prevents wilting of the other fresh components and maintains a crisp texture. About 3 ears of corn typically yield 2 cups of kernels.
• Diced Cucumber: For maximum freshness and a pleasant crunch, we recommend using Persian cucumbers. Their thin skins mean no peeling is necessary, and their mild flavor provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the avocado and the sweetness of the peaches. Dice them into small, uniform pieces for an even distribution throughout the salad.
• Fresh Peaches: The star ingredient! The success of this salad hinges on ripe, juicy peaches. Look for fruit that has a fragrant aroma and gives slightly when gently pressed. While you can peel them if you prefer a smoother texture, leaving the skin on adds a rustic appeal and extra fiber. Aim for about 1-1/2 cups of diced peaches, which is typically 2-3 medium-sized fruits.
• Diced Avocado: This adds a luxurious creaminess and healthy fats, balancing the crispness of the other vegetables. To prevent unsightly browning, it’s crucial to dice your avocado just before you are ready to assemble and serve the salad. A perfectly ripe avocado will have dark skin and feel slightly soft.
• Thinly Sliced Basil Leaves: Fresh herbs are essential for bright flavor. Basil, with its sweet and slightly peppery notes, pairs wonderfully with peaches and feta. Thinly slicing or chiffonading the leaves helps distribute its aromatic flavor evenly without overwhelming the salad.
• Crumbled Feta Cheese: The tangy, salty, and slightly briny flavor of feta is non-negotiable for this salad. Its crumbly texture adds another layer of interest. Add it right before serving to maintain its integrity. If you’re looking for a delightful alternative, consider swapping it for rich and creamy goat cheese crumbles for a slightly different savory profile.

For the Zesty Citrus Dressing:

This vibrant dressing is the crucial element that binds all the incredible flavors of the Peach Feta Salad together, enhancing each ingredient with its bright and tangy character.

• Clementines: We utilize both the zest and the juice from two clementines. The zest carries potent essential oils, delivering a concentrated burst of citrus aroma, while the juice provides a sweet and tangy base for the dressing. You’ll need approximately 1 teaspoon of zest and 2 tablespoons of juice.
• Lemon: Complementing the clementine, fresh lemon adds another layer of bright acidity. Use both 1/2 teaspoon of its zest and 1 tablespoon of its juice for a truly multi-dimensional citrus flavor.
• Honey: A touch of honey is added to balance the sharpness of the citrus and to subtly highlight the natural sweetness of the peaches. This creates a beautifully rounded and palatable dressing.
• Dijon-Style Mustard: More than just for flavor, Dijon mustard acts as a natural emulsifier, helping the oil and citrus juices to combine into a smooth, cohesive dressing that clings perfectly to the salad ingredients. It also lends a subtle, sophisticated tang.
• Salt: A fundamental seasoning that brings out and amplifies all the other flavors in the dressing, and consequently, the entire salad.
• Olive Oil: Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil as the base for your dressing. It contributes a silky texture and a fruity, sometimes peppery, undertone that enriches the overall flavor profile.

Expert Tips for Crafting the Perfect Peach Feta Salad

While this salad is straightforward to make, a few key tips can elevate your Peach Feta Salad from good to absolutely extraordinary:

• Prioritize Peak-Season Produce: The fresher and riper your peaches and corn, the better your salad will taste. Visit your local farmer’s market during summer for the best selection. Ripe peaches are fragrant and slightly soft.
• Chill Your Grilled Corn: It’s essential that the grilled corn kernels are completely cooled before mixing them into the salad. Adding warm corn can cause the delicate basil and avocado to wilt, compromising the fresh texture and appearance of the dish.
• Dice Avocado Right Before Serving: Avocados are prone to browning once cut and exposed to air. To maintain their vibrant green color and fresh appeal, dice them at the very last minute, just before you’re ready to combine all the salad ingredients.
• Dress to Taste: The citrus dressing is potent and delicious, but you might not need to use all of it. Start by adding about two-thirds of the dressing, toss gently, and then taste. Add more if desired, ensuring the salad is lightly coated and not drowning in dressing. This allows the individual flavors of the ingredients to shine.
• Serve Immediately for Best Results: While leftovers are still tasty, this salad is truly at its freshest and most vibrant when enjoyed on the same day it’s prepared. The crispness of the cucumber, the tenderness of the peaches, and the bright flavors of the herbs are all at their peak immediately after assembly.
• Uniform Dicing for Consistency: Try to dice your peaches, cucumbers, and avocado into similar-sized pieces. This ensures that every forkful offers a balanced blend of ingredients and textures.

Serving Your Peach Feta Salad: Versatility for Every Occasion

This Peach Feta Salad is incredibly versatile, making it suitable for a wide array of dining occasions. Its refreshing profile can complement various main courses or shine as a standalone dish.

• As a Light Main Course: Enjoy a generous portion of this salad for a satisfying and healthy lunch, especially on warm days. The combination of fruits, vegetables, and feta makes it surprisingly filling.
• Perfect BBQ or Potluck Side: Forget the heavy potato salads! This vibrant and light salad is an ideal side dish for any backyard barbecue, summer picnic, or potluck. It offers a refreshing contrast to grilled meats and richer dishes.
• Paired with Grilled Proteins: For a complete and balanced meal, serve the Peach Feta Salad alongside your favorite grilled proteins. It beautifully complements grilled chicken, flaky white fish, or succulent shrimp, adding a burst of freshness and tang.
• Elegant Brunch Addition: Add a touch of sophistication and color to your brunch spread. Its fresh and bright flavors are a wonderful counterpoint to classic brunch items.
• Appetizer or Starter: Serve smaller portions in individual cups or on small plates as a delightful and refreshing appetizer to kick off a meal.

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5 from 1 vote

Peach Feta Salad

By
Chelsea Lords

This refreshing Peach Feta Salad is a vibrant summer dish featuring juicy peaches, crunchy grilled corn, creamy avocado, and a bright citrus dressing. Perfect as a side or light meal.

Prep Time:
20 minutes

Grill Corn:
12 minutes

Total Time:
32 minutes

Servings:
6 as a side

Recipe Video

Watch a video tutorial for this delicious Peach Feta Salad to guide you through each step:

Click here to view the Peach Feta Salad video.

Equipment

• Large Bowl
• Small Blender or Whisk
• Grill or Grill Pan

Ingredients

For the Salad:

• 3 ears corn on the cob, grilled (see Note 1, yields about 2 cups kernels)
• 1 cup diced cucumber (about 3-4 Persian cucumbers)
• 1-1/2 cups diced fresh peaches (2-3 medium peaches; peel if desired)
• 1 small avocado, diced
• 8 basil leaves, thinly sliced (chiffonade)
• Crumbled feta cheese, to taste

For the Citrus Dressing:

• 2 clementines (1 tsp zest; 2 tbsp juice)
• 1 lemon (1/2 tsp zest; 1 tbsp juice)
• 1-1/4 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup olive oil

Instructions

1. 1. Prepare the Citrus Dressing: Gather all the dressing ingredients. In a small blender jar, or a bowl with a whisk, combine the clementine zest and juice, lemon zest and juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and olive oil. Blend until the mixture is smooth and emulsified. Be careful not to over-blend. Transfer the dressing to a mason jar and store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to assemble the salad.
2. 2. Assemble the Salad: Ensure your grilled corn has completely cooled as per Note 1. Carefully slice the kernels off the cobs and place them into a large mixing bowl. Add the diced cucumber, diced fresh peaches, diced avocado, and thinly sliced basil to the bowl. Drizzle with the prepared citrus dressing, adding it gradually to taste (you may not need all of it). Gently toss all the ingredients together until everything is well combined and lightly coated with dressing. Taste the salad and adjust any seasonings or add more dressing if needed. Serve immediately, garnishing individual plates with crumbled feta cheese right before serving for optimal freshness and texture.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: How to Grill Corn: To achieve delicious, lightly charred corn for your salad, preheat your grill to medium-high heat, targeting approximately 400°F (200°C). Begin by removing the husks and silk from the corn cobs. Lightly rub each ear with olive oil, then season generously with salt and pepper. Place the corn directly on the hot grill grates and cook for 10 to 12 minutes. Be sure to turn the cobs every 3 minutes to ensure even cooking and a beautiful char on all sides. Once cooked, remove the corn from the grill and let it cool completely to room temperature before carefully slicing the kernels off the cob. This cooling step is crucial to prevent other delicate salad ingredients from wilting when mixed.

Storage: This Peach Feta Salad is designed to be enjoyed fresh for the best experience. Its vibrant flavors and textures are at their peak on the day it’s prepared. If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days. Please note that the avocado may brown slightly, and the basil might wilt after the first day. The dressing, however, can be stored separately in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Nutrition Information (Approximate)

Serving: 1serving |
Calories: 321kcal |
Carbohydrates: 26g |
Protein: 5g |
Fat: 23g |
Saturated Fat: 5g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 14g |
Cholesterol: 14mg |
Sodium: 423mg |
Potassium: 328mg |
Fiber: 3g |
Sugar: 19g |
Vitamin A: 1197IU |
Vitamin C: 24mg |
Calcium: 137mg |
Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an approximation and can vary based on specific ingredients, portion sizes, and preparation methods.

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Mastering Grilled Corn for Your Salad

Grilled corn is an essential component of this Peach Feta Salad, infusing it with a unique smoky sweetness and a delightful, tender-crisp texture. Achieving perfectly grilled corn is simple with these steps, ensuring it’s ready to be incorporated into your refreshing salad once cooled.

1. Prepare the Corn: Begin by carefully removing all the husks and silk from your corn on the cob. This preparation ensures even cooking and charring. Next, lightly rub each ear of corn with a small amount of olive oil. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper; this simple seasoning greatly enhances its natural flavors during the grilling process.
2. Preheat Your Grill: For the best results, preheat your grill to a medium-high temperature. Aim for approximately 400°F (about 200°C). A hot grill is key to achieving those desirable char marks and cooking the corn efficiently. If you don’t have an outdoor grill, a cast-iron grill pan on your stovetop can also work effectively.
3. Grill the Corn to Perfection: Once your grill is hot, place the seasoned corn cobs directly onto the grates. Cook the corn for a total of 10 to 12 minutes. During this time, remember to turn the corn every 3 minutes or so. This rotation ensures that each side develops a beautiful light char and the kernels become tender-crisp. Keep a close eye on it to avoid over-burning!
4. Cool Down and Cut: After grilling, remove the corn from the heat and allow it to cool completely to room temperature. This is a crucial step for the salad, as adding warm corn could wilt delicate ingredients like fresh basil and avocado. Once thoroughly cooled, stand each cob upright on a cutting board and carefully slice the kernels off using a sharp knife.

By following these precise steps, you’ll ensure your grilled corn is a perfectly tender, smoky, and sweet addition that elevates your Peach Feta Salad to new heights.