Peach & Goat Cheese Salad with Sweet Balsamic Dressing
/There are certain recipes that just taste like summer, and this Peach & Goat Cheese Salad is one of them. Juicy ripe peaches, creamy goat cheese and homemade candied walnuts are layered over fresh arugula and spinach before everything is tossed with a homemade sweet balsamic dressing.
It has that combination I always love in a salad—something sweet, something creamy and something crunchy—all tied together with a dressing that balances the flavors without overpowering them.
This is an easy salad to make for a summer lunch or dinner, but it's beautiful enough to bring to a gathering or serve when you're having people over. And when peaches are at their best, you really don't need to do much to make them shine.
Why You'll Love This Peach & Goat Cheese Salad
This salad is simple, but every ingredient brings something different to the table.
Fresh peaches add natural sweetness and a juicy bite.
Goat cheese brings a creamy, tangy contrast to the fruit.
Candied walnuts give the salad crunch with just the right amount of maple and brown sugar sweetness.
Arugula and spinach create a fresh base with a mix of peppery and mild greens.
Sweet balsamic dressing brings everything together with balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, honey and Dijon mustard.
The result is fresh and light while still having enough flavor and texture to make it feel special.
Ingredient Notes
Fresh Peaches
The peaches are the star of this salad, so this is one recipe where using ripe, in-season fruit makes a difference.
Look for peaches that have a little give when gently pressed but are still firm enough to slice. You want them sweet and juicy without becoming too soft when the salad is tossed.
Their natural sweetness is such a good contrast to the tangy goat cheese and balsamic dressing.
Goat Cheese
Creamy goat cheese adds richness and tang without making the salad feel heavy. I like leaving some of the crumbles a little larger so you get those creamy bites throughout the salad.
If you're a fellow goat cheese lover, my Berry Walnut Goat Cheese Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette is another fresh summer salad to save.
Arugula + Baby Spinach
Using both gives you the best of each green. Arugula has a slightly peppery flavor that works beautifully with peaches, while baby spinach is tender and mild.
Together they create a fresh base without competing with all of the other flavors we're adding.
Candied Walnuts
The candied walnuts might be one of my favorite parts of this salad.
Instead of adding plain walnuts, they're quickly coated with maple syrup and brown sugar. Once they cool, you get that sweet crunch that works so well with the juicy peaches and creamy goat cheese.
Sweet Balsamic Dressing
The homemade dressing is a simple combination of balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, honey and Dijon mustard.
It's sweet and tangy with just enough Dijon to balance everything out, and it ties together the peaches, creamy goat cheese and peppery greens.
Amanda's Tips for the Best Peach Salad
Use Ripe but Firm Peaches
You want the peaches sweet and juicy, but they should still be firm enough to hold their shape when sliced and tossed with the salad.
Let the Candied Walnuts Cool
The walnuts will firm up as they cool, so give them a little time before adding them to the greens. This is what gives you that great crunchy texture.
Wait to Add the Dressing
Don't dress the salad too far ahead of serving. Tossing it shortly before it reaches the table keeps the arugula and spinach fresh.
Save Some Toppings for the End
I add about three-quarters of the peaches, goat cheese and walnuts before tossing and save the rest for the top.
It's such a simple trick, but it keeps all of those beautiful ingredients visible instead of letting them disappear into the greens.
Start With Less Dressing
You don't necessarily need to pour all of the dressing onto the salad at once. Start with enough to lightly coat the greens, toss and then add more as needed.
I love serving salads like this in a large shallow serving bowl so there's plenty of room to gently toss everything together without crushing the peaches or goat cheese.
For the dressing, I usually whisk everything together in a small glass mixing bowl before pouring it over the salad. It's simple, but having a smaller bowl makes it much easier to get the dressing completely combined before adding it to the greens.
What to Serve with Peach & Goat Cheese Salad
This salad works beautifully as a lighter lunch on its own, but it's also an easy side dish for summer dinners, cookouts and gatherings.
Serve it alongside grilled chicken or steak, or add a simple protein directly to the salad to make it more substantial.
For another salad that works especially well as a summer meal, try my Grilled Chicken, Mexican Street Corn & Cucumber Salad.
And once summer peaches give way to fall produce, my Pear & Pomegranate Arugula Salad has that same sweet-and-savory combination with seasonal flavors.
Peach & Goat Cheese Salad with Sweet Balsamic Dressing
This fresh summer salad combines ripe peaches, creamy goat cheese, homemade candied walnuts and mixed greens with an easy sweet balsamic dressing.
Ingredients
For the Salad
5 cups arugula
5 cups baby spinach
2 ripe peaches, sliced
4 oz goat cheese, crumbled
For the Candied Walnuts
2 cups walnuts
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
For the Sweet Balsamic Dressing
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup honey
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Instructions
1. Make the Candied Walnuts
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
In a pan, melt together the maple syrup and brown sugar, stirring until combined and bubbling. Add the walnuts and toss until evenly coated.
Transfer the walnuts to the prepared baking sheet and separate them so they don't stick together. Let them cool while you prepare the rest of the salad.
2. Make the Sweet Balsamic Dressing
Whisk together the balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, honey and Dijon mustard until combined.
If the dressing is thicker than you'd like, add a small amount of hot water until it reaches your preferred consistency.
Taste and adjust as desired.
3. Assemble the Salad
Add the arugula and baby spinach to a large bowl and toss together.
Add about three-quarters of the sliced peaches, goat cheese and cooled candied walnuts.
4. Dress the Salad
Drizzle the sweet balsamic dressing over the salad and gently toss everything together.
Start with enough dressing to lightly coat the greens and add more as desired.
5. Finish and Serve
Transfer the salad to a serving dish if desired.
Arrange the remaining peaches, goat cheese and candied walnuts over the top for a beautiful finish.
Serve and enjoy!
Amanda's Tip
Save some of the peaches, goat cheese and candied walnuts to add after tossing the salad. You'll still get all of those flavors throughout, but the finished salad will look so much prettier when it reaches the table.
Save This Recipe
Whether you're planning ahead for a summer gathering or simply looking for a fresh salad to make while peaches are in season, I've included a printable recipe card below so it's easy to save, print and come back to later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Make This Peach Salad Ahead of Time?
You can prepare several of the components ahead of time, but I recommend waiting to assemble and dress the salad until shortly before serving.
The candied walnuts and sweet balsamic dressing can both be prepared ahead and stored separately. Slice the peaches and assemble the salad closer to serving so the greens stay crisp and the peaches look their freshest.
Can I Make the Sweet Balsamic Dressing Ahead of Time?
Yes. Make the dressing ahead and store it separately until you're ready to assemble the salad. Whisk or shake it again before serving if the ingredients have separated.
Can I Make the Candied Walnuts Ahead of Time?
Yes. Allow the candied walnuts to cool completely before storing them. Add them to the salad shortly before serving so they keep their crunchy texture.
Can I Use a Different Nut?
Yes. Walnuts are what I use in this recipe, but toasted almonds, pecans or sunflower seeds can also add a nice crunch.
What Greens Are Best for Peach Salad?
I love the combination of baby spinach and arugula. The spinach is mild and tender while the arugula adds a slightly peppery flavor that works beautifully with sweet peaches.
When Should I Add the Dressing?
Wait until shortly before serving to add the sweet balsamic dressing. This helps keep the arugula and spinach fresh instead of letting the greens become weighed down by the dressing.
More Salad Recipes You'll Love
If you love salads with that mix of fresh fruit, creamy cheese and plenty of texture, here are a few more recipes to try:
Final Thoughts
Summer peaches don't need much to turn them into something special, and I think that's what I love most about this salad.
The juicy peaches, creamy goat cheese and sweet candied walnuts bring so much flavor and texture on their own, while the homemade sweet balsamic dressing ties everything together.
It's simple enough to make for lunch at home but pretty enough to put in the middle of the table when we're having people over—which is always my favorite kind of recipe.
If you make this Peach & Goat Cheese Salad with Sweet Balsamic Dressing, I hope it becomes one of those recipes you look forward to making every summer when peaches are finally at their best.
