Peach Tomato Salad Recipe

Around the middle of July, I develop a very specific need to go to my local farmer's market. I walk past displays of fresh produce, and my particular favorites are the ripe peaches and tomatoes. The tender fruit always smells perfectly sweet, and always somehow manages to leave with a big bag full of them.

This amount of fresh goods from the farmers market always brings me joy because I know it's all going to taste amazing. However, I know I need a recipe that will make sure that they do not go to waste. This peach and tomato salad recipe does exactly that.

What make this peach tomato salad so good?

I love a recipe that looks like summer. I am talking vibrant, fresh, and full of ingredients that bring everyone to say, “mmmm”. This salad relies entirely on the natural, raw perfection of seasonal produce at their absolute peak; soft ready to bite into peaches and plump tomatoes. 

The incredible contrast of textures and flavors in every single forkful is what "wows" me every time, and I think will “wow” you too. I also love how stress-free the assembly of this salad is.

This recipe uses a bunch of my peaches and tomatoes and also delights a crowd in so many ways. It is one of the quicker and easier dishes that I have, too. Requiring no cooking and can be made in just about 10 minutes.

I consider it the ultimate perfect summer salad for potluck gatherings, backyard parties, and weekend family BBQs. The first time I made it, it was completely devoured before the main dish was finished grilling.

When I am hosting a summer gathering, the last thing I am looking for is a meal that makes me run back and forth to the kitchen or to the grill to check on a hot dish while my guests are outside enjoying themselves.

This peach and tomato salad allows me to do all my quick slicing ahead of time, whisk together a very easy homemade dressing, and present a gorgeous, colorful bowl of fresh summer goodness. You could almost call this summer in a bowl!

**Want more recipes like this one? Check these out!

• Summer Strawberry Salad Recipe
• Easy Beef and Broccoli Recipe
• Mango Popsicles Recipe with Yogurt and Lime
• Grilled Pineapple (Delicious Easy Recipe
• Peach Crisp

Ingredients you'll need

I have found that this peach and heirloom tomato salad hinges entirely on the quality of the ingredients. Let's take a look at them!

Salad Ingredients

• Ripe Peaches: The luscious anchor of this recipe. Selecting peaches that are soft and ripe is what is best. Peaches that are too hard will not do as well in this recipe.
• Tomatoes: I look for heavy, deep colored tomatoes. This helps ensure they are ripe and will bring the best flavor.
• Cherry Tomatoes: I adore cherry tomatoes because halving them releases their bright juices into the bowl and they also make a nice crunch in the salad.
• Basil leaves (chiffonade): Fresh basil is an absolute non-negotiable for me here. Slicing it into delicate ribbons releases its flavor and aroma, which pair naturally with tomatoes.
• Mint leaves (chiffonade): Fresh mint introduces a cooling and light top note that really makes this salad taste like summer.
• Feta cheese: This adds a beautiful, snow-white contrast to the red and orange fruit. Its saltiness grounds the salad and prevents it from tasting too much like a dessert.

Dressing

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: The foundation of my vinaigrette that gives the salad the perfect shine on the produce.
• Balsamic vinegar: A classic partner for tomatoes. It adds a deep, sweet tanginess.
• Lemon juice: Fresh citrus alongside vinegar gives the dressing a crisp, clean flavor.
• Honey (or maple syrup): Just a tiny touch of natural sweetness to round out the strength of the vinegar.
• Dried Basil & Dried Thyme: This herbal duo adds a wonderful, subtle savory depth to the dressing.
• Sea salt & Cracked pepper: The essential final seasoning to enhance the dish!

How to make peach tomato salad?

Whisk the Balsamic Vinaigrette

1. To prepare salad dressing, in a small bowl, add:

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar,
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice,
• 1 teaspoon honey,
• ½ teaspoon dried basil,
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme,
• ⅛ teaspoon sea salt, and
• ⅛ teaspoon freshly cracked pepper
  

2. Whisk well to combine.

Prepare the Fruit and Herbs

3. Wash and dry the 3 large ripe peaches, 2 large tomatoes, and 12 cherry tomatoes. Cut the peaches in half, remove the pit, and then slice them.

4. Now, cut the large tomatoes into slices and halve the cherry tomatoes.

5. Place your sliced peaches and tomatoes in a large bowl. Add 10 basil chiffonade and 10 mint chiffonade to the bowl with peaches and tomatoes. Reserve a few basil and mint chiffonade for garnish.

Toss and Platter

6. Pour the prepared dressing over your salad and give a gentle toss to avoid bruising your peaches and tomatoes.

7. Transfer to a serving platter, sprinkle crumbled 4 oz feta cheese, garnish with basil, and mint. Serve immediately. Enjoy!

Expert Tips and substitutions

Over the course of making this gorgeous dish all summer long, I have gathered a handful of excellent tips and clever substitutions that make the process incredibly seamless.

• First and foremost, this recipe lives and dies by the rule of using good-quality ingredients. Since none of the ingredients are being cooked, everything relies on the freshness and natural flavor of the ingredients.
• Specifically, for the fruit, you want to get juicy, ripe peaches. I typically reach for classic yellow peaches because of their traditional flavor. However, I have substituted white peaches, and I have also swapped with ripe nectarines if the farmers market is fresh out of peaches.
• You can also swap traditional balsamic vinegar in the vinaigrette for balsamic glaze drizzled over the top right before serving.
• If I want to bulk up the volume, I will serve this recipe over a bed of greens, like arugula or baby spinach leaves.
• One substitute you can try for added crunch is thinly sliced red onions along with toasted nuts like earthy walnuts or buttery pine nuts. If you prefer a nut-free crunch, pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds work as well.
• While crumbled feta is my go-to, I have had absolute rave reviews from my family when I substituted goat cheese or burrata. Give that a try sometime!
  

Serving Ideas

This Peach and tomato salad is a total champ when it comes to summer side dishes. I tend to pair with just about anything: burgers, steaks, meatballs, or toasted gourmet sandwiches. It is also spectacular served next to anything coming off a hot grill, including chicken breasts, flaky fish, or lamb chops.

If I am looking for a light weekday lunch, I love enjoying a big bowl of this entirely on its own. To turn it into a solid meal, I shred some leftover precooked chicken right into the bowl, giving me a perfect balance of protein, healthy fats, and cool summer flavors.

Storage

I do want to share an honest opinion here. This salad is absolute perfection when it is enjoyed completely fresh right after assembly. The salt in the dressing and the feta cheese naturally draw out the juices of the fruit over time. Leftover salad kept in the refrigerator overnight will become quite soggy and lose its distinct texture. I recommend tossing together exactly what you plan to enjoy immediately.

If you made and loved this Peach and Tomato Salad Recipe, please be sure to rate and review it below! I always love hearing from my readers and take your suggestions into account.

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