This fresh and tasty salad features sweet grilled peaches paired with creamy burrata cheese. A drizzle of balsamic adds a lovely tang! Perfect for summer days or any time you want something light and bright.
Every bite feels like a little celebration! I love how the sweet peaches and creamy cheese dance together on my plate. It’s a great dish to impress friends or just treat yourself. Yum!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Peaches: Use ripe peaches for their sweetness and juiciness. If peaches aren’t in season, nectarines or plums are great alternatives. Just make sure to grill until tender!
Mixed Salad Greens: Arugula, spinach, or a spring mix work well. If you’re looking for a change, try using kale or romaine for a crunchier texture.
Burrata Cheese: This cheese is creamy and delicious. If you can’t find burrata, fresh mozzarella is a good substitute, though it won’t be as creamy.
Balsamic Vinegar: A good-quality balsamic is essential for flavor. For a twist, you can use red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar mixed with a bit of sugar to achieve a similar taste.
Nuts: Pine nuts add a great crunch, but feel free to substitute with walnuts or pecans. You could even omit nuts altogether for a nut-free option!
How Do You Get Perfectly Grilled Peaches?
Grilling peaches is a fantastic way to enhance their natural sweetness. Here’s how to do it perfectly:
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. This helps to create those desirable grill marks and caramelization.
- Brush the peaches with olive oil. It prevents sticking and adds flavor!
- Place the peaches cut side down on the grill. Don’t rush this part; let them cook until they’re slightly softened and have nice grill marks, about 3-4 minutes.
- Flip and grill the skin side briefly. This adds even more flavor!
Let them cool a bit before slicing for the salad. Grilled peaches can be sweet and juicy, so don’t skip this step!
Grilled Peach Burrata Salad With Balsamic Drizzle
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Salad:
- 2 ripe peaches, halved and pitted
- 1 tbsp olive oil, for brushing peaches
- 4 cups mixed salad greens (like arugula, baby spinach, or spring mix)
- 8 oz burrata cheese, torn into pieces or left whole to serve
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts or sliced almonds (optional)
For the Balsamic Drizzle:
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
For Seasoning:
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful salad takes about 15 minutes of prep time, plus around 10 minutes for grilling the peaches. You’ll have a delicious and impressive dish ready to serve in about 25 minutes!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Grill:
Start by preheating your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. This ensures a nice sear on the peaches and brings out their natural sweetness.
2. Brush the Peaches:
Take the peach halves and brush them lightly with olive oil on the cut sides. This helps prevent sticking to the grill and adds flavor.
3. Grill the Peaches:
Place the peaches cut side down on the grill. Allow them to cook until you see lovely grill marks and the peaches are slightly softened, about 3-4 minutes. Then, flip them over and grill the skin side for another 2 minutes. Once done, remove them from the grill and let them cool slightly.
4. Make the Balsamic Drizzle:
In a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl, warm the balsamic vinegar along with honey or maple syrup over low heat. Stir occasionally until it thickens a bit to a syrupy consistency, about 3-5 minutes. Let it cool for drizzling later.
5. Assemble the Salad:
On serving plates, create a lovely bed of mixed salad greens. Now, slice the grilled peaches into wedges and arrange them on top of the greens.
6. Add the Cheese:
Next, add the torn pieces of burrata cheese over the salad. You can leave them whole if you’d like a focal point in the salad!
7. Finish with Basil and Nuts:
Sprinkle fresh basil leaves and any toasted nuts you’d like over the top for added texture and flavor.
8. Drizzle and Season:
Finally, drizzle the balsamic reduction over the salad and add a little extra virgin olive oil. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
9. Serve and Enjoy!
Serve your salad immediately and savor the wonderful combination of warm grilled peaches, creamy burrata, and the tangy-sweet balsamic drizzle!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I Use Different Fruits in This Salad?
Absolutely! If peaches aren’t available, try using nectarines, plums, or even grilled strawberries. Each fruit will bring its unique flavor and sweetness to the salad!
How to Store Leftover Salad?
Leftovers can be tricky because the greens can wilt. If you have any salad left, store the mixed greens and toppings separately from the dressing and grilled peaches in airtight containers. They’ll stay fresh in the fridge for up to a day.
Can I Make the Balsamic Drizzle in Advance?
Yes, you can! The balsamic drizzle can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Just warm it up slightly before drizzling over the salad to restore its syrupy consistency.
What Can I Substitute for Burrata Cheese?
If you can’t find burrata, fresh mozzarella or goat cheese works well as alternatives. While they won’t have quite the same creamy texture, they will still complement the flavors of the salad beautifully!
