Summer Cherry Salad with Cherry Vinaigrette

Shanthi Appelo, MS, RD

| 1 min read

This vibrant salad highlights the natural sweetness of fresh cherries alongside peppery arugula, creamy burrata and crunchy nuts. The homemade cherry vinaigrette ties everything together for a dish that’s elegant enough for entertaining but simple enough for a weeknight meal.
For the salad:

Total Time:

15 minutes

Prep Time:

10 minutes

Cooking Difficulty:

Easy

Serving Amount
Ingredients
  • 3 cups arugula

  • 12 cup fresh cherries, pitted and halved

  • 2 burrata

  • 14 red onion, thinly sliced

  • 1 peach, thinly sliced

  • 14 cup walnuts

  • Balsamic reduction to taste

Instructions
  • Step 1

    Assemble the salad ingredients in a large bowl.

  • Step 2

    Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad just before serving.

For the vinaigrette:

Prep Time:

5 minutes

Cooking Difficulty:

Easy

Serving Amount
Ingredients
  • 14 cup olive oil

  • 2 Tbsp. cherry vinegar (can substitute for red wine vinegar)

  • 1 tsp. honey

  • 12 tsp. dried thyme

  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
  • Step 1

    In a mason jar or small bowl, combine cherry vinaigrette ingredients and shake or whisk to combine. 

FAQ

1. What if I can’t find cherry vinegar? Red wine vinegar is an excellent substitute. You can also use white wine vinegar or champagne vinegar for a slightly lighter flavor.
2. Can I substitute the burrata? Fresh mozzarella, goat cheese or feta all work well. Burrata provides the creamiest texture, but each cheese offers a delicious variation.
3. What proteins pair well with this salad? This salad pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, salmon, shrimp or steak. You can also add chickpeas or white beans for a vegetarian protein boost.

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