Celebrate the flavors of summer with this expertly crafted cherry salad recipe complete with a sweet and tart cherry balsamic vinaigrette! This vibrant recipe is an explosion of crispy, juicy, tangy, sweet, and salty deliciousness AKA an irresistible addition to any summer menu. This summer salad is make-ahead friendly and endlessly adaptable with included variations!

This post is sponsored by the Cherry Marketing Institute. All opinions are my own.

PIN THIS RECIPE TO SAVE FOR LATER

top view of summer salad with cherries, peaches, mangos, avocado and tomatoes

Watch How to Make Summer Salad Recipes

Why you’ll love This Cherry Salad Recipe

DRIED CHERRIES: Montmorency dried tart cherries are a homegrown superfruit that pack a punch of bright, sweet-tart intense flavor that you’ll want in every bite!
FLAVOR TEXTURE EXPLOSION: Too often salads are an obligatory side – not this recipe! The sour dried cherries mingling with the sweet, juicy mangos and peaches, crispy lettuce, crunchy cucumbers, tangy feta, salty sunflower seeds, and creamy avocado will have everyone craving salad.
CHERRY BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE: Need I say more? It’s a delightful blend of sweet and tangy flavors with a hint of nuanced spices that adds a whole new dimension to your salad dressing game.
DRIED TART CHERRIES: This incredible superfruit brings a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness to enhance the flavors of the mangos and peaches. And the best part? Dried cherries are a convenient staple to have in your kitchen!
NUTRITIOUS POWERHOUSE: This summer salad is pumped with nutrient-rich dried cherries, cherry juice, cheese, and nuts to energize you throughout the day.
MAKE IT YOUR OWN! The ingredients are guidelines and completely flexible depending on your likes, what’s on sale, or what you have on hand. See the variations section for lots of ideas!
EFFORTLESS ENTERTAINING. Instructions for how to prepare the recipe in advance for a stress-free victory.

cherry salad recipe in a bowls garnished with feta

Summer Salad Recipe Ingredients

This summer salad is packed with fresh fruits, vegetables, cheese, and nuts! Let’s take a closer look at what you’ll need (measurements in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

The best cherries to use

Where to find them: Look for U.S.-grown Montmorency dried tart cherries also known as sour cherries. Montmorency tart cherries are the most common variety of tart cherries grown in the U.S. and are available year-round in dried, juice, canned, and frozen forms (they aren’t typically eaten fresh). You can find dried cherries in the bulk bins at Sprouts or look for them in packages with the other dried fruits at the grocery store. Dried tart cherries are also perfect for snacking, or mixing into trail mix, cookies, bars, oatmeal, etc. For recipes and nutrition research, visit choosecherries.com.

The benefits of Montmorency tart cherries: Research suggests Montmorency tart cherries may help aid exercise recovery, heart health, sleep, arthritis, and gout. Additionally, choosing Montmorency tart cherries means you’re choosing American-farmed fruit with the majority grown in from Michigan, Utah, and Wisconsin and shipped directly to your grocery store. Imported tart cherries may travel more than 5,000 miles before reaching your town!

top view of summer salad recipe ingredients: cherries, mangos, peaches, tomatoes, cucumbers, avocado and red onions

Spring Salad Mix: This forms the base of the salad and is my go-to for salads because of its texture and flavor variety.
Cucumbers: Use two Persian cucumbers or 1 medium English cucumber. You don’t have to peel the cucumbers because the skin is thin, edible, and won’t alter the flavor.
Tomatoes: Use ripe (multi-color if you can) cherry tomatoes because they are flavorful and juicy yet not watery. If you have another tomato variety in your garden, be sure to seed them first so the salad doesn’t get soggy.
Peaches or Nectarines: I used mini nectarines in this recipe, but you can use whatever ripe fruit is on sale. Make sure the fruit is ripe by checking for a sweet smell and a slight give when gently squeezed. Avoid fruits with hints of green, but remember that a ripe peach isn’t necessarily red; the red color comes from direct sun exposure.
Mangos: Use ripe mangos so they will be delightfully sweet or substitute with more sweet peaches. If you’re intimidated by choosing mangos, see this how to cut a mango post.
Avocados: Use ripe avocados, but not overly ripe, or they will turn to mush when tossed with the salad. To determine ripeness, gently squeeze the avocado. A ripe avocado should yield slightly to pressure but not feel overly soft.
Red onion: The salad requires a sharp flavor to balance its sweetness. Add more or less sliced red onions to taste.
Cheese: Use your favorite crumbled cheese such as feta, goat cheese, or Gorgonzola for its creamy, sharp, salty bite. I recommend purchasing fresh cheese in a log/block and crumbling it yourself. It tends to be creamier than purchasing crumbles.
Sunflower Seeds: Take care they are roasted and salted for maximum flavor. I purchase my seeds in the bulk bins at Sprouts.
Almonds: I love adding nuts and seeds to salads. Sliced almonds provide a crunchy texture and a nutty flavor, creating a delightful contrast with leafy greens and juicy fruit.

For the cHERRY VINAIGRETTE:

Cherry juice: Look for tart Montmorency cherry juice in the juice aisle of your grocery store. Tart cherry juice is a rich source of antioxidants.
Oil: Use light olive oil, canola oil, or your favorite neutral oil.
Balsamic vinegar: This boasts a fruity tang, mellow tartness, and rich, complex sweetness. Look for Balsamic Vinegar of Modena I.G.P. for salad dressings and marinades. It is regulated, and processed in Modena, Italy from select grape varieties, and balsamic is always the first and main ingredient. I.G.P. should clearly be labeled and marked with the yellow-and-blue I.G.P. stamp (it shows two hillsides in a ring of stars). The vinegar can be designated “aged” if it has fermented for greater than three years – a great sign. Some reputable brands include Colavita, Due Vittorie Oro Gold, Oliviers & Co, EMILIA FOOD LOVE and QO Organic.
Honey: I suggest choosing clover honey, which is one of the most popular and widely available types of honey, for its mild sweetness that allows the other flavors to shine.
Dijon mustard: This not only helps to balance the sweetness and adds a layer of subtle flavor, but it also acts as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help create stable suspensions, preventing ingredients from separating and maintaining a cohesive texture.
Spices: Onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper season the dressing and therefore the entire salad.

top view of summer salad dressing ingredients: olive oil, cherry juice, balsamic, honey, Dijon and spices

Summer Salad IDeas

This summer salad is completely customizable, however, I recommend always including something, sweet, salty, tangy and crunchy! Here are a few ideas:

Use Your Favorite Greens: Mix and match other greens such as spinach, Romaine, iceberg, arugula, Bibb lettuce, etc. to change the flavor and texture.
Add Veggies: Add any veggies you like such as bell peppers, mushrooms, snap peas, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower etc.
Protein-Packed Spring Salad: Make it a meal by adding grilled chicken shrimp, salmon, steak, or pork to the salad.
Add Hardboiled Eggs: For a Cobb-salad flair.
Add Chickpeas: They add a nutty, earthy, creaminess and are a rich source of vitamins, minerals and fiber.
Add Citrus: Substitute some of the peaches or mangos for clementine oranges or grapefruit for a burst of citrus flavor.
Add Berries: Add fresh strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and/or blackberries.
Add Grains: Add cooked brown rice, farro, quinoa, couscous etc. for an additional layer of delectable texture.
Omit Cheese: Keep this recipe dairy-free by omitting the feta or using vegan cheese.
Swap Nuts: Cashews, pecans, macadamia nuts, pistachios or pine nuts would all be tasty – just make sure they are roasted and salted.

How to MAke Summer Salad

This summer salad is a breeze to make! Let’s take a closer look with step-by-step photos (full recipe in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

Step 1: Make the Cherry Dressing. Add the ingredients to a mixing bowl or jar and whisk or shake to combine. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

showing how to make summer salad recipe by whisking together the cherry balsamic vinaigrette

Step 2: Assemble the Salad. Add the greens to a large bowl, then top with the fruit and cucumbers, followed by the avocado, cherries, nuts, seeds and feta.

showing how to make cherry salad by adding the spring mix, cherries, mangos, tomatoes to a bowl

Step 3: Toss with the Dressing. Drizzle the salad with the desired amount of dressing, then toss together.

showing how to make summer salad by drizzling dressing over salad

How to Serve Summer Salad Recipe

There are three ways to serve this cherry salad:

1. If you don’t expect or want leftovers: Add the salad ingredients to a large bowl and drizzle with desired amount of dressing and toss to combine.
2. If you expect leftovers: Add the salad ingredients to a large bowl except for the avocado slices. Let individuals dress their own salads with avocado, and vinaigrette.
3. Create a salad bar: Line the salad ingredients in separate bowls and let guests assemble their own salads.

TIPS for making Cherry Salad Recipe

Customize Ingredients. The salad ingredients and measurements are suggestions. Feel free to add or swap any ingredients with your favorite veggies, fruits, seeds, and cheese.
Make the Dressing First: The dressing needs time to chill for the flavors to blend and develop – no one likes warm salad dressing! If you are making the salad and serving immediately, place the dressing in the freezer for 30 minutes, and then transfer it to the refrigerator so it is sufficiently chilled.
Customize the Dressing: Some people prefer tangier dressing, while others like it sweeter. I recommend starting with 2 tablespoons honey and adjusting by adding more balsamic for tangier flavor or honey for a sweeter taste. Always make adjustments after the dressing has chilled.
Use Ripe Fruit and Tomatoes: If they aren’t ripe, they will taste or bitter or sour instead of sweet.
Prep Ahead: Get excited because you can prepare the ingredients ahead of time – full instructions to follow.
Scale the Recipe Up or Down: This cherry salad recipe can be easily adjusted to serve a larger crowd or scaled down for individual lunches or smaller groups. You can use the arrows next to the servings in the printable recipe card to increase or decrease the recipe accordingly.

summer salad recipe with peaches in a wood bowl

How to serve Summer Salad Recipe

This summer salad is a gorgeous side dish perfect for any gathering! Here are some delicious pairings:

Grilled proteins: Marinated Skirt Steak, S irloin Steak, Grilled Shrimp, Balsamic Chicken, Grilled Barbecue Chicken, Chicken Kabobs, Steak Kabobs, and on and on.
Main dishes: Creamy Garlic Chicken, Baked Pot Roast, Spaghetti Bolognese, Crockpot Chili, Tomato Basil Soup, etc.
Sandwiches and burgers: BBQ Brisket Sandwiches, BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches, French Dips, Philly Cheesesteaks, Italian Beef Sandwiches , Best Burgers, and BBQ Burgers.
Fruit: Grilled Pineapple, Creamy Grape Salad, Summer Fruit Salad, Perfect Fruit Salad, Tropical Fruit Salad or Berry Salad in Honey Mascarpone.

Prep Ahead Cherry Salad

The ingredients for this summer salad recipe can be prepped ahead of time and kept separate until ready to toss for optimal texture. Here’s how:

– Store the lettuce in a large salad bowl and seal the remaining ingredients in separate bags. Place the bags on top of the lettuce and cover the bowl with foil before refrigerating.
– You can prepare the cucumbers and onions up to 48 hours in advance and crumble the cheese up to 72 hours in advance. Cut the fruit a few hours ahead of time. The dressing can be made up to 5 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

HOW TO STORE Leftover Summer Salad

Store any remaining cherry salad and dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days for the best texture. While the ingredients are safe to eat for up to 5 days, the lettuce will lose its crispness and become softer every day. If you anticipate having leftovers, store the avocado and fruit separately and allow everyone to dress their own salads. This will help prevent the lettuce from wilting and becoming soggy as quickly.

showing how to make summer salad by tossing the salad together with tongs

Looking for more Summer Salad Recipes?

Strawberry Spinach Salad
Watermelon Feta Salad
Strawberry Salad
Spring Salad
Garden Salad
Loaded Potato Salad
Broccoli Bacon Salad
Mandarin Orange Salad

WANT TO TRY THIS Summer Salad RECIPE?

PIN IT to your recipe BOARD TO SAVE FOR LATER!

FIND ME ON PINTEREST FOR MORE GREAT RECIPES! I AM ALWAYS PINNING :)!

Total Time: 40

Prep Time: 40

Save This Recipe To Your Recipe Box

You can now create an account on our site and save your favorite recipes all in one place!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe

Ingredients

Salad

5 oz. spring salad mix
2 Persian cucumbers or 1 medium English cucumber, sliced
1 large ripe peach, or 2 nectarines or 5 minis
1 ripe mango, sliced or cubed (may sub 1 peach)
6 oz. (1 cup) multi-colored cherry tomatoes, halved
1 large avocado, sliced or cubed
1/2 cup dried Montmorency tart cherries
1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
4 oz. feta or goat cheese
1/3 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup roasted salted sunflower seeds
1/4 cup loosely packed torn fresh basil leaves

Cherry Balsamic Vinaigrette

1/3 cup Montmorency tart cherry juice
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2-3 tablespoons honey (start with 2)
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp EACH onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper
1/4 cup light olive oil or canola oil

Instructions

Make the Dressing: Add the ingredients to a mixing bowl or jar and whisk or shake to combine. Refrigerate until ready to serve. After chilling, adjust to taste. If it is not sweet enough, add about one tablespoon of honey. If it’s too sweet, add additional balsamic 1 teaspoon at a time.
Assemble: Add the greens to a large bowl, then top with the cucumbers, and fruit, followed by the avocado, cherries, nuts, seeds, and feta.
Add Dressing: If you're not expecting leftovers, drizzle the salad with the desired amount of dressing and toss. Alternatively, dress individual salads. Dig in!

Video

Did You Make This Recipe?

Tag @CarlsbadCravings and Use #CarlsbadCravngs

Leave a Review, I Always Love Hearing From You!

Tart Cherry Salad

PIN THIS RECIPE TO SAVE FOR LATER

Watch How to Make Summer Salad Recipes

Why you’ll love This Cherry Salad Recipe