Tart Cherry Salad

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.

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 โ€“ not this recipe!ย  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:ย Need I say more?ย 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:ย 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:ย  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!ย  The ingredients are guidelines and completely flexible depending on your likes, whatโ€™s on sale, or what you have on hand. See the variations section for lots of ideas!
  • EFFORTLESS ENTERTAINING.ย  Instructions for how to prepare the recipe in advance for a stress-free victory.
cherry salad recipe in a bowls garnished with feta
ingredient icon

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):

top view of summer salad recipe ingredients:  cherries, mangos, peaches, tomatoes, cucumbers, avocado and red onions
  • Spring Salad Mix:ย ย This forms the base of the salad and is my go-to for salads because of its texture and flavor variety.
  • Cucumbers: Use twoย 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:ย 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:ย ย 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:ย  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:ย Take care they areย roasted and saltedย for maximum flavor. I purchase my seeds in the bulk bins at Sprouts.ย 
  • Almonds:ย I love adding nutsย andย 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:ย  Use light olive oil, canola oil, or your favorite neutral oil.
  • Balsamic vinegar:ย  This boasts a fruity tang, mellow tartness, and rich, complex sweetness.ย Look forย Balsamic Vinegar of Modena I.G.P.ย for salad dressings and marinades.ย  It is regulated, and processed in Modena, Italy from select grape varieties, and balsamic is always the first and main ingredient.ย 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 โ€œagedโ€ if it has fermented for greater than three years โ€“ a great sign. ย ย Some reputable brands include Colavita, Due Vittorie Oro Gold, Oliviers & Co, EMILIA FOOD LOVEย 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:ย 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:ย Mix and match other greens such as spinach, Romaine, iceberg, arugula, Bibb lettuce, etc. to change the flavor and texture.
  • Add Veggies:ย Add any veggies you like such as bell peppers, mushrooms, snap peas, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower etc.
  • Protein-Packed Spring Salad:ย Make it a meal by addingย grilled chickenย shrimp,ย salmon,ย steak,ย orย porkย to the salad.
  • Add Hardboiled Eggs:ย For a Cobb-salad flair.ย 
  • Add Chickpeas:ย  They add a nutty, earthy, creaminess and are a rich source of vitamins, minerals and fiber.
  • Add Citrus:ย Substitute some of the peaches or mangos for clementine oranges or grapefruit for a burst of citrus flavor.
  • Add Berries:ย Add fresh strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and/or blackberries.
  • Add Grains:ย Add cooked brown rice, farro, quinoa, couscous etc. for an additional layer of delectable texture.
  • Omit Cheese:ย Keep this recipe dairy-free by omitting the feta or using vegan cheese.
  • Swap Nuts:ย Cashews, pecans, macadamia nuts, pistachios or pine nuts would all be tasty โ€“ just make sure they areย 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.ย 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.ย 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.ย Drizzle the salad with the desired amount of dressing, then toss together.
showing how to make summer salad by drizzling dressing over salad

TIPS for making Cherry Salad Recipe

  • Customize Ingredients.ย  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:ย The dressing needs time to chill for the flavors to blend and develop โ€“ 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:ย 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:ย If they aren’t ripe, they will taste or bitter or sour instead of sweet.
  • Prep Ahead:ย Get excited because you can prepare the ingredients ahead of time โ€“ full instructions to follow.
  • Scale the Recipe Up or Down:ย 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

ย How to serve Summer Salad Recipe

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

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

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

Cherry Salad Recipe

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, sweet, tangy, salty deliciousness AKA an irresistible addition to any summer menu. This summer salad is make-ahead friendly and endlessly adaptable with included variations!
Servings: 6 -8 servings
Total Time: 40 minutes
Prep Time: 40 minutes

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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 itโ€™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!

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