Summer Peach Salad – Great Use of Fresh Peaches
Summer Peach Salad – Today, we are going to make a summer peach salad to take advantage of the juicy fresh peaches that are available. It’s an easy, relatively quick salad to make.
Summer Peach Salad w/Chilis & Sliced Almonds
Spicy chiles and sweet peaches come together in this simple, summery salad perfect for backyard parties. Vinegar and honey give each bite a sweet-tart zing and silky texture.
That helps amplify the juiciness of fresh peaches. The honey mellows the sharpness of the vinegar, adding brightness without overpowering the delicate fruit.
The red chilies add some jalapeño-like heat to this dish. Lean on this stunning salad when peaches are at their prime to showcase the best of summer produce.
Each component of this summer peach salad brings so much flavor and works together perfectly.
Summer Peach Salad
The sliced almonds are optional, but I think they add the crunch that the summer peach salad needs. If you aren’t a fan of almonds, pine nuts or walnuts would work well in this too.
For a full meal, top this Summer Peach Salad with grilled chicken or shrimp.
Peaches and chilis work so well together in a Summer Peach Salad
Sweet vs. heat — Ripe peaches bring juicy sugar, chilis bring a sharp burn. That push-pull is the same reason mango-habanero or watermelon-jalapeño combos work. The sweetness tames the heat, and the heat keeps the sweetness from feeling one-note or cloying.
Texture — Soft, yielding peach flesh against the slight crunch (or at least bite) of fresh chili gives the dish some structure instead of everything being mushy.
Aromatics — Fresh chilis (like jalapeño or serrano) have a green, vegetal, almost floral quality underneath the heat. That pairs nicely with the floral, slightly perfumed notes in a ripe peach — they’re not just “sweet + spicy,” they actually share some flavor compounds.
Temperature perception — Capsaicin tricks your mouth into feeling warmer, which feels great against a chilled or room-temp juicy fruit in summer heat. It’s refreshing and warming at the same time.
Balances richness — If the salad has something fatty or creamy (feta, burrata, avocado, a good olive oil), the chili’s heat cuts through it, and the peach’s acidity/sweetness rounds it out. This is why a lot of peach salads add lime, mint, or basil too — those bridge the sweet and spicy even further.
A classic version: sliced peaches, thinly sliced jalapeño or serrano, red onion, lime juice, torn mint or basil, and a salty cheese like feta or cotija, finished with flaky salt and olive oil. Grilling the peaches first adds a smoky note that plays even better against the chili.
Peach Summer Salad
Equipment
- No Special Equipment
Materials
- ⅔ cup vinegar, light or citrusy vinegar
- ⅓ cup honey, We use Lemon Blossom Honey
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 ½ lbs. fresh peaches, about 4 medium peaches
- ½ cup slivered almonds, toasted
- 1 to 2 red Fresno chiles, seeded and thinly sliced
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Whisk together vinegar, honey, and salt in a large bowl.
- Set aside.
- Cut peaches in half lengthwise and remove the pits.
- Slice peaches into 1-inch wedges; cut each wedge in half crosswise.
- Add peaches, peanuts, and chiles to vinaigrette in bowl.
- Toss well to combine and evenly coat.
- Gently fold in basil.
- Arrange salad on a platter; sprinkle with flaky salt.
Video
Nutrition
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If you like this recipe for Summer Peach Salad, check out our recipe for Vietnamese Meatballs with Chili Sauce.
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Great summer salad
Oh, so now you’re just taunting me with peaches.
I really like how you let the peaches be the star in this salad.
Perfect end of summer recipe, Charlie. Going to try it but will switch out vinegar to what I have on hand. By the way, someone you know (CB) made a great and easy rosemary focaccia yesterday. Might be good for your channel as well
Mmmmm I love the chile peppers and basil added to the peaches. Fabulous!
Great. I love a really simple tasty salad. I haven’t got a recipe for one with peaches though so can’t wait to give this a go!
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Thanks Neil, have a great weekend
Thanks, Chef, hope you have a great weekend!
It says you are Anonymous. Who is this? Let me know. You can e-mail or text
Thanks, Bernadette, really appreciate your great support!
Now that’s funny!
I make something similar with burrata and balsamic. Sooo good!
That sounds great, thanks for stopping by!
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