Peaches with Feta and Basil: A Perfect Summer Salad

Article by: valerie albanese

Photos by: allie albanese

September 5, 2023

Indulge in the taste of summertime with this peaches with feta and basil salad recipe. Perfect for a light meal or a delicious side, it’s the ultimate late summer salad you won’t want to miss.

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A bowl of peaches with feta and basil on a white linen napkin

Man, I love peaches. Maybe it’s because I’m from Georgia (aka “The Peach State) and have peaches running through my veins, but they are simply one of my favorite fruits! And one way I enjoy eating juicy peaches is in this delicious peaches with feta and basil salad.

Sweet peaches, salty feta cheese, and fresh basil are the stars of this dish, which come together to create the perfect bite. But what I especially love about this easy recipe is that it takes no time at all to make!

Served as either a light main course or a wonderful side dish, this recipe makes the perfect summertime salad whenever you want something light and fresh that you can feel great about eating!

‍Ingredients

In order to make peaches with feta and basil, you’ll want to gather the following simple ingredients:

Olive oil
Lime juice
Agave
Dijon mustard
Ripe peaches
Fresh basil leaves
Crumbled feta cheese
Salt and pepper

A spoon sticking out of a bowl of peaches with basil and feta

How To Make Peaches With Feta And Basil

Making this basil peach feta salad could not be easier. Just follow these easy steps to have this delicious salad on your dining table in no time at all!

PREPARE THE PEACHES AND VINAIGRETTE

Start by dicing your fresh peaches and add them to a large bowl. (If you prefer peach slices to diced, slice them instead.) I don’t mind the skin on my peaches, but if you’re squeamish about that, go ahead and peel yours first.

For the salad dressing, whisk together the olive oil, fresh lime juice, agave, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl. Season with kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste. (You can also shake the ingredients together in a mason jar to get them really well combined!)

Pour the vinaigrette into the bowl of peaches and mix together. Set aside for a couple of minutes while you prepare your basil.

the diced peaches tossed with the vinaigrette

CHOP THE BASIL AND MARINATE

Chop the sweet basil leaves in a julienne style. Make sure to save a few for later.

Add the julienned basil to the peaches and give it a stir. Cover and let sit in the fridge for about an hour.

a hand using a chef's knife to juilienne fresh basil

a bowl of diced peaches with the vinaigrette and juienned basil mixed into it

ADD THE FETA AND SERVE

Once the vinaigrette has melded a bit with the peaches, add your feta cheese and season with a pinch of salt and pepper to taste.

Slice the remaining basil leaves and sprinkle on top. You can either serve this easy peach salad in individual bowls or on a wide serving platter family-style.

That’s it! What could be easier?!

feta cheese being added to a bowl of marinated peaches with basil

a close up look at the completed combination of peaches with feta and basil

Recipe Variations

Don’t like basil? Thyme would be great! Feta cheese not your thing? Substitute goat cheese instead! There are endless ways you can amend this fresh peach salad recipe to suit your personal preferences. It’s a very forgiving recipe, so mix it up as you see fit!

Here are a few suggestions for how to change or enhance this peaches with feta and basil recipe to create a light meal or main dish that’s tasty any time of year!

Toss with some baby spinach or baby arugula and top with a touch of honey or a honey vinaigrette for a more traditional salad feel
Use fresh lemon juice instead of lime juice in the vinaigrette
Switch out regular peaches for white peaches for a more delicate peach flavor
Fire up a hot grill and grill your peaches first to make it a grilled peach salad
Use your favorite balsamic vinegar or white wine vinegar in the vinaigrette instead of lime juice
If you really like the flavor of basil, create a basil vinaigrette by adding some minced basil to your dressing
Toss in some thinly sliced fresh red onion (or soften the onion flavor by doing a quick onion pickle in some red wine vinegar first)
Or you’re like me, you might want to add ten times more feta and make it a feta peach salad instead!

A glass bowl filled with peaches with feta and basil sitting

Serving Suggestions For Peaches With Feta And Basil

In my opinion, fruit is super delicious with either meat or cheese. So whether you’re serving this summer peach salad with grilled peaches or fresh, I think it would make a great choice to accompany any of the following:

On a cheese and charcuterie board for a nice contrast of flavors and textures
Added to a bowl of cottage cheese for a light lunch
Served on a large platter with a drizzle of balsamic glaze
Scooped on top of pan-fried pork chops or chicken
As a side for grilled or roasted salmon

A glass bowl of peaches with feta and basil with a peach and some fresh basil next to it

When To Eat Peaches With Feta And Basil

When possible, always aim to highlight a fruit’s natural season in order to get the best qualities out of it! Therefore, it’s best to eat these peaches with feta and basil in the summertime. Peach season generally ranges from May to September in the Northern Hemisphere and October to March in the Southern Hemisphere, so finding the best peaches you can within that time frame is my suggestion.

One thing I will note is that this dish is best eaten immediately. The longer the peaches sit in the vinaigrette, the more they will break down and get mushy due to the nature of the acid in the lime juice. So for the best results, plan on making this dish whenever you actually plan to serve it!

A glass bowl of peaches with feta and basil sitting on a white linen napkin with a peach and some fresh basil next to it

FAQs About Peaches With Feta And Basil

Got questions about this peach basil feta salad? I’ve got answers! From when to make it to how to store it, let’s dive into some common questions about this dish that’s bound to become your new favorite salad!

HOW DO I STORE THIS SALAD?

This salad is best stored in the fridge in an airtight container.

HOW LONG WILL THIS RECIPE KEEP?

This recipe does not keep well over time, so my suggestion is to eat any leftover salad within a day of making it.

CAN I USE A DIFFERENT CHEESE?

You bet! I think burrata is a match made in heaven for peaches, but a sharp white cheddar or creamy goat cheese would be amazing, too.

CAN I MAKE THE RECIPE AHEAD OF TIME?

If you’re making peaches with feta and basil ahead of time, I suggest making it no more than one day in advance.

HERBS THAT GO WITH PEACHES?

While I’m biased and think basil is the best herb paired with peaches, you can’t go wrong with thyme or rosemary.

DOES BASIL GO WITH FETA?

Yes! Peaches with feta are a lovely combination.

DO PEACH AND BASIL GO TOGETHER?

In my opinion, peaches with basil make a winning duo!

A bowl of peaches with feta and basil sitting on a white linen napkin with a sliced peach next to it

Peaches With Feta And Basil: The Wrap-Up

As we say farewell to late summer there’s no denying the irresistible appeal of a refreshing salad (especially because temperatures here in Georgia continue to near 100 degrees F!). And this perfect summer salad brings together juicy peaches, creamy feta, and aromatic basil to remind you of what makes this season so special.

So if you’ve been seeking the quintessential taste of summertime, look no further. Peaches with feta and basil is not just any salad; it’s a celebration of the season, a testament to the beauty of fresh produce, and the perfect way to bid adieu to the sunny days of summer!

Valerie began her culinary career as a private chef in New York City before attending culinary school in Italy where she was trained in French technique and Italian cuisine. Over the course of her experience, she has had the honor of learning from celebrated chefs such as the incomparable Michelin-starred Chef Cesare Casella, renowned Italian Chef Maurizio Marsili, and well-known NYC Celebrity Chef Marco Canora.

Valerie now lives in Atlanta where she spends her free time spoiling her two dogs, trying macaroni and cheese wherever she goes, and searching for the best wings The ATL has to offer with her fiancé!

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