Roasted Peach Arugula Quinoa Salad (Printable Version)
Vibrant summer bowl featuring caramelized peaches, peppery greens, nutty grains, and tangy honey-lime dressing.
# What You'll Need:
→ Produce
01 - 3 ripe peaches, halved and pitted
02 - 4 cups arugula, packed
03 - 1 small cucumber, diced
04 - 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
05 - 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
→ Grains
06 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
07 - 2 cups water
→ Cheese & Nuts
08 - 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
09 - 1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds
→ Vinaigrette
10 - 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
11 - 1 1/2 tbsp fresh lime juice
12 - 1 tbsp honey
13 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
14 - 1/2 tsp sea salt
15 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
# How To Make:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the peach halves cut side up on the baking sheet. Roast for 15–18 minutes until softened and caramelized. Let cool slightly, then slice.
02 - Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the water is absorbed. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork. Let cool to room temperature.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined.
04 - In a large bowl, combine cooled quinoa, arugula, cucumber, red onion, and mint. Drizzle with the vinaigrette and toss gently to combine. Arrange the roasted peach slices on top. Sprinkle with feta cheese and toasted almonds.
05 - Serve immediately, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving for a chilled salad.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The warm roasted peaches against crisp cool greens creates this incredible temperature contrast that feels like summer on a fork
- It keeps beautifully for hours, making it perfect for meal prep or bringing to a potluck where you want something that looks impressive but comes together easily
02 -
- Warm peaches can wilt the arugula, so let them cool at least 10 minutes before adding them to the salad
- The vinaigrette will separate if it sits too long, so give it a quick whisk right before drizzling
03 -
- Cook the quinoa in vegetable or chicken broth instead of water for extra flavor
- If your peaches arent quite ripe, roasting an extra 5 minutes helps soften them up and concentrates whatever sweetness they have