Every delicious thing about summer all in one dish
This Strawberry Peach Summer Salad with Basil Walnut Pesto is summer on a plate. Juicy yellow peaches, sweet red strawberries, crisp cucumber, a shower of gem-like cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella ciliegine, rich avocado, a savory basil walnut pesto, and finally a sprinkling of fresh mint. It's kind of my way of stuffing (nearly) every delicious thing about summer all in one dish. This recipe is perfect as a first course for summer dinners enjoyed outside and can be assembled in about 15 minutes or less.
Let's talk about the basil pesto for a moment
Though I love a good pesto year-round, I particularly love making one in the summer months when I can pluck a lush bunch of basil for it directly out of my own garden. My favorite pestos always have ample basil, parmesan, garlic, and nuts. Walnuts are generally my preference because they're lighter in flavor than almonds or pine nuts, and lend an earthy creaminess to pesto that compliments the basil in a really lovely way. The pesto for this recipe also includes a pinch of red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper, as well as some bright lemon zest and juice that really helps open up the flavors. Get the recipe for Basil Walnut Pesto here.
Easy swaps for an equally delicious summer salad
I know I've stuffed the entire farmers' market into this Strawberry Peach Summer Salad; can you blame me though? If your craving this salad, but short an item or two I have full confidence your salad is still going to turn out delicious. However, here are a few of my favorite swaps in case you'd like to make this seasonal salad with what's currently in your crisper:
- Don't have peaches? Try nectarines (their non-furry cousin), apricots, or even plums
- Don't have strawberries? I think this salad is brilliant with other summer berries such as blackberries or raspberries
- Don't have cucumber? Try zucchini noodles (aka zoodles)
- Don't have mozzarella ciliegine (cherry-sized mozzarella balls)? Mozzarella can be found in many shapes, including those as large as a small orange to those as small as a pearl. Use whatever you've got, or swap out for extra-creamy burrata (another type of mozzarella), or cubes of salty feta instead.
- Don't have mint? I often make this salad with a sprinkle of fresh basil instead
What tools do I need to make this recipe?
- A food processor or blender
- A cutting board
- A chefs knife
- A citrus zester and citrus juicer
- Measuring cups and measuring spoons
Are you looking to upgrade to your cooking tools or replenish your pantry? Check out my kitchen tools shop page and pantry staples shop page to find my must-have kitchen tools, pantry items, and other Whip & Wander favorites.
A note for special diets
This Strawberry Peach Summer Salad with Basil Walnut Pesto recipe is grain-free, gluten-free, and friendly for vegetarian diets.
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Strawberry Peach Summer Salad with Basil Walnut Pesto
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 portions 1x
- Category: Appetizers & Bites, Salads & Dressings, Sides
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Strawberry Peach Summer Salad with Basil Walnut Pesto is summer on a plate. This recipe is perfect as a first course for summer dinners enjoyed outside and can be assembled in 15 minutes or less (counting the pesto!)
Ingredients
You can really scale this recipe to be as small or as large as you want, however, here are some average measurements that I prefer to use:
- 1 medium avocado, pitted, peeled, and sliced (I prefer rings because they're pretty)
- ½ large English cucumber, sliced
- 2 medium peaches, pitted and sliced
- ⅔ cup strawberries, topped and halved
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 4 oz. mozzarella ciliegine (cherry-sized mozzarella balls)
- 2 tbsp fresh mint, stemmed and packed
- ⅓ batch of Basil Walnut Pesto (about ⅓ cup)
Instructions
- I prefer to layer the fruit and vegetables in this salad on a large platter starting with the cucumber and avocado. I like to arrange the peach slices, strawberries, and tomatoes on top, then finish with mozzarella, mint, and a healthy measure of pesto drizzled (or dolloped!) on top.
- Serve immediately, cold. Return any leftovers to the fridge to keep.
Notes
Nutritional information on Whip & Wander is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 303
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 168 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 17 mg
Gusty says
this salad is SO good! fresh, savory, sweet, juicy. I omitted the avocado because I was planning on having leftovers the next day. still very good (doesn't need it, really) but I could see how an avocado could add to it!
Jenni says
Gusty, So glad you enjoyed it! I love how versatile this salad can be, and skipping the avocado is a smart move if you're planning for leftovers. It definitely adds something creamy when included, but I’m glad it still worked beautifully without. Thanks for sharing!
Carol Little R.H. @studiobotanica says
This salad is ART!! so beautiful. I love making basil pesto with walnuts and have some in my fridge right now! I don't have strawberries but do have everything else.. can't wait to try it tomorrow!!
Donny says
I don't know why but I love salads without lettuce. It's like, let's just get to the good stuff, you know! And this salad is all good stuff. So gorgeous!
Megan Stevens says
The mozzarella tastes so good with the peaches, berries and pesto! Thank you for this fun combination that really celebrates summer.
Hope Pearce says
This is such a beautiful salad, love all of the wonderful fresh ingredients. The pesto tops it off perfectly.
Astrid says
This salad is perfect! I love all of the ingredients-- music to my taste buds. I am definitely making this one soon. Thanks for putting this together.
Kelly says
Everything in this salad is perfect! The cheese and pesto give it such a savory and delicious taste!
Jean Choi says
Such a flavorful and vibrant salad! This was perfect on a hot day.
Raia says
Fruit + cheese. What more could you want? So yummy!
Kari - Get Inspired Everyday! says
This is definitely all the best of summer rolled into one salad, and I can't get enough of pesto right now!
Shannon says
Simple salads loaded with the delicious flavors of summer are my absolute fave! This is a such a beautiful salad and makes me wish summer would last for a few more months so we can keep eating all the peaches and strawberries!
Marisol Chancellor says
This is a great salad for a bbq! exactly what I wanted. Thank you
jessie says
This salad is simply stunning! I can't wait to try the combination of pesto with the peaches!