Peach Spinach Salad with Zesty Basil Vinaigrette

This Peach Spinach salad has all of the best flavors going on. It’s packed with fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables, and is topped with a tasty and zesty basil vinaigrette. This summer salad is the salad of the season for sure.

Oh boy. Nothing says summer as peaches do! Peach pie, peaches and cream, peach cobbler, mmmm I am getting hungry! Does anyone else feel me? I cross my fingers every day of spring waiting for my local Trader Joe’s to get them in stock! And, then my mind goes crazy with recipe ideas.

Adding fruit to a salad is my jam. I feel like it takes the salad to a whole new level with the ripe, juicy, and sweet flavors of fruit combined with the spicy and crisp greens and other crunchy vegetables.

This salad will knock your socks off. It’s going to be on repeat this summer and you can thank me later. There’s a little bit of everything wonderful in this salad.

All you need is a few minutes to prepare your peaches, chop your veggies, and make your dressing. This sweet summer salad is filled with immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory ingredients that will make your gut happy, too!

Why I Love This Salad

It’s filled with the season’s best fruit. Peaches, avocados, and spinach are all in season during the summer months. That means they will taste their best.

It’s super healthy. All of the ingredients are on the healthiest things to eat list. I mean greens, healthy fats, fruit, and citrus, wowza! It is definitely going to fit right into your healthy eating plan.

It’s fun to make. I love assembling a salad with fun ingredients. Something about the peaches makes it more exciting to make. It’s got to be that it’s aesthetically pleasing to the eyes.

It’s a crowd-pleaser. I have made this salad numerous times and at several different events. Every single time the salad is gone before the night is over. Now that’s the kind of salad I want to bring to someone’s house! How about you?

It’s easy to find the ingredients. With peaches filling up the produce sections at the supermarkets and the stands at the Farmer’s Markets, it is crazy easy to find good quality peaches. Same with avocados and spinach.

It’s easy to serve. What I mean is that the salad pairs with almost anything. From a piece of meat to a pasta dish, to a stuffed baked potato, this salad is a great choice for any meal.

It’s the perfect balance between sweet and savory. And, who doesn’t love that combination?

The Ingredient List

For the salad you will need:

Spinach: Use baby spinach for this salad. It’s easier to work with and easier to eat.

Peaches: Find yourself a nice ripe peach that has no bruising or overly soft spots.

Blueberries: Fresh blueberries are the only way to go for this summer salad.

Avocado: You will want to use a ripe or soft avocado but watch out for too soft flesh.

Shallots: This light onion pairs perfectly with the other ingredients.

For the dressing you will need:

Extra virgin olive oil: Use a high quality olive oil to bring out the best flavors.

Apple cider vinegar: Not just delicious but it is healthy, as well.

Honey or maple syrup: This natural sweetener will help balance all of the flavors together.

Fresh basil leaves: This is a summer salad must. Fresh basil is made for salad dressings.

Fresh chives: This light green onion is perfect for salad dressings.

Garlic: Definitely use fresh garlic instead of garlic powder. It just won’t taste correct without it.

Lemon zest: You can’t have a zesty salad without lemon zest, right? I love the citrusy punch that lemon sext brings to the table.

How to Make This Peach Spinach Salad

Step one: Make the dressing. You can whisk all of the ingredients in a bowl, shake them up in a mason jar with a lid, or blend all of the ingredients in a food processor. Set the dressing aside.

Step two: Prepare the Salad. Cube the avocado, slice the peaches, mince the shallot and extra chives for garnish. Grab a medium-sized bowl and add the bed of spinach. Add all of the ingredients to the top of the greens.

Step three: Give the dressing a good shake or whisk it one more time and then pour the desired amount over the salad. Toss everything up and serve it immediately. Optionally add extra minced chives, salt, and pepper over the top.

Tips + Modifications

If you would like to prepare this salad ahead of time, the best thing is to store the salad in the fridge for up to an hour before serving. Just make sure to leave the dressing off of the salad until right before you serve it.

If you would like to add more protein to this salad, I recommend nuts such as slivered almonds, walnuts, or pecans or beans such as chickpeas.

How Healthy is This Salad?

Having a variety of fruits, vegetables, and nuts/legumes does extraordinary things for your gut health, immune system, and much more. When you fill your plate with an assortment of colorful, natural foods, you are building that healthy gut bacteria and strengthening your gut.

Pst, your gut is your second brain. It is the powerhouse of your health. Your goal should be to focus on your gut health with every bite you take.

A weak gut means weak health. This summer salad is bursting with nutrients that will benefit your belly.

Peaches: They help with digestion, decrease inflammation, build up your immune system, and contribute to clearer skin.

Spinach: These healthy leaves are probably one of the top ten beneficial foods in the world! Spinach helps boost hydration, curbs your appetite, cuts the risk of iron deficiency, strengthens your immune system, assists in baby development, supports cardiovascular health, and much more.

Avocados: They have a good source of potassium, and monounsaturated fats, are high in fiber and are rich in folate. They are great in reducing cholesterol, improving heart health, and enhancing the absorption of nutrients.

Shallots: These lighter onions are high in antioxidants, and help to improve blood sugar levels, circulation, and seasonal allergies. They are known to help with heart health and lowering cholesterol levels.

Blueberries: This fruit is probably one of the best you can consume. They are filled with so many health benefits including helping manage cholesterol and reducing blood sugar levels, they are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.

How to Store Leftovers

Spinach gets soggy if it gets wet so if you are looking to save some of the ingredients for leftovers, do not pour the dressing over the top. Instead, store each ingredient separately in the fridge until you are ready to enjoy it.

The dressing will last up to 5 days in the fridge. Keep in mind that the oil will harden. Remove the jar of dressing from the fridge about 30-45 minutes before using to allow the oil to melt. Last, give it a good stir or shake before pouring onto your salad.

Other Delicious Summer Salads to Try

Are you loving this salad? You may like this Kale Summer Salad or this Summer Tabbouleh Salad, also. I hope you enjoy this Peach and Spinach Salad as much as I do! Please comment and leave a review…I would be so grateful!

Enjoy!

XOXO

Michelle