If you’re on the lookout for a salad that feels like a celebration of fresh summer flavors and creamy indulgence, the Peach Burrata Salad with Toasted Pecans and Balsamic Glaze Recipe is your perfect go-to. This dish marries the juicy sweetness of ripe peaches with luscious burrata cheese, all lifted by the crunch of toasted pecans and the tangy depth of balsamic glaze. It’s a stunning combination that’s as vibrant on the plate as it is on the palate, making it an ideal choice for everything from casual lunches to elegant dinners.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this salad plays a star role, keeping the dish beautifully balanced and bursting with texture and flavor. From the fresh peaches to the creamy burrata, and that irresistible crunch from toasted pecans, each component is essential to achieving this harmonious taste experience.
- Ripe peaches: Choose peaches that are fragrant and slightly soft for maximum sweetness and juiciness.
- Burrata cheese: Its creamy interior adds a delightful richness that contrasts perfectly with the fresh fruits and greens.
- Mixed greens: A blend of arugula, spinach, or your favorite greens provides a fresh, peppery base that keeps the salad light and crisp.
- Toasted pecans: Adds a beautiful crunch and nutty flavor—toast them lightly to bring out their aroma.
- Olive oil: Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil to gently dress the salad, adding smoothness and depth.
- Balsamic vinegar: Gives a perfect tangy counterpoint that brightens the sweetness of the peaches.
- Honey: A touch of honey balances the acidity and deepens the overall flavor profile.
- Salt and pepper: Simply essential to enhance every ingredient.
- Balsamic glaze: For drizzling at the end, it adds a glossy, rich finish that ties everything together beautifully.
How to Make Peach Burrata Salad with Toasted Pecans and Balsamic Glaze Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dressing and Greens
Begin by tossing the mixed greens in a large bowl with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper. This simple dressing lightly coats the greens, giving them a subtle sweetness and tang that harmonizes with the juicy peaches and creamy burrata later on.
Step 2: Arrange Your Salad Base
Spread the dressed greens evenly across a serving platter or individual plates. This not only provides a vibrant green canvas but also helps to evenly distribute the flavors with every forkful.
Step 3: Add Peaches and Burrata
Next, layer the sliced peaches over the greens. The juicy peaches introduce a burst of fresh, natural sweetness that beautifully complements the burrata. Tear the burrata into generous chunks and scatter it around the salad, letting its creamy texture melt into the fresh elements.
Step 4: Sprinkle Toasted Pecans
Sprinkle the toasted pecans over the salad to introduce a satisfying crunch and a toasty, nutty depth. This contrast in texture elevates the entire eating experience, making the salad feel special and well-rounded.
Step 5: Finish with Balsamic Glaze
Drizzle a glossy balsamic glaze all over the salad to add an intense syrupy sweetness and attractively shiny finish. Feel free to give the salad a final seasoning with a pinch more salt and pepper if you want to fine-tune the taste.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
This salad is best served immediately to enjoy the fresh textures and flavors at their peak. Once plated, dig in and savor the wonderful combination of creamy, sweet, crunchy, and tangy elements.
How to Serve Peach Burrata Salad with Toasted Pecans and Balsamic Glaze Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra touch of freshness and color, consider adding a few fresh basil leaves or a light sprinkle of cracked pink peppercorns. They add a fragrant herbal note and subtle spice without overpowering the delicate flavors.
Side Dishes
This salad pairs beautifully with grilled chicken or fish for a light summer meal. Alternatively, serve alongside crusty bread or crostini to scoop up every last bite and soak in the balsamic glaze and oils.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress your guests? Serve this salad layered in individual clear bowls to show off all the colorful ingredients, or place burrata balls beside sliced peaches on a rustic wooden board for a relaxed yet elegant appetizer.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Because this salad features fresh ingredients and delicate cheese, it’s best to store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and consume within a day. Keep the balsamic glaze separate to drizzle just before serving again to maintain freshness.
Freezing
This particular Peach Burrata Salad with Toasted Pecans and Balsamic Glaze Recipe is not suitable for freezing due to the fresh fruits and creamy burrata, which lose their texture and flavor upon thawing.
Reheating
No reheating needed here! Fresh and cool is the way to enjoy this salad. If you want to warm any accompanying dishes or sides, do so separately to keep the salad ingredients fresh and vibrant.
FAQs
Can I use other nuts instead of pecans?
Absolutely! Toasted almonds or walnuts make excellent substitutes and bring their own unique crunch and flavor that complement the salad wonderfully.
Is burrata difficult to find?
While burrata is a specialty cheese, many grocery stores with good cheese sections carry it. Alternatively, fresh mozzarella can be used, but burrata’s creamy center is definitely worth seeking out for this recipe.
Can I make this salad vegan?
To make this salad vegan, swap out burrata for a plant-based cheese or creamy avocado chunks. Also, be sure your balsamic glaze doesn’t contain any animal-derived ingredients.
How ripe should the peaches be?
Look for peaches that yield slightly when gently pressed, with a fragrant aroma—this ensures they are juicy and sweet, which balances the creamy burrata beautifully.
Can I prepare any parts of the salad ahead of time?
You can toast the pecans and make the dressing in advance, but it’s best to slice the peaches and assemble the salad just before serving to keep everything fresh and vibrant.
Final Thoughts
If you want a salad that feels fresh, sophisticated, and truly satisfying, the Peach Burrata Salad with Toasted Pecans and Balsamic Glaze Recipe should definitely find a place on your table. Its blend of textures and bright flavors brings a burst of joy to every bite, and it’s so simple to put together that you’ll be reaching for this recipe again and again. Give it a try—you’ll thank me later!
Print
Peach Burrata Salad with Toasted Pecans and Balsamic Glaze Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Peach Burrata Salad is a fresh and creamy dish perfect for a light lunch or a fancy appetizer. Juicy ripe peaches paired with soft burrata cheese, mixed greens, crunchy toasted nuts, and a sweet balsamic glaze combine to create a refreshing and elegant salad bursting with flavors and textures.
Ingredients
Salad
- 2 ripe peaches, sliced
- 1 ball of burrata cheese
- 4 cups mixed greens (arugula, spinach, or your favorite greens)
- 1/4 cup toasted pecans or almonds
Dressing
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Balsamic glaze for drizzling
Instructions
- Prepare the greens: In a large bowl, toss the mixed greens with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper until lightly coated, ensuring an even distribution of the dressing.
- Arrange the salad base: Transfer the dressed greens onto a serving platter or divide among individual plates as preferred for a neat presentation.
- Add peaches and cheese: Top the greens evenly with the sliced ripe peaches. Then, break the burrata cheese into chunks and place them gently over the peaches and greens.
- Incorporate crunch: Sprinkle the toasted pecans or almonds over the salad to add a satisfying texture contrast.
- Drizzle balsamic glaze: Finish by drizzling a generous amount of balsamic glaze over the top for sweetness and visual appeal. Add extra salt and pepper if desired to enhance flavor.
- Serve: Serve the salad immediately to enjoy the freshness of the ingredients and the creamy texture of burrata at its best.
Notes
- Use ripe, juicy peaches for the best flavor and texture.
- To toast nuts, place them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- Substitute balsamic glaze with a reduction of balsamic vinegar if unavailable.
- For a nut-free version, omit pecans or almonds.
- Serve immediately as burrata can soften and lose texture if left sitting too long.
