If you are looking to elevate your salad game with something that bursts with summer flavors, the Grilled Peach Caprese Salad Recipe is your new best friend. This vibrant dish combines juicy, smoky grilled peaches with creamy mozzarella, fresh basil, and sweet cherry tomatoes, all brought together by a tangy balsamic vinaigrette. It’s a delightful celebration of textures and colors that will brighten any meal, whether it’s a weekday lunch or a weekend gathering.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe relies on a handful of fresh, simple ingredients that work beautifully together to create a balanced flavor profile and gorgeous presentation. Each component adds its own unique touch to the salad, from the juicy peaches to the aromatic basil.
- Balsamic vinegar: Adds a rich, tangy sweetness that ties the salad together.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Provides a silky smooth base for the vinaigrette and enhances the peaches when grilling.
- Dijon mustard: Brings a subtle sharpness that lifts the dressing.
- Salt and fresh ground black pepper: Essential for seasoning and balancing flavors.
- Peaches: Fresh, ripe peaches are perfect for grilling and bring a caramelized sweetness.
- Spray oil: Helps prevent peaches from sticking to the grill, ideally olive oil for flavor consistency.
- Mozzarella balls: Small, creamy mozzarella adds a luscious texture contrast.
- Cherry tomatoes: Juicy and slightly acidic, they brighten the salad flavors.
- Fresh basil leaves: Bring a fragrant, herbal freshness that’s classic in Caprese dishes.
- Prosciutto: Adds a wonderful savory and salty depth to the salad.
- Spring greens mix: Light and crisp, the greens serve as the perfect base to hold all these flavors.
How to Make Grilled Peach Caprese Salad Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Vinaigrette
Start by whisking together the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper in a small jar or bowl. This vinaigrette is the flavor anchor for your salad, infusing everything with a vibrant, tangy lushness. Set it aside to let the flavors meld as you prep the other ingredients.
Step 2: Prep the Peaches for Grilling
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat while you cut each peach into quarters, carefully removing the pits. Lightly spray all the peach wedges with olive oil to prevent sticking and to encourage caramelization. These grilled peaches will bring a smoky, juicy sweetness that’s absolutely irresistible.
Step 3: Grill the Peaches
Place the peach wedges flesh side down on the grill and cook for 3 minutes to achieve beautiful grill marks and a caramelized surface. Flip them over and grill the other side for another 3 minutes. Once grilled, transfer the peaches to a plate to cool slightly—this resting period intensifies their flavor and ensures they don’t overpower the salad’s fresh elements.
Step 4: Toss the Greens
Meanwhile, toss your spring greens in the vinaigrette until they are lightly coated. This not only adds delicious flavor but also gives the salad a nice glossy finish. Spread the dressed greens onto a large platter or divide them evenly onto individual plates to serve as a fresh bed for the toppings.
Step 5: Assemble the Salad
Now comes the fun part! Scatter the mozzarella balls, halved cherry tomatoes, roughly chopped basil leaves, and prosciutto over the greens. Finally, artfully arrange the grilled peaches on top and drizzle any remaining vinaigrette as desired. Serve immediately to enjoy the perfect interplay of warm peaches and cool mozzarella.
How to Serve Grilled Peach Caprese Salad Recipe
Garnishes
To make your Grilled Peach Caprese Salad Recipe extra special, consider a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts or a few shavings of Parmesan. A drizzle of honey over the peaches can enhance their natural sweetness, and a few flakes of flaky sea salt can add an elegant crunch that will excite your taste buds.
Side Dishes
This salad pairs wonderfully with a crusty baguette or some garlic bread for soaking up every last drop of vinaigrette. For a more substantial meal, serve alongside grilled chicken or seafood—especially shrimp or scallops—to keep the light, summery vibe going strong at your table.
Creative Ways to Present
For a stunning presentation, try layering the salad ingredients inside a clear glass bowl or mason jar for a lunch-on-the-go option. Alternatively, serve it family-style on a large wooden board, allowing guests to build their own plates. Using skewers with alternating peach, mozzarella, and basil leaves also makes a fun appetizer version that’s perfect for parties.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover Grilled Peach Caprese Salad Recipe, store the components separately in airtight containers. Keep the greens and vinaigrette refrigerated apart from the peaches, mozzarella, and prosciutto to maintain freshness and texture. This will help prevent sogginess and preserve each ingredient’s best quality.
Freezing
This salad is best enjoyed fresh, as freezing will alter the texture of the peaches, mozzarella, and greens significantly. If you want to prepare ahead, only make the vinaigrette in advance and grill peaches on the day of serving. Avoid freezing for the freshest taste and appearance.
Reheating
Since this salad is intended to be served fresh, reheating is not recommended. The grilled peaches can be quickly warmed on a grill or stovetop if desired, but the rest of the salad should remain chilled and fresh for the best flavor experience.
FAQs
Can I use canned or frozen peaches instead of fresh?
Fresh peaches are ideal for this recipe because of their firm texture and natural sweetness that holds up well when grilled. Canned or frozen peaches are usually too soft and can become mushy, so fresh is highly recommended.
What can I substitute for prosciutto?
If you want a vegetarian version, you can omit the prosciutto or replace it with marinated artichokes or roasted red peppers for added flavor. For another protein option, thinly sliced smoked turkey or chicken can work nicely.
Is there a vegan alternative for the mozzarella?
Absolutely! You can use vegan mozzarella or cashew-based cheese alternatives found at many grocery stores. They provide a similar creamy element without dairy.
Can I prepare the salad in advance?
You can prep the vinaigrette and grill the peaches a few hours ahead, but it’s best to assemble the salad just before serving to keep the greens and cheese fresh and vibrant.
What kind of grill should I use for the peaches?
An outdoor charcoal or gas grill works great, but you can also use a grill pan on your stovetop if you don’t have access to an outdoor grill. The key is getting good heat for caramelization without burning the peaches.
Final Thoughts
This Grilled Peach Caprese Salad Recipe is truly a shining star for anyone who loves fresh, bright flavors with a touch of sophistication. It brings together the best of summer’s bounty in a dish that’s easy to prepare yet impressive to serve. I can’t wait for you to try it and see just how delicious simple ingredients can be when combined with a little grilling magic and love.
Print
Grilled Peach Caprese Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Total Time: 16 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Grilled Peach Caprese Salad is a delightful and refreshing twist on the classic Caprese. Featuring juicy, smoky grilled peaches combined with fresh mozzarella, sweet cherry tomatoes, aromatic basil, and savory prosciutto, all tossed with a tangy balsamic vinaigrette, this salad is a perfect blend of sweet, savory, and fresh flavors. Ideal for a light lunch or an elegant starter during summer gatherings.
Ingredients
For the Vinaigrette
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard
- Dash of salt
- Dash of fresh ground black pepper
For the Salad
- 4 peaches, pitted and quartered
- Spray oil (such as olive oil spray)
- 8 ounces small mozzarella balls, liquid drained
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1–2 bunches fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped (about 15 leaves)
- 4 ounces prosciutto
- 4–6 cups spring greens mix
Instructions
- Prepare Vinaigrette: Combine balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, dijon mustard, salt, and fresh ground black pepper in a small jar or bowl. Whisk or shake well until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed. Set aside.
- Preheat Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high. Meanwhile, slice and pit the peaches so each is cut into 4 wedges. Lightly spray the peaches with olive oil or another cooking spray to prevent sticking and enhance grilling.
- Grill Peaches: Place peaches skin-side down on the grill and cook for 3 minutes. Carefully flip and grill the flesh side for an additional 3 minutes. Once grilled, remove peaches and let them rest slightly to cool while preparing the salad.
- Toss Greens with Vinaigrette: Place spring greens in a large bowl and toss with enough vinaigrette to lightly coat all leaves. Then transfer the dressed greens to a serving platter or individual plates.
- Assemble Salad: Arrange grilled peaches, mozzarella balls, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped basil, and prosciutto slices over the dressed greens. Drizzle any remaining vinaigrette over the top if desired. Serve immediately for best flavor and freshness.
Notes
- To enhance peach sweetness, choose ripe but firm peaches that will hold their shape during grilling.
- If you don’t have a grill, peaches can be lightly seared in a hot skillet with a bit of oil for similar results.
- The prosciutto adds a salty contrast, but can be omitted for a vegetarian version.
- Make sure to drain the mozzarella balls well to avoid excess moisture in the salad.
- Serve this salad immediately after assembling to maintain the contrast between warm peaches and cool greens.
