Go Back
Elle Cresswell

Honeyed Peach & Berry Salad with Fresh Herbs

A beautifully fresh summer salad layered with juicy ripe peaches, bursts of sweet-tart blueberries, buttery pecans, crisp cucumber, creamy salty feta, and tender seasonal lettuces, all brought together with a vibrant homemade lemon basil vinaigrette that completely steals the show.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Peach & Berry Summer Salad
  • ½ pint fresh blueberries
  • 1 –2 ripe peaches sliced (white peaches are especially lovely, though any variety works beautifully)
  • ½ English cucumber thinly sliced
  • ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
  • ¼ cup pecans roughly chopped
  • 1 head green leaf lettuce washed and torn
  • 1 head Boston lettuce washed and torn
Lemon Basil Vinaigrette
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh basil finely sliced
  • Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Salad Bowl
  • Salad Spinner
  • Chef Knife

Method
 

  1. In a mason jar, combine the lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, fresh basil, salt, and black pepper. Seal with the lid and shake until beautifully emulsified and silky smooth. Alternatively, whisk everything together in a small bowl until fully combined. Set aside until ready to serve.
  2. Wash and thoroughly dry the lettuces, then gently tear the leaves into generous bite-sized pieces, discarding any tough stems.
  3. Slice the peaches into thin wedges, removing the stones as you go.
  4. Thinly slice the cucumber into elegant rounds or half moons.
  5. Roughly chop the pecans for added crunch and texture.
  6. Crumble the feta into soft, salty pieces.
  7. Arrange the lettuces onto a large serving platter or salad bowl, then layer over the peaches, blueberries, cucumber, pecans, and feta.
  8. Drizzle generously with the lemon basil vinaigrette just before serving, allowing the fresh, vibrant flavours to shine at their absolute best.

Notes

Expert Tips for the Best Peach & Berry Summer Salad

Start with the Best Ingredients

Because this salad is built around fresh, simple produce, quality makes all the difference. Choose ripe, fragrant peaches, plump blueberries, crisp cucumber, fresh lettuces, and pecans with a rich, buttery flavour. If you can, crumble the feta yourself for a creamier texture and better flavour.

Don’t Skip the Homemade Dressing

The lemon basil vinaigrette is the detail that makes this salad feel special. It’s bright, zesty, lightly sweet, and far more vibrant than anything shop-bought. A few extra minutes here truly pays off.

Use Two Types of Lettuce

A mix of buttery Boston lettuce and crisp green leaf lettuce gives the salad more texture, structure, and flavour. One brings softness and delicacy, the other adds freshness and gentle crunch.

Wash and Dry the Leaves Properly

Clean, crisp lettuce is essential. Wash the leaves thoroughly, then dry them well before tearing into bite-sized pieces. Too much water will dilute the dressing and leave the salad feeling flat rather than fresh.

Customise with What’s in Season

This salad is gorgeous as written, but it’s also wonderfully flexible. Try adding sliced nectarines, mango, raspberries, strawberries, avocado, grilled chicken, or halloumi. It’s a beautiful way to use whatever summer fruit you have on hand.

Assemble Just Before Serving

Fresh is best here. Dress the salad right before it reaches the table so the lettuce stays crisp, the fruit remains bright, and every bite feels fresh and lively.