Bright Cherry Salad Recipe: A Joyful Summer Delight!

Sweet summer cherries burst with flavor in this tangy cherry salad recipe that combines unexpected ingredients.

Crisp greens and juicy homemade dressing make this cherry salad an absolute delight for any gathering.

Fresh ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a refreshing dish that catches everyone’s attention.

Each bite offers a perfect balance of sweet and savory notes that dance across your palate.

Chilled and light, this salad brings brightness to your table with minimal effort.

Ripe cherries provide a stunning pop of color and natural sweetness that elevates the entire dish.

You’ll love how simple yet sophisticated this recipe feels when served to friends and family.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

Calories: 290 kcal

Servings: 8

Ingredients That Power Cherry Salad

• Mixed Greens: Fresh, crisp base that adds nutritional punch and creates vibrant texture.
• Cherries: Sweet, juicy summer fruit that brings natural sweetness and gorgeous color pop.
• Avocado: Creamy element that provides healthy fats and silky smooth texture.

• Red Onions: Sharp, tangy bite that cuts through rich ingredients and adds vibrant color.
• Nuts: Crunchy texture that introduces earthy flavor and protein boost, choose toasted almonds or walnuts for best results.

• Balsamic Vinegar: Rich, complex acidic component that balances sweetness and adds sophisticated depth.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that softens vinegar's sharpness and creates smooth dressing.
• Olive Oil: Smooth binding agent that helps emulsify dressing and adds rich undertone.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that elevates and harmonizes all flavor profiles.
• Black Pepper: Subtle heat that brings warmth and complexity to overall taste.
• Goat Cheese or Feta: Tangy, creamy cheese that introduces luxurious richness and Mediterranean flair.

Tools That Make Cherry Salad Simple

• Whisk: Essential for blending dressing ingredients smoothly.
• Small bowl: Perfect for mixing vinegar, honey, and oil.
• Large mixing bowl: Needed for combining salad ingredients and tossing.
• Cutting board: Great for slicing avocado and red onions.
• Sharp knife: Required for chopping ingredients precisely.
• Serving dish or individual bowls: Used for presenting the final salad.

Toss Together a Tasty Cherry Salad

• Whip Up the Flavor Booster

Grab a small bowl and blend balsamic vinegar with honey, olive oil, a pinch of salt, and a dash of black pepper. Taste and tweak the mix until it sings with the perfect balance of sweet and tangy.

• Create the Salad Canvas

Toss together lush mixed greens with juicy cherries, creamy avocado chunks, zesty red onion slivers, and crunchy nuts in a large bowl. Gently mix to let the ingredients mingle and dance.

• Sprinkle the Creamy Crown

Scatter crumbled goat cheese or feta across the top, letting the cheese dots add a luxurious touch to your colorful creation.

• Dress and Toss

Drizzle your flavor booster all over the salad, then gently toss everything together so each bite gets a perfect coating of deliciousness.

• Serve and Enjoy

Transfer your masterpiece to a beautiful serving dish or individual plates. Dive in immediately while the salad is fresh and vibrant.

Tips to Make Your Cherry Salad Pop

• Experiment with different vinegars like apple cider or red wine vinegar to create unique flavor profiles that complement the cherries.
• Replace goat cheese with blue cheese for a more intense tangy flavor, or use vegan cheese alternatives for dairy-free diets.
• Add grilled chicken, salmon, or tofu to transform this salad into a complete meal with extra protein and substance.
• Substitute almonds with candied pecans, walnuts, or sunflower seeds for different textures and nutritional benefits, perfect for those with nut allergies.
• During winter months, swap fresh cherries with dried cherries or pomegranate seeds to maintain the sweet and tart elements of the original recipe.

Present Cherry Salad with a Fresh Look

• Picnic Perfect Plating: Serve this vibrant cherry salad on a large wooden board for a rustic, inviting presentation that makes guests feel instantly hungry.
• Protein Power-Up: Add grilled chicken breast, seared salmon, or sliced steak on top to transform this salad into a complete, satisfying main course with extra protein.
• Wine & Dine Pairing: Complement the salad's sweet and tangy flavors with a crisp white wine like sauvignon blanc or a light pinot grigio that enhances the cherry and goat cheese notes.
• Fresh Leftover Remix: Chop remaining salad ingredients and mix into a quick wrap, stuff inside a pita pocket, or blend into a refreshing cold gazpacho-style soup for a creative next-day meal.

How to Keep Cherry Salad Fresh

• Refrigerate salad components separately in airtight containers to maintain freshness for 2-3 days. Keep dressing in a sealed jar, greens in a crisp container, and cherries in a separate cool space.
• Store cheese and nuts in sealed packets to prevent moisture absorption and maintain crunchiness. Place these dry ingredients away from wet ingredients to preserve texture.
• Sprinkle cold water and gently pat mixed greens with paper towel before serving if they appear slightly droopy. Add fresh ingredients to restore salad's vibrant appearance.
• Homemade balsamic vinaigrette stays fresh for one week when refrigerated in a glass jar with tight lid. Shake well before each use to remix separated ingredients.

FAQs

• Are cherries good for this salad?

Fresh, ripe cherries work best. They provide sweet, juicy bursts of flavor and natural sweetness that perfectly complement the salad’s savory ingredients.

• Can I use different types of cherries?

Yes, both sweet and sour cherries can work. Rainier, Bing, or Montmorency cherries are excellent choices, each offering a unique flavor profile to the salad.

• How do I choose the best cherries for this recipe?

Look for cherries that are firm, glossy, and have a deep, rich color without bruises or soft spots. They should feel heavy for their size and have a fresh, vibrant stem.

• Is this salad considered healthy?

Absolutely! The salad is packed with nutrients. Cherries are rich in antioxidants, avocados provide healthy fats, nuts offer protein, and mixed greens contribute essential vitamins and minerals.

Vibrant Cherry Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Delightful cherry salad blends sweet and tangy flavors from fresh ingredients. Mediterranean-inspired dish combines crisp vegetables with ripe cherries for a refreshing culinary experience you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 can (21 oz / 595 g) cherry pie filling
• 1 can (20 oz / 567 g) crushed pineapple, drained
• 1 can (14 oz / 397 g) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 container (8 oz / 227 g) frozen whipped topping, thawed
• 2 cups mini marshmallows
• 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

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Instructions

1. Dressing Preparation: Whisk balsamic vinegar, honey, olive oil, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until harmoniously blended, balancing sweetness and tanginess.
2. Salad Composition: In a spacious mixing bowl, gently combine mixed greens, cherries, avocado slices, red onions, and toasted nuts, creating a vibrant and textural foundation.
3. Cheese Embellishment: Artfully sprinkle crumbled goat cheese or feta across the salad, allowing the creamy element to intertwine with the fresh ingredients.
4. Final Toss: Delicately drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad, using a gentle tossing technique to ensure each component is lightly and evenly coated with the flavorful vinaigrette.
5. Serving: Immediately transfer the salad to an elegant serving dish or individual portions, showcasing the fresh, dynamic textures and harmonious flavor profile at its peak moment of culinary readiness.

Notes

• Customize Dressing Balance: Adjust honey and balsamic vinegar ratios to match personal taste preferences, creating a personalized sweet-tangy profile.
• Prevent Browning Trick: Cut avocado just before serving to maintain fresh green color and prevent oxidation.
• Nut Toasting Technique: Lightly toast nuts in a dry skillet for enhanced flavor and crunchier texture, watching carefully to avoid burning.
• Cheese Temperature Tip: Allow goat cheese or feta to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before crumbling, which improves texture and spreadability.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg