Full of flavours and textures, this Cherry Salad with Feta and Almonds is the perfect summer salad. Refreshing and bright, this salad takes just 10 minutes to make and brings cherries to your meal in an unexpected and tasty way!
Essentially, this recipe came about because I knew cherries could work in a salad, but also because I didn’t want to pull out (and clean) the blender.
When we think of cherries, we think of desserts and sweets; most likely either a cherry pie or a cherry clafoutis. But cherries are often used in savoury preparations as well, including sauces, glazes and vinaigrettes.
So, if cherries can be used to make vinaigrettes to dress a salad, why not just add the cherries themselves to the salad?
The resulting Cherry Salad with Feta and Almonds is fresh and summery, combining sweet, ripe cherries, peppery rocket, creamy avocado, tangy feta and crunchy toasted almonds. A simple balsamic dressing brings that savoury edge, tying all the flavours together.
You have to try the irresistible charm of a fresh cherry salad!
In this Post:
Why you’ll Love this Cherry Salad with Feta and Almonds Recipe
- Full of textures. This cherry salad has all the right textures, from juicy to creamy and nothing soggy.
- Fresh and seasonal. Take advantage of the short cherry season by using it in savoury dishes as well!
- Easy to make. The hardest part of making this salad is pitting the cherries.
- Make it a meal. If you want to make this Cherry Salad with Feta and Almonds into a more substantial meal, add a serving of salmon, chicken, pork or lamb.
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Cherry Salad with Feta and Almonds Recipe Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this sweet and tangy summer recipe:
- Rocket. The peppery flavour of rocket, also known as arugula, pairs well with the sweet cherries and salty feta. Watercress or baby spinach leaves would also make a great base for this salad.
- Cherries. The star of the show! Use any fresh cherries you prefer or can get. Just make sure they’re ripe – young or tart cherries will make the salad a little too tangy.
- Mint. Because all salads need some freshness!
- Almonds. Toasted to bring out that deep nuttiness which pairs so well with the creamy and softer ingredients of the salad.
- Feta. The briny saltiness rounds out the flavours in this salad, keeping them from being too sweet and one-note. I use Danish feta in salads, but use whichever you prefer.
- Avocado. Adds a savoury creaminess.
- The dressing. For this simple salad dressing you’ll need balsamic vinegar, mustard, honey, olive oil and just a touch of salt (depending on the saltiness of your feta).
Find the exact quantities in the recipe card below.
How to Make this Cherry Salad with Feta and Almonds Recipe
After spending some time pitting the cherries, the rest of the salad comes together easily and quickly.
- Prepare the dressing. Make the dressing by whisking together all the dressing ingredients, or alternatively, putting all the ingredients in a jar and shaking it until the dressing emulsifies.
- Prep the rest of the ingredients. Toast the almonds, pit and halve the cherries, thinly slice the mint and slice or cube the avocado.
- Dress the rocket. Place the rocket into the serving bowl and drizzle over 2-3 tablespoons of dressing and mix.
- Assemble the salad. Layer the cherries, mint, almonds, feta and avocado over the rocket.
- Toss the salad. Mix the salad well and serve with extra dressing for those who would like it.
You can serve this Cherry Salad with Feta and Almonds as a light lunch for two or as a side salad to some salmon, chicken, pork or lamb.
Love loaded salads? Try these recipes too:
- Fig and Blood Orange Salad
- Mandarin and Chickpea Salad with Halloumi
- Pomelo and Salmon Vermicelli Noodle Salad
- Cauliflower Salad with Yogurt Dressing
- Blood Orange, Beet and Burrata Salad with Hot Honey
- Plum and Salmon Salad
Have you made this Cherry Salad with Feta and Almonds yet? Be sure to leave a comment and let me know. Or take a pic and tag me over on Instagram, I love seeing what you guys are making from the blog!
Cherry Salad with Feta and Almonds
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Balsamic Vinaigrette
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoons honey
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
For the Cherry Salad
- 2 tablespoons almonds, toasted
- 1 cup cherries, pitted and halved
- 6 mint leaves, thinly sliced
- ½ avocado, sliced or cubed
- 100 g rocket
- 20 g feta, crumbled
Instructions
- Start by making the balsamic vinaigrette. Combine the balsamic, honey, Dijon mustard and salt and pepper in a small mixing bowl, then whisk in the olive oil until the dressing emulsifies. Alternatively, you can add all the dressing ingredients to a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake until emulsified. Set aside.¼ cup balsamic vinegar, 1 teaspoons honey, 1 teaspoon dijon mustard, ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt, ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- Toast the almonds if they’re not already in a small dry frying pan and set aside. Pit the cherries using either a cherry pitter, a chop stick or your fingers then halve each cherry. Finley slice the mint and slice or cube the avocado.2 tablespoons almonds, 1 cup cherries, 6 mint leaves, ½ avocado
- When ready to serve, combine the rocket with 2-3 tablespoons of the balsamic dressing in a salad bowl. Then add the cherries, mint, almonds, feta and avocado to the rocket and mix well.100 g rocket, 20 g feta
- Serve, with extra dressing for those who would like it.
