Easy Barefoot Contessa Peach Salad Recipe: Quick Summer Joy

Barefoot Contessa’s peach salad bursts with summer’s vibrant essence, transforming simple ingredients into a symphony of flavors.

Fresh peaches dance alongside crisp ingredients, creating a delightful contrast of textures and tastes.

Sweet, tangy notes harmonize in this light and refreshing dish that sings of sunshine and relaxation.

Each carefully selected component contributes to a spectacular culinary experience that feels both elegant and approachable.

Seasonal ingredients mingle effortlessly, promising a delectable journey for your taste buds.

Bright and invigorating, this salad represents the perfect balance of simplicity and sophistication.

Prepare to elevate your summer dining with a recipe that celebrates fresh, wholesome goodness:

Why Contessa Peach Salad Is Perfect in Summer

• Refresh Your Palate: This peach salad bursts with bright, tangy flavors that dance on your tongue, creating a delightful summer symphony of taste.
• Master Quick Culinary Magic: In just 15 minutes, you'll transform simple ingredients into an elegant dish that looks and feels like a gourmet creation, perfect for impressing guests without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Texture Paradise: Crisp peach wedges meet crunchy candied walnuts, while silky dressing and soft herbs create a multi-dimensional eating experience that keeps every bite interesting and exciting.
• Summer Celebration on a Plate: This recipe captures the essence of sunny days, bringing together fresh seasonal produce and vibrant herbs that make you feel like you're enjoying a relaxed outdoor gathering with friends.

Building Blocks for Contessa Peach Salad

• Red Onion: A sharp, crisp ingredient that adds a zesty bite and provides a nice crunch to the salad.
• Peaches: Sweet, juicy summer fruit that brings a soft, ripe texture and natural sweetness to the dish.
• Fresh Basil: Bright, aromatic herb that adds a fresh, peppery note and beautiful green color.
• Fresh Mint: Cooling herb that provides a refreshing and light flavor to complement the peaches.

• White Wine Vinegar: Tangy liquid that helps balance the sweetness and adds brightness to the dressing.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that provides a smooth, gentle sweetness and helps bind the dressing.
• Dijon Mustard: Sharp condiment that adds depth and helps emulsify the dressing.
• Olive Oil: Rich, smooth oil that creates a silky texture and carries the dressing's flavors.

• Candied Walnuts: Crunchy, sweet nuts that add a caramelized texture and nutty flavor.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that enhances and balances all the other flavors in the salad.
• Black Pepper: Warm, slightly spicy seasoning that adds a gentle heat and complexity.

Steps to Make Contessa Peach Salad

Step 1: Soften Red Onion

Slice red onion super thin. Submerge in ice water for 10 minutes to mellow its sharp bite. Drain completely and pat dry with paper towels.

Step 2: Craft Tangy Dressing

• White wine vinegar
• Honey
• Dijon mustard

Slowly stream in olive oil while continuously whisking to create a smooth, emulsified dressing.

Step 3: Build Flavor Base

Add drained onion slices into the dressing. Let them marinate and soak up those zesty flavors for 5 minutes.

Step 4: Layer Fresh Ingredients

• 3 large fresh peaches, cut into wedges
• Candied walnuts
• Fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
• Fresh mint leaves, torn

Step 5: Season and Serve

Sprinkle kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Toss everything together with a light hand. Let the salad sit for 5 minutes to allow flavors to mingle. Serve chilled or at room temperature as a refreshing summer side dish.

Tips for a Delicious Contessa Peach Salad

• Preserve Herb Essence: Tear basil and mint leaves gently to maintain their vibrant color and delicate flavor, avoiding bruising from sharp knife cuts.
• Master Quick Nut Technique: Transform raw walnuts into a crunchy delight by toasting them in a dry skillet for 3-4 minutes, releasing their rich, nutty aroma.
• Select Juicy Peach Perfection: Grab peaches with deep golden-orange skin, releasing a sweet fragrance and yielding slightly to gentle pressure for maximum taste.
• Create Silky Dressing Magic: Blend honey and Dijon mustard first, then gradually stream olive oil while whisking to craft a perfectly smooth vinaigrette.
• Tame Onion's Sharp Edge: Soak red onion slices in ice water to soften their intense bite, ensuring a more pleasant and mild flavor in your salad.

Safekeeping Contessa Peach Salad

• Refrigerator Storage: Seal the entire peach salad in an airtight glass container to maintain freshness and prevent flavor absorption from other foods. Consume within 24 hours for optimal taste and texture, as peaches tend to soften quickly when dressed.
• Dressing Preservation: Separate the vinaigrette from salad ingredients to prevent wilting and maintain crisp textures. Store dressing in a sealed mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, allowing ingredients to settle naturally. Shake vigorously before each use to recombine separated elements.
• Ingredient Separation: Keep delicate salad components like herbs and sliced peaches in individual compartments to prevent premature browning and moisture buildup. Use stackable containers with divided sections, ensuring each ingredient remains pristine until serving time.

Fun Ways to Mix Up Contessa Peach Salad

• Summer Citrus Peach Remix: Swap white wine vinegar with fresh orange juice and add orange zest for a bright, tangy flavor profile that complements the sweet peaches.
• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Replace mint and basil with fresh oregano and thyme, then sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the salad for a Greek-inspired variation.
• Spicy Tropical Kick: Incorporate diced jalapeños and replace candied walnuts with toasted coconut flakes to create a zesty, tropical-inspired peach salad with unexpected heat.
• Grilled Peach Transformation: Lightly grill peach wedges before adding them to the salad, which caramelizes their natural sugars and brings a smoky depth to the dish.

Looking Back at Contessa Peach Salad

Summer’s sweetest symphony unfolds through Ina Garten’s peach salad, where culinary elegance meets fresh simplicity.

Mediterranean-inspired flavors dance across each ingredient, creating harmonious taste profiles that celebrate seasonal bounty.

Red onion’s sharp edge softens beautifully when soaked, while candied walnuts provide delightful crunch against juicy peach wedges.

Fragrant herbs like basil and mint weave complex aromatics into this refreshing dish, elevating classic summer ingredients.

White wine vinegar and honey merge into a delicate dressing that balances sweet and tangy notes perfectly.

Discovering this recipe connects you with Barefoot Contessa’s signature style – effortless yet sophisticated cuisine that invites pure gastronomic pleasure.

Drop a comment below, share this recipe with friends who adore fresh summer tastes, and let passionate cooking inspire your next culinary adventure!

Barefoot Contessa Peach Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Summer’s golden Peach Salad from Barefoot Contessa sparkles with fresh arugula, juicy peaches, and crumbled goat cheese. Sweet and peppery notes dance together, creating a light Mediterranean-inspired dish perfect for warm afternoons.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fruits:

• 6 peaches, cut into wedges

Nuts and Herbs:

• ½ cup (75 grams) chopped candied walnuts
• ¼ cup (15 grams) fresh basil
• ¼ cup (15 grams) fresh mint

Dressing and Seasonings:

• ½ thinly sliced red onion
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) olive oil
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) white wine vinegar
• 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) honey
• 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) Dijon mustard
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Deconstruct the red onion into delicate, translucent slivers and submerge in an ice water bath for precisely 10 minutes to mellow its sharp bite. Thoroughly drain and gently blot dry with clean kitchen towels.
2. Craft the vibrant vinaigrette by whisking white wine vinegar, golden honey, and piquant Dijon mustard in a spacious mixing vessel. Stream extra virgin olive oil in a steady, slow cascade while continuously whisking to emulsify the dressing into a silky consistency.
3. Introduce the prepared onion slivers into the glossy vinaigrette, allowing them to marinate and absorb the nuanced flavor profile.
4. Gently fold in ripe, juicy peach wedges, transforming the salad with their sun-kissed sweetness. Incorporate toasted candied walnuts for a delightful crunch, then scatter freshly torn basil and mint leaves to elevate the aromatic complexity.
5. Delicately toss all components until each ingredient is elegantly coated. Season with premium sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences. Perform a final, gentle fold to ensure harmonious distribution of flavors and textures.

Notes

• Enjoy this versatile salad immediately to preserve the vibrant textures and fresh herb aromas.
• Select perfectly ripe, juicy peaches from local farmers markets for an authentic summer flavor burst.
• White wine vinegar provides a delicate acidic balance that harmonizes with the sweet peach undertones.
• Customize seasoning subtly to highlight each ingredient’s unique taste without overwhelming the dish.
• Candied walnuts transform this simple salad into a gourmet experience with their sweet, crunchy contrast.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 295 kcal
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 23 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 21 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg