Refreshing Summer Peach Quinoa Salad with Maple Tahini Dressing & Pinot Grigio Pairing

Savor the essence of summer with this incredibly easy, vibrant, and light peach quinoa salad. It features juicy, ripe peaches, satisfyingly crunchy pecans, protein-rich quinoa, and fresh, leafy spinach, all brought together with a delectable maple tahini dressing. This recipe is perfect for a healthy lunch, a delightful dinner, or a stunning side at any summer gathering.

There’s something truly special about the bounty of a local farmer’s market, isn’t there? I often find myself wishing I could visit more frequently, to soak in the vibrant atmosphere and stock up on the freshest seasonal produce. This past weekend, however, I made it a point to go with Dan and Harper on a beautiful Saturday morning, and it was an absolute delight! The stalls were overflowing with an array of colorful fruits and vegetables, each more appealing than the last. The air was filled with the scents of fresh herbs, ripe berries, and blooming flowers, creating an irresistible sensory experience.

Everything looked so incredibly fresh and inviting that I almost wanted to buy out an entire stand and take it all home. Instead, I carefully selected some of the most succulent, juicy yellow peaches I could find, along with several bags of freshly picked, vibrant spinach. These ingredients were destined to become the star of a perfect fresh summer salad, embodying everything I love about warm-weather eating.

This Peaches ‘N’ Quinoa Salad is an ode to simplicity and natural sweetness. Crafted with only a handful of wholesome ingredients, it’s designed to keep your summer meals light, easy, and bursting with flavor. The key lies in the quality of your ingredients – especially those sweet, juicy stone fruits – and perhaps an optional, refreshing glass of white wine to complete the experience!

More Than Just Fruit: The Sweet Story Behind My Peach Connection

Do you and your siblings share any unique, endearing nicknames that only the two of you truly understand? My sister and I have a particularly sweet one: we’ve called each other “Peach” for as long as I can remember, and it’s a habit that persists to this day. What started as a playful moniker has evolved into a genuine term of endearment. We respond to it with the same natural ease and certainty as if we were using our actual names, Lauren and Rachel.

This charming tradition all began after we watched the movie “What a Girl Wants” back in 2013. If you’ve seen it, you might recall the two rather mild-mannered and somewhat quirky twins named Peach and Pear, who always spoke in perfect unison. For some reason, my sister and I decided that we were those twins – a Peach and a Pear, though we both gravitated towards “Peach.” So, it’s safe to say that peaches hold a truly special place in my heart, imbued with fond memories of sisterly affection and cinematic nostalgia.

If you’re a fellow peach enthusiast, this salad is undoubtedly crafted for you. While I generally don’t gravitate towards fruit in my savory salads, there are exceptions – and those exceptions usually involve a fruit so spectacular it completely steals the show. This salad is precisely one of those instances. It’s wonderfully fruit-forward, with a generous portion of one whole, lusciously juicy peach dedicated to each serving, ensuring every bite delivers that burst of sweet, summery flavor.

But don’t feel limited to just peaches! If you’re keen to experiment or simply don’t have peaches on hand, I’ve also successfully prepared this salad using plums and apricots. These stone fruits offer a similarly delightful sweetness and texture, creating a beautiful variation of the original. Or, if you want to lean fully into our “What a Girl Wants” inspiration, you could opt for crisp pears. While pears might lend a slightly more autumnal or sophisticated vibe, they would still make a fantastic addition, especially if you’re looking for a different kind of sweet and crunchy contrast. It’s all about enjoying what’s fresh and delicious. Okay, Peach?

Crafting the Perfect Balance: Supporting Ingredients & Flavors

The remaining ingredients in this delectable salad are purposefully simple yet highly complementary, chosen to allow the magnificent, ripe peaches to truly shine. We start with perfectly cooked quinoa – any color will do, though I often prefer white or tricolor for their subtle flavor and delicate texture. Quinoa not only adds a hearty, satisfying element to the salad but also packs a powerful punch of plant-based protein and fiber, making this meal incredibly fulfilling.

Next up is a generous amount of fresh spinach leaves. I cannot emphasize enough how crucial the freshness of your spinach is for this recipe! Please, promise me you won’t use sad, wilted, pre-packaged spinach. Seek out vibrant, crisp leaves – ideally from that farmer’s market haul – to ensure the best possible texture and flavor. If spinach isn’t your favorite, crisp arugula or a mixed greens blend can also work beautifully, adding their own unique peppery notes.

Finally, we add chopped pecans, which contribute a wonderful crunch and a buttery, earthy flavor that beautifully contrasts with the sweetness of the peaches. For an elevated layer of flavor and aroma, consider toasting your pecans beforehand. Simply spread them on a baking sheet and toast at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 8-10 minutes, until they become fragrant and lightly browned. This simple step truly enhances their nutty depth. However, if you’re short on time or prefer to keep things utterly straightforward, adding them in raw is perfectly acceptable and still delicious.

The Star of the Show: Maple Tahini Dressing

What truly brings this fresh salad masterpiece together is its sensational, light, and utterly addictive oil-free maple tahini dressing. This isn’t just any dressing; it’s a harmonious blend of flavors – slightly sweet from the maple, wonderfully tangy from the lemon, and boasting a rich, nutty depth from the tahini. It’s so incredibly balanced and flavorful, I jokingly call it “totally drinkable.” (Please don’t actually drink it, but you’ll understand why I say that once you taste it!).

The lemony zest, a subtle hint of black pepper, and the warm sweetness of maple syrup combine impeccably with the succulent, ripe peaches. Tahini, a paste made from ground sesame seeds, provides a creamy texture and a wealth of healthy fats and minerals, making this dressing not only delicious but also incredibly nutritious. If you, like me, appreciate an extra pop of citrus, don’t hesitate to add a fresh squeeze of lemon juice directly over your dressed salad just before serving. That little extra zip really brightens all the flavors.

This recipe for the maple tahini dressing yields enough for four servings, ensuring you’ll have ample opportunities to enjoy it throughout the week. It’s incredibly versatile and works wonders not only on this peach quinoa salad but also drizzled over roasted vegetables, grain bowls, or even as a flavorful dip for fresh crudités. Prepare a batch and keep it refrigerated for a quick flavor boost to any meal!

The Perfect Pairing: Pinot Grigio Harmony

I simply couldn’t resist the temptation to open a shipment of 90+ Cellars Lot 42 Pinot Grigio to pair with this vibrant salad spread! While I’ve historically leaned towards red wines, my husband Dan has developed quite an infatuation with whites recently. His enthusiasm has been so contagious that our ritual “Wine-Not-Wednesday” date nights now involve alternating between white and red varieties. These mid-week evenings are cherished moments where I skip yoga to reconnect with Dan over genuine conversation and a wonderful glass of vino.

I believe his gentle persistence, combined with the arrival of warmer weather, is finally paying off – I’ve surprisingly found myself craving crisp whites over robust reds. (Who am I becoming?!). This particular Pinot Grigio is a true gem. It’s a beautifully golden wine, medium-bodied, and offers delightful notes of ripe apple, pear, apricot, and a hint of honey. Served perfectly chilled, it’s an absolute dream on a hot summer’s day. I can confidently say it’s just PEACHY with this fresh and flavorful salad, enhancing every bite with its refreshing acidity and fruit-forward profile.

Serving Suggestions & Meal Prep Tips for Your Summer Salad

This Peaches ‘N’ Quinoa Salad is incredibly versatile and makes for a delicious and satisfying summer lunch or a light, refreshing dinner. Its vibrant colors and fresh ingredients also make it an ideal candidate for entertaining. Imagine it beautifully arranged on a large platter, serving as an elegant and healthy side salad at your next summer party or backyard barbecue. It’s always a crowd-pleaser!

If you’re looking to transform this salad into an even heartier meal, consider adding your favorite plant-based protein. Hemp seeds sprinkled on top offer a nutty flavor and a boost of omega fatty acids. Chickpeas can be roasted for added texture or simply tossed in for extra fiber and protein. Baked tofu, cut into cubes, also integrates wonderfully, providing a substantial bite. These additions ensure the salad is filling enough to stand alone as a main course.

Only serving for one? That’s often how I enjoy mine! This recipe is easily adaptable for smaller portions. Simply divide the recipe ingredients by three and use one perfectly ripe peach per serving. It’s perfect for a quick, healthy meal without any fuss.

This is undeniably one of those salads that is best enjoyed fresh, when the spinach is crisp and the peaches are at their peak sweetness. I highly recommend tossing all the ingredients together right before you plan to serve it. However, if you’re keen on meal prepping, there’s a pro-tip to keep it delicious: pack the cooked quinoa and sliced peaches at the bottom of your container, and layer the fresh spinach on top. Crucially, keep the dressing and pecans stored separately. Add them only just before you’re ready to eat to prevent any sogginess and ensure maximum freshness and crunch!

My favorite way to savor this salad is out on our patio, soaking in the summer air, with a chilled glass of Pinot Grigio by my side and my sweet Miss Harper (my dog) enjoying the sunshine with me. It’s a moment of pure bliss and simple indulgence.

Enjoy every delightful bite!

Share Your Creations!

If you have the pleasure of making this delightful Peaches ‘N’ Quinoa Salad, especially if you pair it with a crisp glass of Pinot Grigio, I would absolutely love to hear about it!

Please be sure to leave me a comment, a star rating, and a review below so I can use your valuable feedback to create even more delicious recipes for you.

Don’t forget to give me a shout on Instagram and use the hashtag #floraandvino to proudly show off your beautiful creations. I can’t wait to see them!

For more plant-based recipes and delightful wine pairings, make sure to check out my Pinterest page. It’s a treasure trove of inspiration for your next culinary adventure.

Looking for more amazing plant-based recipes with perfect wine pairings? Explore these other favorites: my Easy Raw Cashew Cheese & Rosé, the satisfying Spinach, Artichoke, & Quinoa Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms With Cabernet, and the vibrant Roasted Beet Salad with Citrus Tahini & Prosecco. Each recipe offers a unique blend of flavors and a thoughtfully chosen wine companion.

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XO Lauren

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