This summertime salad features ruby red Bing cherries. It’s rounded out with spicy arugula and some of my favorite Middle Eastern ingredients—couscous and pistachios. I added celery for some complementary crunch and goat cheese for a creamy component.
Homemade balsamic vinaigrette brings these unlikely ingredients together. This green salad is light, filling and very refreshing.
I’m stuck on the slow summer wavelength. You, too? Let’s embrace it. Let’s sit in the shade and watch the sun go down. Sip on cold drinks. Hop in the pool. Play board games on the porch. Stretch at yoga class. Maybe even do less work (and not feel bad about it). Let’s fill up on big, fresh salads, too. Salads like this cherry stunner you see here.
I’ve been eating big bowls of this salad for lunch over the past week. It’s a flexible recipe. Use any sweet cherry, or try another stone fruit like sliced plum or peach. Feel free to substitute quinoa for the couscous, if you’d like (check the notes for details). Three cheers for summer salads!
Cherry Couscous & Arugula Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Author: Cookie and Kate
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Salad
A delightful summer salad featuring fresh cherries, arugula, pistachios and goat cheese (optional) tossed in a simple balsamic vinaigrette. Feel free to substitute pearl couscous for the fine couscous shown here, or quinoa to make the salad gluten free (cook according to package directions and proceed to step 2).
Ingredients
Couscous
- ¾ cup whole wheat couscous
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon fine salt
- Several twists of freshly ground black pepper
Balsamic vinaigrette (this makes extra)
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup or agave nectar
- Generous amount freshly ground black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon fine salt
Salad
- 4 big handfuls arugula
- ½ pound cherries (about 2 big handfuls), pitted, halved and quartered
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 3 ounces goat cheese, crumbled (to yield about ⅓ cup crumbled goat cheese)
- ⅓ cup shelled pistachios or almonds (choose slivered or sliced almonds and you can skip the chopping step)
Instructions
- To make the couscous: Bring ¾ cup water to boil in a small saucepan. Once it’s boiling, remove the pan from heat and pour in the couscous, olive oil, sea salt and a few twists of freshly ground black pepper. Stir, cover and let rest for 5 minutes. Remove the lid, fluff the couscous with a fork and set it aside for later.
- To make the dressing: Whisk together all of the vinaigrette ingredients in a small bowl until emulsified.
- To toast the nuts: In a skillet over medium-low heat, toast the nuts, tossing frequently, until fragrant, about 3 to 6 minutes. Remove from heat and use a chef’s knife to chop the nuts into small pieces.
- To compose the salad: In a large serving bowl, combine the arugula, cooled couscous, sliced cherries, chopped celery, crumbled goat cheese and chopped nuts. Drizzle with enough vinaigrette to lightly coat the greens (you might only need half of the dressing) and toss to combine. Serve immediately.
Notes
Why buy organic? Conventionally grown celery, cherries and leafy greens are notoriously high in pesticide residues.
Make it vegan: Skip the goat cheese and substitute maple syrup or agave nectar for the honey in the dressing.
Make it gluten free: Substitute cooked quinoa for the couscous.
Storage suggestions: For best results, store the dressing separately from the greens and toss just before serving.
Change it up: Feel free to substitute sliced peaches, plums or nectarines for the cherries. You can also use spinach in place of the arugula.
Prepare in advance: You can cook the grains and whisk together the dressing. Store them in the refrigerator, covered, until you’re ready to serve.
Recommended equipment: A cherry pitter makes pitting cherries a much more pleasant experience. I love this cherry pitter by Oxo.
More of my favorite cherry recipes: Check out my vegan cherry chocolate cake, rainier cherry mojito and balsamic stone fruit sundae.
Vegetable enthusiast. Dog lover. I'm probably making a big mess in my Kansas City kitchen right now. 
latanya
I’m craving some kiwi right now.
Sara
Looks delicious! This is my first summer outside the South in many years, and I’m craving some good Alabama or Georgia peaches. In the meantime, California strawberries will have to do!
Phi @ The Sweetphi Blog
Ok, so I initially came to this post about the salad (which looks insanely delicious)…and then found out that a giveaway was happening too? How awesome!! This summer I’m all about fresh fruit, peaches in particular, I just can’t get enough of them. I’ve been eating them with every meal -breakfast/oatmeal with peaches, lunch/peaches on a salad, dinner/grilled peaches and pork, dessert/peach pie !!! And the cookbook that’s with the giveaway – I’ve been wanting that!!!! Anyway, thank you so much for your always amazing blog and for doing this giveaway :)
Kate
Thank you, Phi!
Ewa
Love this salad and your wonderful blog in general! Going to be making the Quinoa Tabouli for a pool party tomorrow :)
That being said, this summer I am craving frozen desserts! Like your salted peanut butter and honey ice cream.
Thanks for all of your inspiration.
Kate
Thank you, Ewa!
Kendra
I have been craving more salads that feel like real meals, not punishments for indulging (like the salad you posted here!). I’ve been craving the time to go through your blog and find more salads like this.
Neil
I’m craving this and some of that Peanut Butter Honey ice cream!
Michelle
I’m craving a blueberry/milk slushie. I remember my aunt used to drop a handful of the delicious summer berries into a glass of milk and set it in the freezer. After a few hours, viola!, a cool treat was ready to enjoy. Only now I don’t like cow’s milk. I may make it with the fresh goat’s milk yogurt I get from a local dairy.
I love your recipes & photos! Keep up the good work!
Kate
That sounds interesting! I’ve never had a milk slushie. Thank you, Michelle, for commenting! Glad you enjoy my recipes!
Kira - HealthAble Old Soul
I am craving a large, green salad with “rainbow vegetables” as my ‘cherry’ on top. (Rainbow vegetables meaning eating every color of vegetable ‘red through purple’ on top of my salad to get the benefits and nutrition from all the fresh summer vegetables around my town! Plus, whole foods ROCKS MY WORLD!
Mel
Fresh heirloom tomatoes from the garden!
Norah
Perfectly ripe local peaches!
Erika C.
Mango Nectarines. Oh, how I crave them!!
Gwyneth
My goodness, this looks fantastic! I’ve been waiting for an excuse to stop by my neighborhood cherry stand… I think this is it!
As far as summer cravings go, I’m absolutely craving watermelon and blueberries all the time these days (my giftcard would almost assuredly be spent on mountains of Oregon blueberries at WFs!). And Salt and Straw ice cream, in Portland! So good.
Kristin
Corn (straight from the cob) and fresh cherry tomatoes are top of my craving list right now. I cannot get enough!
Diane
I am craving all sorts of sweet, juicy fruits: peaches, nectarines, cherries + lovely salads & herbal or green teas with a splash of oat milk. I would love to win not only for the gift card, but for the cookbook. I am currently in treatment for cancer so I am trying to cook even healthier than pre diagnosis. That book looks wonderful…By the way, your posts are good fun…
Kate
Diane, thank you! I hope your treatment is going well. Thinking of you.
Carolsue
I am craving peaches, cherries and most of all, the tomatoes that are ripening in our garden!
Amanda
I’m going to have to go with watermelon! After a nice mountain bike ride… yup, watermelon!!
Emmett
I’ve been craving watermelon. Have had watermelon as part of my breakfast for the past few days too! This recipe looks amazing and I even think I have everything I’d need for it now. Might need to be dinner tomorrow…
Helen
I’ve been obsessed with berries this summer, and craving Rainier cherries!
Miss Anne
I’m craving peaches and cherries! I love the fresh fruit of the season!
meredith
Im craving watermelon – the season is almost here – we have watermelon now but they arent yet the really good summer watermelons!
Thefolia
cherries especially yummy yellow ones are always a summertime love of mine. Also ripe peaches that when you bite into them juice ouzes down to your chin. Thanks for sharing this delicious salad recipe…I will certainly need my little sous chefs in the making to help with the pitting of the cherries. Happy Nesting.
Lisa Brown
i am craving a peach cobbler or peach sherbert.
blair
I’m craving fruit smoothies!
Meg
Salads! And this one was great! Love your blog…yum.
Kate
Thank you, Meg! :)
Jennifer A.
I’ve been craving strawberries! We just started growing some on our balcony; cannot wait to try them! : )
Kathleen
I’m craving heirloom tomatoes and ripe peaches! Love your blog…and have loved everyone of the recipes I have tried!
Kate
Thank you, Kathleen! I’m glad you’re enjoying the recipes!
Katy
I am craving tons and tons of sweet corn!
Dandi D
I’m craving cantaloupe, so I wish the melons in our garden would hurry up and get ripe!
Michelle
Craving a glass of Rose’ and a dozen briny oysters!
Abby
This summer is the summer of popsicles for me, and I’m craving Greek yogurt popsicles with fresh local berries.
Kate
Sounds perfect! I have a recipe for that. :) https://cookieandkate.com/2012/roasted-berry-and-honey-yogurt-popsicles/
Abby
Perfect! Thanks!
Claire
I crave fresh green beans and berries! I love berry season!
Maria
I’m craving fresh picked berries
Dani
Peaches and berries!
Talia
as a midwestern girl, I’m always craving grilled corn on the cob!
Nicole B.
I’ve been craving raspberry sorbet – I can’t see to get enough of it this summer. My husband and I are really trying to eat healthy and bringing yummy salads to work is a regular. We’re always looking for a new recipe to keeps things unique and interesting. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity and recipe!
Cara
Craving every variety of cherry tomato picked fresh from a backyard garden!
Rachel O.
This summer I’ve been craving watermelon like crazy! I live in Seattle, but used to reside in the South and watermelon is just not quite the same up here (and insanely more expensive!). CHERRIES, however, are aplenty here in the Pacific Northwest, so this salad will definitely go on my to-make list! Looks delicious!
lisatberry
I’m graving cherries, peaches, corn and my favorite heirloom tomatoes. I could live happily all summer on these.
Ashleigh
It’s weird, ever since we got corn on the cob for our fourth of July barbeque, I could NOT get enough of it! I ate leftover corn on the cob everyday last week! I also have a huge craving for blueberries and DEFINITELY watermelon. My mom and I finished an entire quarter of a watermelon the other day. And if that wasn’t enough, I’ve been eating mangoes like they’re a new foreign delicacy and I’m in love with peanut butter and banana fake ice cream blended in the blender.
Courtney
Like so many others, I am craving fruit this summer! I didn’t used to pay attention to what fruit is in season, but now I know the glory of a peach in the summertime and apples in the fall!
Dominique
I am craving summer fruits. Getting them from the store or farmer’s market is great but we are trying to grow some of our own moving forward. It’s rather exciting to be able to pick your own!
Annette
I’m craving fresh fruit like blueberries and peaches.
Stephanie
We are craving cherry clafoutis (someday I will manage to recreate my French grandmother’s recipe) and cherries in kirsch (your bourbon recipe inspired us to make something similar). We’re also craving tomatoes fresh from our small urban garden. There are few things in life better than a fresh cut tomato sprinkled with sea salt.
Jessica
I have some beautiful organic cherries from Whole Foods in my refrigerator right now! I have been craving lots of stone fruits-grilled, on salads, topping vegetarian burgers, in crumbles, with yoghurt, or just plain. Also I have been eating a lot of delicious crunchy, hydrating salads with all of the different varieties of lettuces and greens I’ve been receiving through my CSA.
Katie
I’m craving watermelon – so great for summer!
Kristen
I’ve been craving peaches and plums.
Emi
Fruit! Pineapple, Berries, Cherries, you name it–if it’s fruit, I want it!
Lori
To be honest, I have been craving naps- but since this is a food blog I am guessing the “crave” should be somewhat related. In that case, my crave lately has been horseradish….. Weird huh.
Calli
I am craving cherries and peaches!
Jackie
Thank you so much for all the great ideas. I just recently discovered your blog and I’m addicted.
What am I craving? Hmmm…. A low carb Mac and cheese… As well as a pitcher of a beautiful red sangria.
Kate
Welcome to my site, Jackie! Glad you found it!
Katie
Love this post! I was looking for something delicious and light for a ‘detox’ dinner after guests were in town for the weekend! Awesome!
Kate
Thanks, Katie! Glad you enjoyed the salad!
Eliesje
I crave all summer fruit: cherries, peaches, nectarines, plums, etc. MMmmmm…. I love fruit! Too bad it is so expensive. Thank you for an opportunity to win a gift card to offset the cost of my fruit cravings. :)
debbie
Every morning I eat plain Greek yogurt with fresh blueberries and homemade pumpkin granola. I crave it all day long. I’m craving it right now!
Amber
What a great way to use cherries! (Though I have a hard time getting them past my mouth and into a recipe when I take them out of the bag!).
One of my favorite summer indulgences is vine-ripened heirloom tomatoes in all sizes and colors! Right off the plant or chilled, sliced, and drizzled with fresh basil pesto.
sara
Those cherries look amazing! But I am craving really good local sweet corn. :)
kelli heidtmann
I am craving a chicken and apricot curry hand pie from the best vendor at the port townsend Washington farmer’s market—CRUST
can’t wait for Saturday to go get one
Purnima Barve
I am craving summer fruit.
Laura
I love blackberry season and I’m craving blackberry pies.
Laura
I have been craving juicy strawberries all summer – I can’t stop buying them. So good. (ps – I’ve sometimes been baking those strawberries with your crisp topping from your strawberry rhubarb crisp – even better!)
Kate
Oh yum!
Amy
Utah peaches! Always a treat at the end of a summer! Can’t wait!
laurasmess
Cherries are ridiculously expensive back home, so I’ve never really thought to experiment much with them. BUT… here in the northern hemisphere, they’re everywhere!! And cheap! I am rather excited to try this gorgeously wholesome, colourful combination Kate! I can imagine how good the juicy cherries would be with the goats cheese and pistachios. Yum! Another amazing recipe, salad queen! xxx
Kate
Thank you, sweet Laura! I hope you love the salad!
Anne
Oh how I love how you help me use my produce! I would like to praise the celery in this one–perfect addition of crunch and that “green” flavor. Everything else in it was great, too, but celery so rarely gets praised so I want to give it a shout out.
Kate
Thanks, Anne! I’m glad you appreciated the celery. It’s totally underrated!
Ella
Hey Kate!
We just made this with the very last of the local cherries (sob, sob!). I subbed tri-color quinoa for couscous, walnuts for almonds (we were out of almonds. How are we out of almonds?!), fresh corn for celery (nobody in my family appreciates celery, myself included), and agave for the honey. My mom hates goat cheese but my dad and I LOVE it- it’s the only non vegan thing other than honey that I will gladly make an exception for. So I set aside some for her and dumped a whole big bunch of goat cheese in for the rest of us :). It was awesome! Love how the tart balsamic played with the cherries and the corn! And, as always, when my dad asked who this recipe was from- “Slaw Lady.” “Ahah! Slaw Lady! She knows what she’s doing.” HAHA!
My mom wants to add that she thinks yellow bell peppers would be a nice addition as well. We will have to give that a go with next summer’s produce. Thanks for another stellar recipe!
http://www.youtube.com/sparklesandsuch26
Kate
Thanks, Ella! Glad this salad got some thumbs’ up from your family! Your substitutions sound great. Bell pepper would make up for celery’s crunch. I think veggie plates ruined celery for most people. I don’t particularly like it plain, but I really love it chopped up in salads!
Lorel
Hi Kate! I’d really like to try this, but I’d have to adapt this for the fall season, since all the cherries are gone. I was thinking subbing kalamata olives for saltiness instead of sweetness, or a fall fruit like apples. What do you think?
By the way, I’ve been following your blog for a while now and have tried many of your recipes–all great! I’m currently devouring your pumpkin muffins without moderation…!
Kate
Thanks, Lorel! Good question! I bet apples would be nice, or kalamata olives for a simple Greek-flavored salad. Pears would be good, too! Glad to hear you’re enjoying my recipes!
Kate Ryan
Just had this for dinner and it was just as amazing as it looked!
Kate
Hooray! Thanks, Kate!
Talya
Firstly I love your blog! I actually learned to love to cook because of it! Your recipes are so easy to follow and they are so varied and filled with easy-to-find and tasty ingredients!
I have made this salad before and it was delicious!!
Cherries aren’t in season anymore, you think blueberries would be a good substitute?
Kate
Thank you so much, Talya! That’s fantastic to hear. :) I bet this salad would be awesome with peaches, blueberries or strawberries!
Kelley
I got a big beautiful bag of cherries at the store this weekend and was wondering what to do with them. How great to see this recipe in your “What to cook this June” round-up. The flavors are wonderful and it’s exactly what I was craving on this hot June evening.
Also, your cookbook also arrived in my mailbox this week. I love it! I’ve already made the mango yogurt with coconut muesli, as well as the Greek nachos. Thanks for writing such a gorgeous book!
Kate
So much goodness in this comment, Kelley! I’m glad this recipe came right on time for you, and that you love the book!
Erin
So I’m guessing, based off the pictures, that the couscous gets mixed in with everything else, too. ;) We used quinoa and substituted water chestnuts for the celery. Jicama would be good, too. This was delicious.
Kate
Thanks, Erin! Water chestnuts are a great substitute for the celery–I’ll keep that in mind next time the celery-averse ask for a swap-out!
Lina
Hello! I just made this salad for lunch today and it was delicious! I subbed plums for the cherries and bulgur for couscous because that’s what I had on hand. I really loved the dressing with the sweetness of the plums. Even my brother, a self-confessed carnivore, really enjoyed it!
Lisa
This was absolutely fantastic! I was too lazy to pit the cherries, so I just tossed them in, and I added avocado. Thanks so much for this delicious recipe. I always look forward to your posts.
Kate
You’re welcome, Lisa!
Patricia
Hey Kate!
Hugs to Cookie. Am making this salad as we speak and noticed that in the directions, when it comes to composing the salad, you don’t mention the couscous. I’m guessing that you lay those down first and then add the rest and toss, then add the dressing? Or do you toss the rest with the dressing and then add the couscous? Maybe you serve the couscous separately and put the salad on top of them?
Actually, that all sounds good, but a little guidance from a wiser head would be helpful!
Best Regards,
Patricia
Kate
Hi yes! I’m sorry about that. Add the couscous first, then add the other salad ingredients and toss.
Patricia
Thanks Kate! What I wound up doing was putting a layer of the couscous first in individual salad bowls then piling the dressed salad ingredients on top. A forkful of more weighty couscous with fluffy salad topping was such an interesting texture mixture. Kind of like a pasta dish where the sauce is ladled on top of the pasta.
Thanks for such a great recipe for our hot weather.
Sassy
Hi Kate, I have been following you for quite some time and LOVE your blog. I have an odd question, is there another leaf you would recommend for this salad? Hubby (an omni) thought this looked relish and wants to try it but I loath arugula as it tastes like soap to me. Normally I would try nasturtium leaves for their pepper flavour but they aren’t big enough to remove enough of the leaves for a salad yet. Maybe watercress? Or would any leafy veg work? Thanks!
Kate
Hi Sassy! You can use whatever green salad you prefer if you don’t like arugula. Maybe a spring mix or spinach could be nice!
Eileen
I forgot the cheese, and it was still delicious.
Judith L Uschold
Hi Kate,
This salad is amazing! We both loved it.
Judi
Pat
Delicious! I used cucumbers instead of celery and quinoa instead of couscous and it worked out great.
Ginny
Delicious! Love it as I do all of your recipes!
Kate
Aw thank you, Ginny!
Mary
I love this salad! Is it in your cookbook? Just curious I just ordered your book❤️Thanks!
Kate
Thank you for ordering my cookbook, Mary! I hope you love it.
Emily
Delicious! I’m surprised at how wonderful this salad is; restaurant quality! <3
Kate
Thank you, Emily! I’m glad you loved it.
Sarah Jones
In the instructions no. 4 doesn’t mention the couscous but presumably it gets tossed with the other ingredients.
Barbs
Dear Kate, when I try to copy a recipe and click options to remove picture as well as calorie info to save on paper it doesn’t work. I still get the photo and other info I do not want. Can you tell me how to delete the above?
Kate
Hi, The image comes with it. But you can omit pages to print in your printer settings for your printer. I hope this helps!
kathy dinicola
Just great! I added some dried cherries to the fresh cherries for texture. Overall, a total keeper! Are there recipes you would serve with this to make a complete meal? Tonight I made a marinated pork tenderloin (marinade included lemon, garlic, oregano, oil) but wondering if you have any vegetarian options. Thanks!
Kate
You’re welcome, Kathy!
Carly K
Perfection. Omnivore husband was not a fan – 2/5 from him – but he is objectively wrong. This salad is a treat to the eyes as well as the mouth.
Cheri Burau
So, the recipe says to cook the couscous and then set it aside, but there are no further instructions about what to do with it. Do you just add the couscous at the end with the other ingredients?
Kate
Yes, you will want to add it in. Sorry about that!
Lori Raphael
When and how to you add the couscous to the salad? I am making it right now.
Kate
Hi! you add it when you add all the salad ingredients together. I hope you enjoyed it!