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!
PrintCherry 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 sea 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 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, 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.
Jordan
BERRIES. I can’t get enough! This salad looks fantastic, will definitely give it a try!
Julianna
Kale, brussels sprouts, nectarines, and goat cheese!!
Catwalk803
I crave peaches, peaches and more peaches — but only from SC or GA. In my humble opinion they have much more flavor. I tried CA peaches this past weekend in my normal cobbler recipe and it was no where near as good as one made with SC peaches. I also crave arugula year around. I can eat it every day.
Janice
I am looking forward to fresh, ripe peaches. I love them all but particularly the white ones with their light but intensely floral taste and their amazing internal color. I add them to my pico de gallo and serve it with any number of dishes. Often you might catch me eating it directly from the bowl! I also love them just plain with their fuzzy skins giving my tongue a tickle and their juice dripping down my chin. They always come after summer is well underway and I have a sense of anticipation building and my mouth waters as I wait for their arrival.
Susan
I have been craving smoothies like crazy! Big mix-ups of frozen fruit, almond milk, greens..delicious, easy to make, and so good after a hot workout!
jacquie
watermelon! and cherries and blueberries …….
Saniel
That looks yummy! I am so craving some fresh corn the kind that melts in your mouth without butter or salt needed. Always fresh local fruit-GA white peaches.
Margaret
Thanks for all of your delicious recipes! What I’m really craving this summer is Guava Chiffon cake. This cake is light, yet so satisfying. Would love it if you were able to work your magic and come up with a healthier, yet still tastes great, version.
Sharon
I am craving peaches and nectarines from the farmers market. The ones in the grocery stores are terrible.
Lauren
Absolutely craving fresh figs, cherries, and beets. Maybe all together, but definitely separate!
Kat
Last summer I ordered a watermelon-feta-mint salad in Greece. Ever since I’ve craved SAVORY dished with watermelon. The more exotic the better!
Kate
That salad sounds epic!!!
Lil
What I’m craving is mostly salad featuring all of the summer’s bounty. This salad looks amazing! Thank you for always listing alternative ingredients.
Kate
Thanks, Lil! I try to list alternative ingredients as best I can.
Kerri
I’m craving salads. By the way, I love your buckwheat pancake recipe! I make them fairly often.
Kate
Thanks, Kerri! Glad you enjoy the pancakes!
ASSILA
I do not live near a whole foods (i live up in alaska during the warmer months), but frequent the lower 48 regularly. I have been craving a fresh filet of salmon all winter. We can a lot of our salmon for the winter months, but you can beat a fresh filet. Headed to subsistence fish this weekend to fill the freezer and cans, and fulfill my craving!
rachel
Fruity ice teas. Can’t have enough!
Emily L
I’ve been craving fruit like crazy! Cherries, berries, watermelon, peaches…
Also, fresh fruit IN pastries/baked goods! I just made your lemon blueberry muffins again yesterday night and my next baking project is making mini cinnamon sugar + berry braided buns!
Kate
Those braided buns sound so cool! Glad you like the blueberry muffins!
Lauren L.
I crave fresh mozzarella all.the.time. Especially with tomatoes and peaches!
samW
fresh picked wild blueberries
charj
This summer I’ve been craving zucchini as well as peaches.
Lacey
Like every other summer, I’m craving smoothies, avocados and coconut.
Liz
I am craving watermelon, radish, feta and mint salad with lime juice drizzled over top – I have been living on it for days! I am so excited to see this new recipe. My boys have cherry pitter ‘guns’ that they love to use. We love to eat salads with nuts and fruit.
Kate
Oh how fun! I can imagine my brothers playing with cherry pitter guns when they were little. :)
Robert
I crave grill corn, potato salad and homemade Popsicle.
Stephanie
I am craving pizza! Pizza is definitely my trigger food, and something that I could have for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. So all that being said, I am craving a light, fun, summer-time pizza :-)
Christina Dubin
This is perfect because I’ve been craving salads! And smoothies are a close second with homemade almond milk, banana, berries, nut butter, and flaxseed. I LOVE your blog! It’s one of my two main go-to’s!
Kate
Thank you, Christina! I’m happy that you enjoy the blog!
Shari
This salad looks delish! I can’t get enough watermelon this summer!
Sandy
What I’m craving are some fresh picked Missouri blueberries, from the u-pick-em farm just three miles from my house. And I’m craving them in a Blueberry-Chia Seed smoothie, with fresh squeezed lemon juice, and a tablespoon of local honey. That’s what I’m craving!
Thank goodness I’ve been picking blueberries twice a week since the season started. So far, I’ve got over a hundred pounds frozen to last me the rest of the year.
Kate
Sounds like I need to go to a u-pick-em farm in Missouri! I can’t believe you’ve picked that many already!
Sandy
I pick at least 15 pounds everytime I go–about 5 pounds an hour. Here’s a link to a u-pick-em a little south of Kansas City, MO: theberrypatchonline.com. They are open until mid-August. I’m in Rolla, MO, and our local farm is done for the season.
The Cherry Couscous & Arugula Salad was amazing. I’m making a double batch to take to a picnic this weekend. Don’t think I’ll bring anything back!
Kate
Awesome, thank you for sharing, Sandy! My friend and I talked about going berry picking last summer but never got around to it. Maybe we can go to The Berry Patch before the season’s over. I’m so glad you enjoyed the salad, too!
Kristin Q
I have been craving some strawberry rhubarb desserts-like a crumble. Also love berries of all types!
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health
i havent been able to make anything with cherries just yet because i eat them straight up every single day…and they are at their best taste right now, cant miss that..
Kimber Bennett
I’m craving fresh peaches (sprinkled w/a wee bit of cinnamon – oof), watermelon and big fat juicy blueberries – in no particular order.
Denise
Craving garden tomatoes, I eat the cherry ones like most people eat candy. Craving a 700 year old Asian melon I found last summer at Whole Foods. I know who would think a 700 yrs old melon be so delicious. So hope they have it this season. Craving more blogs about Cookie, she is the cutest! Craving more recipes from you too.
Brooke Lane
Georgia peaches + toasted almonds + fresh mint + lavendar honey
All in one bowl – perfection!
Mark VanDeVelde
Excellent website, recipes and food photographs. I had chilled Gazpacho soup at Glen Gordon Manor in Huntly, VA prepared by Chef Dayn Smith. I do not have the recipe seemed like beets and tomato based it was fantastic! Great Gazpacho soup captures the freshest ingredients of the season.
Rachel
I have been craving watermelon all summer! Perfect for the hot weather.
Leah Davis
I’ve been craving lemonade!! Nothing is better to me on a super hot day!
cheri
The salad looks lovely. I seem to crave whatever is in abundance at the Farmer’s market…right now I’ve been gorging myself on blueberries and peaches, not a bad thing. Just made a ragu from all of my leftover produce since Saturday is market day again and I will inevitably bring home more than we can eat in a week. We’re lucky here on the Central Coast of California to have year round markets and grateful to the magnificent farmers that take care of the land and fill our bellies.
Samantha Bowman
This recipe looks wonderful! I am craving salads with goat cheese! Yum!
Amity
Can’t wait to try this salad! I’ve been craving fresh bruschetta…with fresh picked basil and heirloom tomatoes. YUM.
Allison
First of all, this salad is just beautiful and the combo of celery and cherries would be DIVINE. Mmm.
I’m craving cold soba noodles with peanut sauce and blueberries -but not together :)
Alexandra
This recipe looks amazing, and I would love to get the giveaway! So far, the produce I’m craving most is anything fruit! Strawberries, raspberries, watermelon…you name it, I’ll eat it!
willie grigg
My name is Willie and I’m a yellow lab. I crave tangerines whole. I love the crunch skin and all except for the pit. I just twirl the pit around and spit it out
Allison Downes
I am craving fresh tomatoes.
Thanks for having this giveaway. Your recipe looks delicious!
Julie Jones
I have been following your website for about 9 months now and I look forward to recieving your new recipes each week. I am craving any type of fruit this summer. I just bought a huge container of cherries yesterday so I plan on making your cherry and arugula salad tonight for dinner. I made your black bean and sweet potato burgers last night for dinner and they were a big hit even with my kids. Thanks for all your wonderful recipes. Keep up the great work!
Kate
Julie, thank you! I’m so glad you (and your kids) are enjoying the recipes. :)
Shaina
I always crave refreshing salads with fruit like watermelon, mango, or pineapple!
Jennie
This summer I am craving salads with nuts, berries, and cheese, always. This one looks perfect, thanks for sharing!
Beth Mirizio
Hi Kate- I found your blog about 2 weeks ago when I was looking for a salad recipe with quinoa and spinach. I loved your salad with strawberries so much I’ve eaten it at least 6 times now. This cherry arugula salad looks awesome. I’ve been craving another bowl of Fraiche frozen yogurt since I had a bowl of it in the SF airport. I just have to figure out how to make it at home. Would love to have a copy of the yummy sounding cookbook and a gift certificate to Whole Foods.
Kate
Thanks, Beth! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the recipes! This salad would be great with quinoa, too.
Gabrielle
Craving this salad after a seeing your pictures of the finished product!!
Mary
Watermelon, can you make a salad with watermelon?
Kate
I’ll try!
Sue
This summer I’ve been craving watermelon and pineapple like crazy… though I can’t deny that I’m now also craving your salted peanut butter and honey ice cream!
Kim Henrichs
I am craving a good watermelon!! I have had the worst luck so far and it’s already mid-July…
Kate
Ugh, I just bought the worst watermelon at the store! I need to go to the farmers’ market and find a good one.
Tova
Craving fresh mango juice!
Allison
I am craving a juicy peach- I had my first peach of the season today and it has left me wanting more! I didn’t grow up eating many cherries, but lately I have been intrigued by all of the recipes featuring them. Thank you for the salad inspiration!
Lauren Pinchin
Currently craving basil, basil, basil! In apps, salads, desserts, finishing toppings…. yum!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen
This looks so good, Kate! I went cherry picking last weekend so I’ve been making tons of things with cherries. I did a quinoa salad with arugula and cherries with balsamic and olive oil. So very similar to your recipe here. Cravings? Right now, watermelon because it’s HOT here in Seattle!
Lisa
While I love summer fruit (I want to just eat strawberries and peaches all day), what I’m craving most this summer is a grilled cheese sandwich, made on the stove. Since I’ve been home for summer we’ve been remodeling the kitchen and everything’s been made in an electric skillet or in the microwave. :(
Kate
Oh, I feel you! I lived in France for a semester and the dorm kitchens only had a stove. No refrigerator or microwave. I once tried to reheat a slice of pizza with my hair dryer… ok, I tried that more than once. :)
Melissa R
I’m craving fresh cantaloupe and watermelon now that are in season. Yum!
Marie-Eve
I am craving clafoutis with tons of summer fruits like cherries and apricots in there :)
Danielle
I’m constantly craving caprese salads in the summer — made from the basil and tomatoes from our garden!
Carolyn G
I am craving watermelon
Mandy
I’ve been craving a good thick and creamy pineapple smoothie lately. Would totally help with the hot weather!
Jess
I’ve been craving beets like crazy! Which is good, since we have so many in our garden :) Can’t wait to try your colorful salad!
Doreen
I’m craving fresh fruit!! yuuuummm
purposedrivenlife4you(at)gmail(dot)com
charlotte!
This summer, I find I am constantly craving citrus and avocado (especially together)…maybe with a margarita to wash them down with?
Nicole
I’m craving fresh fruit and veggie smoothies, especially one with berries and beets
Anne
Local sweet corn! I’m going to try it on the grill more often this summer.
Emily
Ten years ago, I would have answered ice cream. Now I actually crave kale salads! My husband thinks I’m funny. :)
Kate
That’s awesome! I crave kale salads, too. :)
Erin
I live in Michigan so cherries just came in season! I’ve been craving all fruits and veggies this summer. Can’t wait for tomatoes from our garden!
Christine
I’m so excited about this giveaway, I would absolutely love a copy of Anya’s book and Whole Foods is the best! This summer, I am craving peaches – we’re about a month away from the bounty of peaches in farmer’s markets and roadside stands where I live. They are a marker of summer coming to an end but also seem to signify warm sunny weather, and without wanting to wish time away, I honestly cannot wait to bite into one.
Judi
Peaches and fresh tomatoes. Have been eating LOTS of cherries the past few months.
Krystal
Kate, this looks incredible! The prospect of making this salad this weekend is making my week awesome. Summertime makes me crave salads and thanks to you I have been kicking arse in that department. Just finished replying to a request for your Lebanese Lemon-Parsley Bean Salad, while recommending your new Fiesta/Lime/Jalepeño salad deliciousness. Anyway, back to the task. Summertime definitely makes me crave berries and ice cream! And grilling. And sangria. And get-togethers. This is too much. But summer is just so much fun. Thanks Kate!
Kate
Thank you for your amazing comments, Krystal! I appreciate you. I just got a hand-me-down grill so I am hoping to post some grill recipes soon. And sangria… I need a sangria recipe!
Lacey
This salad looks divine. I am craving tomatoes! I never buy them out of season and the ones in season are such a treat :)
Jessie C.
I’m craving blueberry smoothie and kale salad.
Dannica
This summer I am craving freshly made naan bread, grilled peaches, and curry oven-roasted corn!
Joan
I am craving all of the beautiful,bountiful fruits and vegetables of summer!
Robyn Burke
Hi Kate, I am an avid follower and love to make messes in my kitchen as well. I also garden, love my fresh from garden to table produce and never tire of the flavor of fresh picked foods. I am looking for something different to do with summer squash. I find that I remain in a rut, grating it into cakes, and stir fries, making the usual ratatoille, squash saute,( not a fan of pickles), making fritters and quiche, and simple sautes. I am trying to stay away from the foods that add unwanted fats to our diet at home, keeping foods lean with simple flavor. I do like to taste my vegetables. Could you please come up with something to add to the palette? Please, stuffed is not an option either, been there don that. p.s. I find that Martha has nothing on you! You are colorful, tasteful, and inventive. Love your recipes. I share them all the time. Thanks, Robyn
Kate
Hi Robyn, thank you for your sweet note! I’m totally flattered by your Martha reference. :) Have you tried raw zucchini noodles/ribbons? I like raw zucchini when it’s sliced very thinly. I got an awesome Kuhn-Rikon julienne peeler that turns squash into noodles. I like to put squash noodles and ribbons (made with a vegetable peeler) on pizza, too. Here are some more squash ideas for you: https://cookieandkate.com/tag/zucchini/
Kate
Another great recipe! I wish you & Cookie lived next door so I could scrounge some leftovers… This salad looks good enough to stop me from eating the entire pound of cherries by themselves.
Kate
I wish so, too! I always have a surplus of leftovers!
Meredith R.
I am craving homemade salsa, of all sorts! Pico de gallo, tomatillo, mango, kohlrabi, whatever comes in my CSA basket!
Abby
Craving figs, cherries, and fresh melons!
Grace
Beautiful! I’ve been craving cherries this summer too. Cherries and arugula just seem to go hand in hand. I’ll be making this to share for a potluck this weekend!
Erika
I’m craving ALL the summer fruits– in salads, in smoothies, in ice cream, in juices, and on their own! Thanks for another great recipe!!
Mianna
Berries and tomatoes!!
Jan
I’m craving greens, watermelon and anything with red quinoa in it this summer! Red quinoa is my current ingredient of obsession. And I had a thing for greens this winter that is still lingering. Good thing we are growing chard and kale in our garden! But the watermelons this year? Fantastic here so far! A new chef in town is making a gazpacho with watermelon that is the ultimate on hot days. Love the cherry salad recipe. Thanks for the inspiring take on a new salad Kate!
Kate
Oh, that gazpacho sounds great! I just bought the most disappointing watermelon at a grocery store. I need to visit a farmers’ market. I love red quinoa, too—so much more nutty flavor than the white kind!
Rachel
Perfect timing! I just bought a ton of cherries. Other than that I’m craving…cooler weather. Or a vacation. :)
Jennifer
I am craving fresh local fruit and vegetables, particularly berries, cherries, and greens!
Lilly
Fruity ice cream!
taimi
This Summer, like every Summer, I crave white nectarines. I eat them by the bucketload because they’re seriously the best thing on this planet.
Thanks so much for your wonderful recipes! I love your blog and frequently share it with new found health-conscious, food loving friends.
Kate
Thank you, Taimi! I appreciate you sharing my blog with friends! That means a lot. :)
Caitlin
I’m moving back to the US in a week after working abroad for a while, so I’ve just been craving cooking anything & everything with friends, boyfriend, and loved ones I haven’t seen in a year!
Jessica
I’ve been on a banana ice cream kick this summer! Once I actually made it correctly (and it wasn’t runny) I realized how absolutely easy and delicious it is :)
dana
fruit! fruit! fruit! it’s crazy!!! can’t get enough of it this summer… especially the cherries. on sale at WF near me today for $1.99/pound you can bet I’m stocking up!!!
Kristin
Watermelon and sweet corn!
Kathy
I’ve been craving fruit in my salads so this is another perfect salad thanks Kate!
Paige
Cherries..this is literally the first summer I have ever bought a bag for myself. And I have been popping them into my mouth like I’m addicted! So this recipe is perfect for me! :)
Tracy
juicy peaches and the beach!
Cindy
ginger–pickled on sushi, baked into scones, grated into my morning chai–more ideas?
Kate
It’s great in Thai peanut sauce! And smoothies! More ideas here: https://cookieandkate.com/tag/ginger/
Bethany
I am pregnant this summer and craving ice cream all the time!!
Rosalie Kicks
Bonjour!
This summer I have been craving CORN. My husband and I just started grilling corn on the grill… it is AWESOME. There was a grand idea on Naturally Ella about putting spices on the corn before grilling… nom. nom. nom.
Also craving pesto — I can’t wait to fire up a pizza on the grill with some fresh veggies and pesto. Thanks for sharing your recipes.
Bridget
I am craving all the fresh berries (especially strawberries) I get at the farmers markets :)
Rose F
I’ve been craving tons of watermelon! And now this salad!
Alyson
Summer equates to two things: Watermelon and Tomatoes!
Rachel
This summer I’m craving lots and lots of fresh fruit, and I’m on a quest to recreate the delicious and refreshing watermelon juice that I drank while volunteering in Haiti. Someday I’ll get it right!
Kate
Hey Rachel, here’s my recipe for watermelon juice! I tried it in Belize. The real trick is finding a great watermelon (the seedless varieties are no good!).
Mabel
I’ve been craving everything cold! Froyo with lots of fruits and coconut, popsicles and a massive bowl of creamy ice-cream.