Cherry Couscous & Arugula Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
A delightful summer salad featuring fresh cherries, arugula, pistachios and goat cheese (optional) tossed in a simple balsamic vinaigrette.
Updated by Kathryne Taylor on August 6, 2024
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
This delightful summer salad features 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. When you’re ready to serve, drizzle it with enough vinaigrette to lightly coat the greens (you might only need half of the dressing) and toss to combine. Serve immediately. If you store the dressing separately from the rest, it will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
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.
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.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.
Tomatoes! Perfectly ripe heirloom tomatoes with cheese and bread–that can be my breakfast, lunch, and dinner all summer long.
I am craving cocktail popcicles (margarita, pina colada, mai tai etc), but I have not figured out how to make them yet!
I haven’t figured out how to make them yet, either, but here are some tips! http://www.thekitchn.com/diy-boozy-popsicles-just-how-much-alcohol-to-use-171509
Peaches! And fresh corn. And sugar snap peas. Yum.
Homemade veggie burgers for the grill, no frozen stuff and fresh pesto. Thx for giveaway!
I’m craving fresh peaches!! Can’t wait til the local ones start showing up :)
I have been craving stone fruit this summer–peaches, plums, cherries, nectarines. So sweet!
I crave watermelon!
Well, NOW I’m craving cherries! :) I’ve been craving roasted broccoli for some reason, which is unfortunate because it’s been warm enough without me having to go and turn on the oven!
I crave melon!
This recipe looks Delicious!!! I have been craving any and all fruits this summer, Rainier cherries have been my go-to dessert this week – cannot get enough of them! I’ve always been a fan of summer salads sprinkled with the freshest fruits. The cookbook sounds amazing, as a vegetarian I’m always looking for new, great recipes!
I can’t wait to try this salad out, I absolutely love cherries!! I’m craving big salads, packed full of veggies, fruits, nuts, and cheese.Especially in the heat of the summer, getting a full meal from a salad bowl is perfect.
This summer I’m craving my dining al fresco favorites: corn on the cob, baked beans, and fried zucchini!
I’m now craving this salad! And I think my Whole Foods has their cherries on sale tomorrow, so I’ll be making it this weekend!
Mmmmmm I’ve actually been craving salads like this and currently have a big bag of juicy cherries in my fridge now! They are so freaking tasty!!!! I can’t wait to make this salad!
I’m craving sushi with brown rice, mango, and avocado!
This salad looks delicious–can’t wait to try it! I’ve definitely been craving grilled peaches and corn this summer!
Avocados. I have been eating them like a mad woman all summer–they are so good! Grilled, made into guacamole, sliced on a sandwich or salad–give it to me! Also, I’ve been roasting mushrooms. I crave those, too.
Well now I’m craving this Cherry Couscous & Arugula Salad! Thanks for the chance to win – I love Whole Foods!
I am loving salads made with fruits and cheese and I love cherries so I can’t wait to try this one!
I am craving watermelon.
During the summer I crave lots of watermelon with a grilled piece of meat. Usually I do not eat much meat, but during the summer cooking a good steak, burger or chicken on the grille is the best.
I am craving pasta salads – I love pasta salads in the summer as sides during barbecues and like to play around with different, unique recipes.
All the summer greats- corn on the cob but with a new type of yogurt based topping with fresh herbs, heirloom tomatoes, watermelon and something cool and refreshing to drink…mojito anyone?
I am seriously craving homemade ice cream…everyday! This is a problem :)
I am craving fresh summer tomatoes and mozzarella. The good stuff.
Usually in the summertime I crave salads and smoothies, but in the spirit of wanting something new… Im craving all things coconut. Coconut oils, shavings, and milks. I can’t seem to get enough right now and Ive been thinking about trying some new recipes. Cold soups, curries, and maybe some desserts. My palette is crying for a new and energetic flavor. Im going to try your coconut curry with greens and cauliflower tonight! I would love a recipe with coconut and dark chocolate and maybe cherries or oranges! Love your blog!
Thanks, Alexa! Hope you love the curry!
I ALWAYS crave fresh, cooked greens with lots of garlic, salt and pepper. But in the summer I crave (and eat too much of) berries and stone fruits. Yummm.
Pineapple and Mango…can’t get enough.
I am craving “time” and “energy” to cook homemade vegan meals every night instead of going out to eat. We shop Whole Foods in Scottsdale and love the choices- plant based and oil free. I’d love a copy of your cookbook and a gift card to WF!!
Sad to say, but nothing really.
Ok–this is an odd one–I’m craving sardines! I need more protein and tuna is off my list of go-to’s (because of high mercury/toxins)
I have been eating them with crackers and well as in a yummy chopped salad of cucumbers, chickpeas, red onion, black olives and feta.
I am on a quest to find my favorite vegan ice cream recipe, and based on my cherry obsession, I’m thinking it will have cherries in it!
Fruit! I get so caught up on making full meals that I forget to listen to my body, but when I do all it wants is big big bowls of fruit with kombucha on the side – ahh summer:)
Also.. goat cheese never hurts;)
Craving Rainer cherries!
Love home grown tomatoes with fresh basil, olive oil and a little salt and pepper!
I’m craving all the seasonal fruits and veggies! Watermelon, cherries, peaches, grapes, tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini, summer squash – I love it all!
By the way this recipe was awesome Kate! I happened to have everything in my pantry except for the pistachios, so I subbed chopped almonds instead and it was still delicious!
Thank you, Ericka! Glad your salad turned out great!
I LOVE all summer produce. Corn, tomatoes, stone fruit, summer squash. There is nothing better.
Suggestion, when using slivered almonds raw in salads or even pecans or walnuts, I toasts them in a hot pan (no oil, butter or anything) on the stove top until they start to brown. You can smell when this is starting to happen. Remove from heat. Let them cool and then add to salad. It really brings out the flavor.
Mark
I just returned from Lanai, Hawaii, and I am really craving gingersnap cookie/pineapple ice cream sandwiches from the Four Seasons at Manele Bay! But on a healthier/more realistic note…..watermelon, I can’t get enough once it’s in season!
I just bought a huge bag of fresh cherries, so this salad will be happening soon.
I totally crave salads in summer along with fresh fruit. I love cherries so this salad looks delicious and I must make it. Right now with lavender blooming I enjoy lavender in baked goods and fresh lemonade/limeade. A quick energy lift for me is fresh veggies dipped in hummus. I appreciate your blog and wonderful recipes. Kate. Thank you.
Thank you, Suzanne! :)
Fresh, juicy peaches!
Currently craving garden fresh tomatoes…all varieties. Nothing like a tomato fresh from the garden.
I’m not a huge fan of arugula but will still try this – it looks wonderful. Might sub in some other green too.
I love the crunchy/smooth contrast and really love cherries but don’t usually bother with them for just straight-up eatin’.
THANKS as always.
This looks SO good, Kate! I’m loving cherries right now, but I’m really craving is CORN! When we visit our family beach house in August, we always get the most deliciously fresh corn on the cob and grill it on the BBQ. I think it might be my favorite part of the whole summer.
http://www.youtube.com/sparklesandsuch26
I crave juicy watermelon all summer long! It is perfect to quench my thirst and super tasty
Cold, vegetarian sushi.
I am currently craving figs. I love figs but their season is so short!
I am craving all the delicious summer fruit and peaceful, lazy days!
I had never thought of putting cherries in something like this but why not? Now that I think about it my mouth is watering so will be off to the shops soon to find some luscious cherries.
Peaches! I love making Peach Sorbet! :)