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
- â…› 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 â…“ cup crumbled goat cheese)
- â…“ 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.
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!
Currently craving basil, basil, basil! In apps, salads, desserts, finishing toppings…. yum!
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!
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. :(
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. :)
I’m craving fresh cantaloupe and watermelon now that are in season. Yum!
I am craving clafoutis with tons of summer fruits like cherries and apricots in there :)
I’m constantly craving caprese salads in the summer — made from the basil and tomatoes from our garden!
I am craving watermelon
I’ve been craving a good thick and creamy pineapple smoothie lately. Would totally help with the hot weather!
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!
I’m craving fresh fruit!! yuuuummm
purposedrivenlife4you(at)gmail(dot)com
This summer, I find I am constantly craving citrus and avocado (especially together)…maybe with a margarita to wash them down with?
I’m craving fresh fruit and veggie smoothies, especially one with berries and beets
Local sweet corn! I’m going to try it on the grill more often this summer.
Ten years ago, I would have answered ice cream. Now I actually crave kale salads! My husband thinks I’m funny. :)
That’s awesome! I crave kale salads, too. :)
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!
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.
Peaches and fresh tomatoes. Have been eating LOTS of cherries the past few months.
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!
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!
This salad looks divine. I am craving tomatoes! I never buy them out of season and the ones in season are such a treat :)
I’m craving blueberry smoothie and kale salad.
This summer I am craving freshly made naan bread, grilled peaches, and curry oven-roasted corn!
I am craving all of the beautiful,bountiful fruits and vegetables of summer!
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
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://sooka.info/tag/zucchini/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
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.
I wish so, too! I always have a surplus of leftovers!
I am craving homemade salsa, of all sorts! Pico de gallo, tomatillo, mango, kohlrabi, whatever comes in my CSA basket!
Craving figs, cherries, and fresh melons!
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!
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!!
Berries and tomatoes!!
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!
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!
Perfect timing! I just bought a ton of cherries. Other than that I’m craving…cooler weather. Or a vacation. :)
I am craving fresh local fruit and vegetables, particularly berries, cherries, and greens!
Fruity ice cream!
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.
Thank you, Taimi! I appreciate you sharing my blog with friends! That means a lot. :)
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!
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 :)
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!!!
Watermelon and sweet corn!
I’ve been craving fruit in my salads so this is another perfect salad thanks Kate!
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! :)
juicy peaches and the beach!
ginger–pickled on sushi, baked into scones, grated into my morning chai–more ideas?
It’s great in Thai peanut sauce! And smoothies! More ideas here: https://sooka.info/tag/ginger/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
I am pregnant this summer and craving ice cream all the time!!
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.
I am craving all the fresh berries (especially strawberries) I get at the farmers markets :)
I’ve been craving tons of watermelon! And now this salad!
Summer equates to two things: Watermelon and Tomatoes!
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!
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!).
I’ve been craving everything cold! Froyo with lots of fruits and coconut, popsicles and a massive bowl of creamy ice-cream.