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.
Watermelon!
I’m craving some fru
Stunning salad! To be honest, I’m craving fresh cherries and lots and lots of ice cream! (I really want to try that peanut butter honey ice cream you posted earlier this week….)
I’m craving the yellow grape tomatoes growing in my backyard! And salad, as always. I love a good salad, and this looks like one I’ll add to my to-make list. You’re recipes never let me down (:
Craving frozen yogurt topped with fresh fruit – peaches, strawberries, cherries… I can’t get enough.
Thank you for this recipe! I was looking at the bag of cherries I have in my fridge and wondering what I should do with them. Problem solved!
Fresh fruit!!
I’ve been craving ice cream for about a month. And avocados. :)
This salad is gorgeous! This summer I’m craving outdoor adventures, picnics with board games and good books, nectarines and berries, grilled corn on the cob, and homemade ice cream :)
I’ve been craving tomatoes!
I’m craving the fresh apricots from my mother’s tree in her garden in California. We would collect all the apricots, save some to eat home, put some in little gift bags to share with the neighbors and our friends, and make jam from the rest. I’m definitely craving the homemade apricot jam as well which I would spread on toasted whole wheat toast along with some almond butter. Nothing compares to your mother’s cooking, food made at home, and produce from your own home garden!
Think I’m craving vegemite…
Not that I’m Australian or anything but I just ran out of my fav breakfast spread and would love to replace it!
But, yes cherries are pretty much my top summer fruit.
I’ve been craving fresh juicy nectarines and caprese salads!
My cravings kick into high gear when I see all of the fresh berries at the farmer’s market!
Watermelon- all the time! Great Giveaway!
I’m craving tons of salads this summer!
I have been craving strawberry shortcake ever since the Fourth of July! It has always been a family tradition to make it for the fourth, and as I am off traveling (aka couch surfing, because I am young and poor hehe) I didn’t get to be with my family this year. When I return we will make it and celebrate :) Love the blog!
Fresh fruit, especially watermelon and blackberries – yum!!!
Watermelon, always watermelon. Also wanted to let you know how much I appreciated your “statement” about what being a vegetarian means to you. It was like you were voicing my thoughts.
Keep up the awesome work.
Kohlrabi! Strange I know, but my kids love the crunch and taste. We just dice it up and snack on it or throw it into a salad…yummy!
I love your website and your delicious and easy to make recipes!
Thank you!
This summer I am craving coconut milk ice cream with fresh cherries on top.
I’m craving corn (and champagne cocktails!)
I’m craving bruschetta made with tomatoes and basil from my garden! It made the perfect dinner last night on a super hot day.
I’ve been craving every kind of fruit this summer, but right now it’s cherries (of course!) and WATERMELON. I’ve yet to have a good one this summer and it’s killing me! Something tells me that’s on the grocery list for this week…
What am I craving this summer? ADVENTURE.
I live in Victoria, BC and have the unique opportunity to be surrounded by an abundance of local wines and farm fresh cuisine. This summer I hope to fill my cravings for adventure by exploring the island as a culinary tourist; tasting and drinking my way through vast amounts of locally sourced goodness. Fresh fruits, vegetables, and wine … here I come!
I crave any meal that doesn’t require turning my oven on :)
I’m craving some rest and relaxation. Other than that, pizza would be nice. :-)
I’m craving fresh,clean, do-able homemade food (which is where my discovery of your blog comes in). I just started my first full-time job after grad school, and I am loving my time after work spent in the kitch! I left Texas for this job, but your Mexican dishes have given me a little taste of home away from home!
this summer, i’ve been craving smoothie bowls every morning! i love topping them with fresh berries, like blueberries & strawberries :)
I am craving some summer galettes, love them so dearly. Also just fresh new cooking ideas which is why I love your blog (and a few others including Smitten Kitchen!).
I’m craving the time to do all the canning I want! Bourbon cherries and lots of pickles!!
Because it’s summer and so hot out… I am always craving POPSICLES!!
I crave watermelon! Nothing better than a sweet, juicy treat on a hot summer day!!
I’m craving sweet corn! Nothing can beat it for this midwest girl!
Super ripe, red, juicy tomatoes…a big slice of tomato on sourdough, with just a swipe of mayo, topped with Maldon and pepper – best summer lunch ever!
Ooh, this salad sounds so good! You know I am all about the fruit in salads (and, um, everything lately), and I love the contrast of pistachios too. Most of my summer cravings seem to involve either fruit, salad, fruit and salad at the same time, or gigantic glasses of iced tea. :) Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
I am currently living in Texas and craving all things PNW: berries, rainier cherries, and smoked salmon!
I’m craving smoothies. Smoothies with yogurt, banana, strawberries or peaches and sweet honey.
Is it ok to say margaritas? :-]
This summer I’ve been craving beets! Seriously…pickled, roasted, shredded – sooo good =)
TOMATOES! A juicy heirloom tomato sliced on a thick slab of toast with maybe a bit of mayo is pure. heaven.
Also, this salad looks delightful and will shake up my lunch routine at work- can’t wait to make it!
Right now I am in Juneau, Alaska, performing in a play. This environment, while completely different from what I am used to (summers in LA!), has been full of fun, surprises and beauty. There is an abundance of seafood here, but what I am craving and what unfortunately I have not yet been able to find is a good lobster roll! I know that it wouldn’t be found on your blog here, but I would love to pair it with some of your salad recipes and refreshing cocktails (whee!) for a good old fashioned picnic. Hope you are having a lovely summer!
Love this recipe. I never would’ve thought of the grain/fruit/veggie combo. This summer I want allllllll of the caprese combos. Give me fresh basil (from my balcony garden!), heirloom tomatoes and gooey delicious mozzarella.
I keep pinching myself because I do live near a Whole Foods! I keep craving smoothies made with organically grown fruits and the freshest ingredients! I can’t get enough of them – I’d pick that over a fancy meal! Any healthy smoothie!
Tazo iced passion tea mixed with lemonade! It’s the best I could live off it all summer.
Could I substitute pumpkins seeds for the nuts (I’m allergic)…can’t wait to try this salad!!!
Cory, I’m sorry I missed your comment! Yes, you could definitely substitute pumpkin seeds for the nuts in this salad. (Or any of my other salads! I love pumpkin seeds!)
This recipe looks amazing!! Thanks for the chance to win :)
What a wonderful way to use the delicious Bing cherries I just bought. Can’t wait to try this salad. Thanks for all the great ideas.
Watermelon and stone fruit!!
Fresh, juicy tomatoes (with basil and fresh mozz)!
I’m craving corn off the cob everyday!!! (preferably sauteed in some bacon grease or butter!)
ps. This salad looks delicious…cherries, pistachios, goat cheese, I love it.