This Grilled Plum Salad with feta & walnut is a fresh, colorful, and incredibly easy salad made using juicy grilled plums, creamy feta cheese, crunchy toasted walnuts, crisp iceberg lettuce, red onion, pomegranate arils, and a bright and refreshing homemade orange vinaigrette.
In this recipe, grilled plums become warm, juicy, and lightly caramelized, which makes them taste even sweeter and juicier. When you combine these juicy grilled plums with salty feta, crunchy walnuts, fresh lettuce, dried apricots, and a tangy orange dressing, you get such a beautiful combination of sweet, salty, and tangy in each bite.
Making this easy plum feta salad is really simple and easy and takes only about 15 minutes. So it is perfect for a quick lunch, a light dinner, or as a beautiful side dish for an autumn or summer gathering.
Removing skins creates ultra-smooth hummus with minimal oil. It blends lighter and feels more professional.
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Table of contents
About Grilled Plum, Feta & Walnut Salad
This grilled plum salad is one of the simplest salad recipes and is really straightforward. It looks impressive and it is very easy. You don’t need special ingredients to make this, and there is very little cooking involved; just grilling plums.
The best part of this stone fruit salad is the grilled plums; they add a lovely smoky flavour to this salad. I love grilling ripe but firm plums because the heat highlights their natural sweetness and gives the cut sides beautiful caramelized marks while keeping the inside juicy.
Then we add creamy and salty feta, crunchy toasted walnuts, crisp iceberg lettuce, thinly sliced red onion, and a few pomegranate arils for a little extra freshness and color.
I also like adding a small amount of dried apricots to this salad for a fruity extravaganza. They are completely optional, but they add a lovely chewy texture and another gentle layer of sweetness without overpowering the plums.
And then comes the freshly made orange vinaigrette. It is prepared using fresh orange juice, orange zest, Dijon mustard, lemon juice or white wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper and a little honey or maple syrup to make a bright dressing that complements everything together beautifully and deliciously.
The combination of sweet grilled plums, salty crumbly feta, crunchy walnuts, and citrusy orange dressing makes this a really delicious summer salad.
This simple salad comes together in just 15 minutes including the grilling of plums. Plus, it is so easy and versatile; you can add more stone fruits like peaches or apricots, or swap walnuts with almonds. You can also add some chia seeds or hemp seeds to the orange vinaigrette. The feta can be swapped with goat cheese, and lettuce can be swapped with spinach or any other greens; the options are endless.
So let’s learn to make the grilled plum salad.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Grilled Plum, Feta & Walnut Salad
✔ is quick & easy to make
✔ gets done in about 15 minutes
✔ is a delicious salad for any day
✔ is great for lunches and dinners
✔ can also be served as a light meal or side
✔ can easily be customized
✔ is loaded with juicy caramelized grilled plums
✔ combines sweet, salty, tangy, and fresh flavors
✔ has so many different textures
✔ uses basic ingredients
✔ has amazing homemade orange vinaigrette
✔ makes a beautiful side dish for gatherings
Ingredients
To make this easy grilled plum salad, you only need some simple ingredients that are easily available and swappable. Each ingredient adds a different flavor or texture to the salad.
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Plums: It is the main ingredient of this salad recipe, so use the best organic, ripe plums here. They should be sweet and juicy but firm enough to hold their shape when grilled. Grilling plums brings out their natural sweetness and gives them beautiful caramelized edges that add much more flavour.
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Lettuce: I love using crisp iceberg lettuce here because it gives this salad a really refreshing crunch. It also adds a nice contrast to the warm, soft grilled plums. You can also use romaine or arugula here.
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Feta cheese: A few big pieces of crumbled feta are sprinkled on top of the salad. It adds a creamy and salty flavor that beautifully balances the sweetness of the plums. I like using larger chunks of feta here, so they add a lovely creamy bite. But if you like, you can also use pre-crumbled or finely crumbled feta.
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Walnuts: A sprinkle of lightly toasted walnuts adds a delicious crunch and nutty flavor. I like to use toasted walnuts, as toasting makes a noticeable difference in taste and flavour, so I definitely recommend doing it.
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Dried apricots: These are optional, but a few chopped dried apricots add chewy texture and gentle sweetness, as well as more stone fruit goodness.
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Red onion: Thinly sliced red onion is added for a lovely contrast of color, and it also adds a little sharpness that balances the fruit and other ingredients. If your onion tastes strong, then make sure to soak it briefly in cold water to reduce pungency; soaking helps mellow the flavor.
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Pomegranate arils: These add a juicy, slightly tart flavor and amazing color to this salad, which makes each bite of this salad look even more colorful.
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Orange: Fresh orange juice and orange zest are used in the vinaigrette. They both add refreshing citrus flavor that works gorgeously well with grilled plums. You can also use mandarin here.
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Dijon mustard: Dijon adds a little sharpness and helps all the other ingredients of the vinaigrette come together.
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Sweetener: You need a small amount of sweetener to balance the flavours of the vinaigrette. I used honey, but agave or maple syrup also work just fine. The exact amount of sweetener depends on how sweet your plums are.
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Seasoning: I used a basic seasoning of salt and pepper. You can make it more flavorful by adding a tiny bit of garlic powder, or make it taste hot by adding red pepper flakes. But salt and pepper are just enough to enhance the flavour of the orange vinaigrette.
How to Make Grilled Plum, Feta & Walnut Salad
It might look fancy, but making this grilled plum salad at home is really a piece of cake. Just grill the plums, prepare the ingredients, make the dressing, arrange everything on a platter, and drizzle with the vinaigrette. That’s it. Super easy and so much fun.
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To make this salad, first halve and pit the plums. Then cut them into quarters and set aside. Also thinly slice the red onion, and roughly chop the iceberg lettuce and set it aside.
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To make the orange vinaigrette, add the extra-virgin olive oil, fresh orange juice, lemon juice or white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey or maple syrup, salt, and black pepper to a small bowl or jar.
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Whisk or shake until well combined. Add the orange zest and mix again. Taste and adjust the sweetness, acidity, or seasoning as needed. I like adding zest in the end for zesty flavours.
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Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high to high heat, and place the plums cut-side down on the hot grill pan.
Drizzle plums with olive oil and sprinkle with some salt and pepper to season them.
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Cook for 2–3 minutes without moving them, until caramelized and marked. Then flip and cook for another 30–60 seconds. The plums should be warm and caramelized but still hold their shape.
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Once done, remove the plums from the pan and let them cool slightly.
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To assemble, arrange the chopped iceberg lettuce on a serving platter. Top with the warm grilled plums, sliced red onion, and pomegranate arils.
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Scatter the toasted walnuts and dried apricots, if using, over the salad.
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Drizzle half of the orange vinaigrette over the salad just before serving. Then top with crumbled feta and drizzle the rest of the dressing.
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Your nourishing, delicious and colorful grilled plum salad is ready. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Once you make this salad, you will love how delicious it tastes. The contrast between the warm caramelized plums, crisp lettuce, creamy feta, crunchy walnuts, and smoky flavors is to die for.
Variations
One of my favorite things about this salad recipe is that you can easily change it depending on what you have available.
Grilled Plum & Goat Cheese Salad
If you don’t like using feta or prefer goat cheese, then you can simply replace the feta with soft goat cheese. The creamy tanginess of goat cheese works beautifully with the sweet grilled plums.
Plum, Feta & Pecan Salad
Don’t like using walnuts, or don’t have them on hand? Then use toasted pecans instead. They add a slightly sweeter, buttery crunch that pairs really well with the grilled plums.
Grilled Peach & Plum Salad
If you love grilled peaches or are into total stone fruit salad, then why not combine peaches with plums for a delicious grilled fruit salad? Just make sure to use firm peaches so they don’t become too soft on the grill.
Extra Fruity Plum Salad
Enjoy an even fruitier salad? Then feel free to add fresh berries, sliced grapes, or a few extra pomegranate arils to this salad.
Vegan Grilled Plum Salad
For a vegan version, simply swap the feta with your favorite vegan feta or another plant-based cheese. Also, use maple syrup or agave instead of honey in the orange vinaigrette.
Serving Suggestions
This grilled plum salad recipe is best when served immediately while the plums are still slightly warm.
I love enjoying it as a light summer or autumn lunch, either as it is or with some crusty bread with just butter or garlic bread on the side. It also works beautifully as a side salad for grilled vegetables, soy garlic tofu, or any other grilled dishes.
Because it looks so colorful and pretty on a platter, this plum feta salad is also a lovely choice for brunches, gatherings, barbecues, picnics, or dinner parties.
If you are serving it for guests, I recommend arranging everything on a platter rather than tossing the salad together. This way, you can see all those beautiful grilled plums, feta, walnuts, and pomegranate arils. It makes a much prettier presentation, and guests can choose the amount of dressing depending upon their taste preferences.
For a salad buffet, you can also serve it along with other fruity salads like apple salad, blueberry avocado salad, peach salad, strawberry salad, mango salad, and orange salad.
Storage Suggestions
This stone fruit salad is best when freshly assembled, especially because this is when iceberg lettuce is crisp and the grilled plums are at their best when slightly warm.
If you have leftovers, then store the salad and dressing separately whenever possible. Prep the salad ingredients without dressing and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Add the vinaigrette just before eating to maintain the freshness of the salad.
The orange vinaigrette can easily be prepared ahead of time and stored in a covered jar in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, so it is great for meal prep. Just give it a good shake before using it in your salads.
For this kind of salad, I recommend preparing only as much salad as you plan to eat because dressed lettuce can become soft over time.
Tips & Tricks to Make the Best Grilled Plum Salad
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Plums: They are the star here, so use ripe yet firm plums that are able to hold their shape after grilling. Do not use very soft plums as they can become too delicate, hard to hold their shape, and fall apart when grilled.
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Grilling: When grilling, make sure the grill pan is properly hot before adding the plums. This pre-heating helps create those beautiful caramelized grill marks.
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Don’t move: Once you place the plums cut-side down, leave them alone for 2–3 minutes. Moving them too soon can prevent good caramelization.
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Walnuts: I like to toast the walnuts before adding them to the salad. It brings out their nutty flavor and makes them extra crunchy. You can also use other nuts here.
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Feta: For better presentation, use larger chunks of feta rather than finely crumbling it. This way you get a creamy, salty piece of feta with a bite of sweet grilled plum.
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Dressing: Taste the plums before making the orange vinaigrette and adding it to the salad. If your plums are very sweet, you may need to add less honey or maple syrup.
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Onion: If raw red onion is too strong for your taste, soak the slices in cold water for 5–10 minutes and drain well. This way they will taste less pungent.
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Serving: Don’t dress the salad too early. Add the orange vinaigrette just before serving so the iceberg lettuce stays crisp. Also, I like to add dressing in two stages, half before adding feta and half after adding feta. This way the salad soaks up the dressing beautifully.
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Presentation: I like to arrange the salad on a platter instead of tossing everything together. This makes the grilled plums and colorful toppings stand out beautifully.
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Adjust: Start with a little vinaigrette and add more as needed. The feta and dried apricots already add saltiness and sweetness, while the grilled plums enhance the natural sweetness, so you want enough dressing to add brightness without overpowering the other flavors.
FAQs
Can I make plum salad without grilling?
Yes, absolutely you can. I like grilling plums for this salad, as they offer their natural sweetness and add a lightly caramelized flavor. If using raw plums, then use ripe plums.
What goes well with grilled plums?
Grilled plums go especially well with salty cheeses such as feta or goat cheese. They also go well with toasted nuts, crisp greens, red onion, and bright vinaigrettes. The combination of sweet fruit, salty cheese, and all types of crunchy toppings works particularly well in a plum salad.
Can I make this plum feta salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the individual components of the salad and orange vinaigrette ahead of time. Also, store them separately, and if possible, grill the plums right before serving to make the salad taste fresh. Also, I recommend assembling and dressing the salad just before serving. This keeps the lettuce crisp and the grilled plums fresh.
Can I use peaches instead of plums?
Yes. You can surely replace some or all of the plums with ripe but firm peaches. The grilling method is essentially the same for the peaches. Peach salad tastes great when made using grilled peaches.
Can I make grilled plum salad vegan?
Yes, you can definitely make a dairy-free version of this salad. To make it vegan, use vegan feta or another plant-based cheese. Also, choose maple syrup here instead of honey for the orange vinaigrette.
What kind of lettuce is best for plum salad?
Any kind of crisp greens works here. I like iceberg lettuce in this recipe because it adds a refreshing crunch against the warm grilled plums and creamy feta. Instead of just iceberg lettuce, you can also use mixed greens, arugula, or baby spinach if you prefer.
How do you keep grilled plums from falling apart?
The key is to use ripe but firm plums and avoid overcooking them. Grill the cut side for about 2–3 minutes, then flip and cook for only another 30–60 seconds. They should be caramelized and warm while still holding their shape.
What dressing goes with plum salad?
A bright citrus dressing works beautifully with plums. In this recipe, I use fresh orange juice and zest with olive oil, Dijon mustard, lemon juice or white wine vinegar, and a little honey or maple syrup. The citrusy, tangy flavor balances the sweetness of the grilled plums.
Can I use other nuts instead of walnuts?
Yes, using other nuts in this salad is completely possible. Use pecans, almonds, or pistachios; they would all work well. I especially like toasted walnuts because they have a slightly earthy flavor that contrasts nicely with the sweet juicy plums and salty feta.
Grilled Plum Salad (Step-by-step photo instructions)
Prepare the Ingredients
- Halve the plums and remove the pits. Then cut each plum into quarters and set aside.
- Roughly chop the iceberg lettuce and set aside. Thinly slice the red onion. If the onion tastes too strong, place it in cold water for 5–10 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
Make the Orange Vinaigrette
- Zest the orange and set the zest aside. Cut the orange in half and juice it using a citrus juicer.
- Add the extra-virgin olive oil, fresh orange juice, lemon juice or white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey or maple syrup, salt, and black pepper to a small bowl or jar.
- Whisk or shake until well combined. Add the orange zest and whisk or shake again. Taste and adjust the sweetness, acidity, or seasoning as needed.
Grill the Plums
- Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high to high heat. Place the plums cut-side down on the hot grill pan. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Cook for 2–3 minutes without moving them, until caramelized and grill-marked. Flip and cook for another 30–60 seconds. The plums should be warm and caramelized but still hold their shape. Remove from the pan and let them cool slightly. If desired, cut each grilled plum half into quarters.
Assemble the Grilled Plum Salad
- Arrange the chopped iceberg lettuce on a serving platter. Top with the warm grilled plums. Scatter the thinly sliced red onion, dried apricots, and pomegranate arils over the top.
- Add the toasted walnuts and drizzle with half of the dressing. Sprinkle with the feta, then drizzle with the remaining dressing. Serve immediately.
Recipe Card
Grilled Plum Salad [Recipe]
★★★★★
(Rating: 5 from 6 reviews)
| Prep time 🕐 | Cook time 🕐 | Total time 🕐 |
|---|---|---|
| Category ☶ | Cuisine ♨ | Servings ☺ |
| Salads | International | 4 |
| Nutrition Info ⊛ | Serving size ⊚ | |
| 295 calories | 1 |
INGREDIENTS
For Grilled Plum Salad
- 6 plums, halved and pitted
- 1 head iceberg lettuce
- 75–100 g feta cheese, cut or broken into large chunks
- ¼ cup toasted walnuts, roughly chopped
- 3 tablespoons dried apricots, roughly chopped (optional)
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 teaspoons olive oil, for grilling the plums
- 3 tablespoons pomegranate arils
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For the Orange Vinaigrette
- 3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1½ tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup, depending on the sweetness of the plums
- Salt, to taste
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
INSTRUCTIONS:
Prepare the Ingredients
- Halve the plums and remove the pits. Then cut each plum into quarters and set aside.
- Roughly chop the iceberg lettuce and set aside. Thinly slice the red onion. If the onion tastes too strong, place it in cold water for 5–10 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
Make the Orange Vinaigrette
- Zest the orange and set the zest aside. Cut the orange in half and juice it using a citrus juicer.
- Add the extra-virgin olive oil, fresh orange juice, lemon juice or white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey or maple syrup, salt, and black pepper to a small bowl or jar.
- Whisk or shake until well combined. Add the orange zest and whisk or shake again. Taste and adjust the sweetness, acidity, or seasoning as needed.
Grill the Plums
- Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high to high heat. Place the plums cut-side down on the hot grill pan. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Cook for 2–3 minutes without moving them, until caramelized and grill-marked. Flip and cook for another 30–60 seconds. The plums should be warm and caramelized but still hold their shape. Remove from the pan and let them cool slightly. If desired, cut each grilled plum half into quarters.
Assemble the Grilled Plum Salad
- Arrange the chopped iceberg lettuce on a serving platter. Top with the warm grilled plums. Scatter the thinly sliced red onion, dried apricots, and pomegranate arils over the top.
- Add the toasted walnuts and drizzle with half of the dressing. Sprinkle with the feta, then drizzle with the remaining dressing. Serve immediately.
Watch Full Recipe Video:
NOTES:
- Choose ripe but firm plums so they caramelize nicely on the grill without falling apart.
- The sweetness of plums can vary, so taste the vinaigrette and adjust the honey or maple syrup accordingly.
- For the best texture, dress the salad just before serving.
- Large chunks of feta work particularly well here, providing creamy, salty bites against the sweet grilled plums.
NUTRITION (Per Serving):
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Author: Anupama
Recipe Source Link: https://www.mygingergarlickitchen.com/grilled-plum-salad/
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