A juicy Nectarine Salad with cucumber, basil, goat cheese, red onion and optional Urfa Biber (Turkish Chili Pepper). A simple delicious Farmers Market Salad you can put together in minutes!

Looking for more? Check out our 20+ Cool & Refreshing Cucumber Recipes! 

Nectarine Salad with cucumber, Basil, Goats Cheese, Red onion and optional Urfa Biber ( Turkish Chili Pepper). A simple delicious Farmers Market Salad you can put together in minutes! #nectarinesalad #nectarines #nectarinerecipes #farmersmarket #healthysalad #easysalads #cucumbersalad

Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know. ~Pema Chodron

After coming home from the farmers market the other day with an armful of juicy nectarines and some cool crisp cucumbers, I put them together and made a salad right on the spot. It was so simple, easy and tasty, I thought I’d share!

In the evening, the leftovers of the Nectarine Salad were tossed with tender greens for my husband Brian, who declared it “yummy!”.

Nectarine Salad with cucumber, Basil, Goats Cheese, Red onion and optional Urfa Biber ( Turkish Chili Pepper). A simple delicious Farmers Market Salad you can put together in minutes! #nectarinesalad #nectarines #nectarinerecipes #farmersmarket #healthysalad #easysalads #cucumbersalad

I’ve had this idea in my head that things that grow together at the same time of year, usually taste good together. This is a theory still in testing, but so far, it rings true. Plus, it just makes things simple, doesn’t it? Given that, you could easily swap out peaches here, or even add tomatoes to the mix. It would still work great.

Nectarine Salad with cucumber, Basil, Goats Cheese, Red onion and optional Urfa Biber ( Turkish Chili Pepper). A simple delicious Farmers Market Salad you can put together in minutes! #nectarinesalad #nectarines #nectarinerecipes #farmersmarket #healthysalad #easysalads #cucumbersalad

You can layer the nectarines and cucumber in a shallow bowl, on a platter, or toss everything together in a bowl, up to you.

Add some torn basil leaves.

Thinly slice the red onion and soak it in salted water, to remove the bitterness.

Red onion gives this salad the little bite it needs.

Nectarine Cucumber Salad with Basil, Goat Cheese, Red onion and optional Urfa Biber ( Turkish Chili Pepper). A simple delicious Farmers Market Salad you can put together in minutes! #nectarinesalad #nectarines #nectarinerecipes #farmersmarket #healthysalad #easysalads #cucumbersalad

Add the crumbled goat cheese and the basil leaves, then spoon the dressing over top of the Nectarine Salad.

If going vegan, avocado might work well in place of goats cheese for extra richness!

Nectarine Salad with cucumber, Basil, Goats Cheese, Red onion and optional Urfa Biber ( Turkish Chili Pepper). A simple delicious Farmers Market Salad you can put together in minutes! #nectarinesalad #nectarines #nectarinerecipes #farmersmarket #healthysalad #easysalads #cucumbersalad

Here I’ve added a little Ufir Biber (Turkish Chili Pepper) for contrast and a little heat. Of course, this is optional.

Urfa Biber - Turkish Chili Pepper

Urfa Biber (usually just called Urfa) is also known as Isot peppers. The peppers are picked after they turn bright red, then cured for a week to develop their deep purple color and smoky, earthy, sweet flavor. Urfa is commonly used in Turkish and Kurdish cooking but can be used anywhere you want a little smoky heat and contrast.

 

Nectarine Salad with cucumber, Basil, Goats Cheese, Red onion and optional Urfa Biber ( Turkish Chili Pepper). A simple delicious Farmers Market Salad you can put together in minutes! #nectarinesalad #nectarines #nectarinerecipes #farmersmarket #healthysalad #easysalads #cucumbersalad

So here it is…  Nectarine Salad with cucumber, Basil, Goats Cheese, Red onion -a  simple delicious Farmers Market Salad you can put together in minutes!

RELATED: 35 Must-Try Farmers Market Recipes 

 

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Nectarine Salad with cucumber, Basil, Goats Cheese, Red onion and optional Urfa Biber ( Turkish Chili Pepper). A simple delicious Farmers Market Salad you can put together in minutes! #nectarinesalad #nectarines #nectarinerecipes #farmersmarket #healthysalad #easysalads #cucumbersalad

Nectarine Salad with Cucumber, Basil and Goat Cheese

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 14 reviews
  • Author: Sylvia Fountaine
  • Prep Time: 15
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x
  • Category: salad
  • Method: tossed
  • Cuisine: northwest

Description

Nectarine Salad with Cucumber,  Basil, Goat Cheese, Red onion and optional Urfa Biber (Turkish Chili Pepper). A simple delicious Farmers Market Salad you can put together in minutes!


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1/4 cup finely sliced red onion
  • 3 ripe ( semi-firm) nectarines
  • 4 Turkish cucumbers (or use a small English cucumber)
  • 1/8 cup basil leaves, torn
  • 1/41/2 cup goat cheese crumbles

Dressing:

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons champagne, sherry, apple cider or white balsamic vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons honey or alternative sweetener
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon Urfa Biber chili pepper ( optional)

Optional: tender greens or arugula, toasted nuts of choice.


Instructions

Thinly slice red onion using a mandolin ( if possible) and place in a small bowl of water. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and soak 10-15 minutes to remove bitterness.

Whisk dressing ingredients together in a small bowl.

Slice nectarines into 1/2 inch thick slices. Slice cucumbers into thin rings. Arrange in a shallow bowl or on a platter over optional greens. Rinse and drain the onions and scatter about. Top with torn basil leaves and goat cheese crumbles.

Spoon dressing over top.  Sprinkle with optional Urfa Biber.

Serve this on its own or over tender greens.


Notes

You can also toss the nectarines, cucumbers, basil and onions in a medium bowl with the dressing. It will be quite “juicy” so serve it over tender greens or arugula, and top with goat cheese.

This is a great place to use any light, fruit-infused vinegars- like raspberry vinegar, etc.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 177
  • Sugar: 13.5 g
  • Sodium: 155.8 mg
  • Fat: 11.6 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 18.9 g
  • Fiber: 2.5 g
  • Protein: 2.5 g
  • Cholesterol: 1.9 mg

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Comments

  1. Think I’m going to use peaches because I’m going to get a case for canning anyway. I’m wondering though, should I dip the fruit in a lemon water bath so they don’t brown so quickly?

    1. It wouldn’t hurt. Peaches tend to brown faster than nectarines. You could also just toss them with a little dressing to ensure they get a good coating.

  2. I would love to make this to accompany an entree. Any recommendations? Looking forward to trying this salad! Urba Bieber has become one of my favorite things since discovering it— so excited to have another recipe to use it in! 😊

    1. I think this would pair well with anything Mediterranean or Middle Eastern. You can click on those categories and see what strikes you? Even something simple like our Best Grilled Chicken Recipe or our Cedar Plank Salmon would go nicely.

  3. What a great combination–I used peaches as a neighbor was sharing from a tree in their yard–small but firm great peaches, cucumber from farmers market, and used reduced fat feta as what I had on hand, ( but will pick up some goat cheese for next time) pistachios, and also just got a small cabbage that I shredded as a base. Very good–I added chives and basil from my herbs and that takes it to another level.






  4. I made this for myself for dinner tonight since my partner doesn’t like cucumbers (how weird is that??) or goat cheese. OMG it was amazing! As in, I might make it again tomorrow. And the next day. Until the goat cheese is gone… So good I shared the recipe with my sister who got all the cooking genes in the family! thnk you!!!






  5. Just made this delicious salad with home grown cucumbers, home grown nectarines, and home grown basil – absolutely wonderful recipe I will use over and over whilst fruits and veg in season

  6. Made this yummy salad with one peach and one nectarine, a bit of aleppo pepper and grilled a piece of salmon to go along side. So good! I love to eat this way, so healthy and fresh. Thank you for a great recipe!






  7. So, to be honest. I didn’t make this recipe as written. I used it as an inspiration. I had to sub so many ingredients, as I was not leaving the confines of my air conditioned home at 7:00pm, while it was it was still 98 degrees here. I subbed peaches for nectarines, I didn’t have a cucumber and I subbed blue cheese for goat. Added a piece of hot smoked salmon, pistachios, and subbed aleppo for the urfa biba. It was divine. I did use the white balsamic. It was perfect!!






  8. I made this salad and added some cooked shrimp for added protein. It was so delicious! I’ll make again. Great dinner on a hot Houston day!






  9. Delicious way to enjoy the fruits of the garden! I added a few plums and reduced the nectarines and placed it all on a bed of arugula. Added a handful of toasted hazelnuts before serving. Beautiful and delicious. Another 5 star recipe. Thank you!






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