Best Summer Peach & Tomato Panzanella Salad
Peach and Tomato Panzanella Salad is the perfect summer dish. After making it dozens of times, I’ve discovered the trick to keeping the bread from getting soggy. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Try these Spicy Shrimp with Peach Salad for another summer delight. and Looking for a main course? These Honey Chipotle Chicken Skewers are perfect for the grill..
Why This Best Summer Peach & Tomato Panzanella Salad Is Pure Comfort
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Bursting with fresh summer flavors
- Better than takeout and budget-friendly
- Perfect for cookouts and potlucks
What You'll Need for Best Summer Peach & Tomato Panzanella Salad
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- ripe tomatoes
- fresh peaches
- day-old bread
- red onion
- fresh basil
- olive oil
- red wine vinegar
- garlic
- salt
- pepper
- Optional: mozzarella cheese
- Optional: balsamic glaze
📝 Ingredient Notes
- bread: Day-old bread works best for croutons.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Cast Iron Skillet — Even heat for perfect croutons. → See on Amazon
- Mandoline Slicer — Thin, even slices for perfect presentation. → See on Amazon
How to Make Best Summer Peach & Tomato Panzanella Salad
- Prepare the bread: Cut day-old bread into cubes and toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toast in a preheated 375°F oven for 15 minutes or until golden.
- Prepare the vegetables: Thinly slice the tomatoes and peaches. Finely chop the red onion and mince the garlic.
- Make the dressing: Whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, peaches, red onion, basil, and croutons. Pour the dressing over the top and toss gently to combine.
- Serve: Serve immediately, topped with mozzarella cheese and a drizzle of balsamic glaze if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Best Summer Peach & Tomato Panzanella Salad
- Common mistake and fix: Don't let the bread soak in the dressing. Add it just before serving to keep the croutons crispy.
- Substitution tip: No peaches? Substitute with pineapple or mango for a similar sweet and juicy flavor.
- Preparation tip: Prepare the croutons ahead of time and store in an airtight container. Add to the salad just before serving.
- Presentation tip: Serve in a large, shallow bowl to show off the layers of color and texture.
Storing & Reheating Best Summer Peach & Tomato Panzanella Salad
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Croutons can be made ahead of time. Add to the salad just before serving.
Freezing Best Summer Peach & Tomato Panzanella Salad
Not suitable for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat croutons in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes before serving. Microwave: Microwaving will make the croutons soggy.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: Use ripe but still firm peaches for the best texture and flavor.
- Best substitution: No fresh basil? Substitute with fresh parsley or cilantro.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the croutons and dressing ahead of time. Combine just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your dressing is too tart, add a touch of honey or agave syrup to balance the flavors.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality Olive Oil — Makes a big difference in the flavor of your dressing. → Check price on Amazon
Best Summer Peach & Tomato Panzanella Salad
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- ripe tomatoes
- fresh peaches
- day-old bread
- red onion
- fresh basil
Seasonings
- olive oil
- red wine vinegar
- garlic
- salt
- pepper
Optional Toppings
- mozzarella cheese
- balsamic glaze
Instructions
- Prepare the bread: Cut day-old bread into cubes and toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toast in a preheated 375°F oven for 15 minutes or until golden.
- Prepare the vegetables: Thinly slice the tomatoes and peaches. Finely chop the red onion and mince the garlic.
- Make the dressing: Whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, peaches, red onion, basil, and croutons. Pour the dressing over the top and toss gently to combine.
- Serve: Serve immediately, topped with mozzarella cheese and a drizzle of balsamic glaze if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: Use ripe but still firm peaches for the best texture and flavor.
- Best substitution: No fresh basil? Substitute with fresh parsley or cilantro.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the croutons and dressing ahead of time. Combine just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your dressing is too tart, add a touch of honey or agave syrup to balance the flavors.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not suitable for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Reheat croutons in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes before serving.
- Microwave reheat: Microwaving will make the croutons soggy.
- Make ahead: Croutons can be made ahead of time. Add to the salad just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 280
- Protein: 6g
- Fat: 14g
- Carbs: 32g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Cholesterol: 5mg
- Sat. Fat: 2g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Best Summer Peach & Tomato Panzanella Salad FAQs
Yes, prepare the croutons and dressing ahead of time. Combine just before serving to keep the croutons crispy.
Adding the bread to the dressing too early can make it soggy. Add the bread just before serving.
While you can, fresh peaches have a better texture and flavor. If using canned, drain well and pat dry before using.
Yes, it's a refreshing and light summer dish that showcases fresh seasonal produce.
While you can toast the croutons in the air fryer, the rest of the salad is best prepared in a bowl.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Best Summer Peach & Tomato Panzanella Salad and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
