Leafy Salad with Crispy Shallots Recipe

This Leafy Salad with Crispy Shallots recipe combines fresh mixed greens, fragrant basil, sweet plums, creamy gorgonzola cheese, and golden crispy shallots tossed in a bright lemon vinaigrette. Featured on Fresh Market Dinners, this easy seasonal salad celebrates fresh produce and contrasting textures, making it a beautiful side dish for dinner parties, summer meals, and elegant gatherings.

The Inspirations

A great salad is all about balance—fresh greens, vibrant flavors, contrasting textures, and a dressing that brings every ingredient together. Inspired by seasonal market produce, this Leafy Salad with Crispy Shallots recipe showcases how simple ingredients can create a dish that feels both rustic and refined. The combination of sweet fruit, creamy cheese, crunchy toppings, and fresh herbs creates a memorable salad that works beautifully as both a side dish and a light meal.

On Fresh Market Dinners, Amanda Herrera highlights recipes that celebrate fresh, locally inspired ingredients prepared with approachable techniques. This salad captures that philosophy by combining a colorful variety of leafy greens with seasonal plums, aromatic basil, and a homemade vinaigrette made with peanut oil, rice wine vinegar, lemon juice, and fresh shallots.

Coated lightly with cornstarch and fried until golden, the shallots provide texture and depth that perfectly complement the creamy gorgonzola and juicy fruit. The result is a beautifully balanced salad that brings together sweet, salty, tangy, and savory flavors in every bite.

Ingredients

6 cups mixed salad greens (curly frisee, red leaf, romaine, Bibb, iceberg)
½ cup (120 ml) torn basil leaves
1 cup (240 ml) sliced plums
½ cup (120 ml) finely sliced shallot greens
1 cup (240 ml) crumbled Gorgonzola cheese (substitute: any other blue cheese)

Crispy Shallots

Peanut oil, for frying
5 large shallots, sliced into thin rings
½ cup (120 ml) cornstarch
Flaked salt

Vinaigrette

¾ cup (180 ml) peanut oil
¼ cup (60 ml) rice wine vinegar
3 tablespoons (45 ml) lemon juice
1 tablespoon (15 ml) lemon zest
2 tablespoons (30 ml) minced shallots
Salt and pepper

Method

For the crispy shallots

Add peanut oil to a large skillet and heat on high.
Add shallots to a mixing bowl and toss with cornstarch until nicely coated.
Add ½ the shallots to the hot oil.
Stir and fry until golden and crispy.
Carefully remove shallots using a slotted spoon and transfer to a plate lined with paper towel.
Repeat with remaining shallots.
Season with flaked salt.

For the vinaigrette

Add peanut oil, rice wine vinegar, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced shallots, salt, and pepper to a jar or bowl and whisk until combined.

To combine

Roughly tear lettuce leaves into bite-sized pieces and add to a large bowl with basil.
Drizzle with vinaigrette and toss gently.
Transfer salad to a serving dish and top with plums, shallot greens, gorgonzola, and crispy shallots.

Serving Suggestions

This Leafy Salad with Crispy Shallots recipe is a versatile dish that works beautifully for lunch, brunch, dinner parties, and seasonal gatherings. Serve it as a refreshing starter before grilled seafood, roasted chicken, or steak, or enjoy it as a light meal with crusty artisan bread and a glass of chilled white wine. The sweet plums and creamy gorgonzola make it an excellent addition to summer entertaining menus, while the crispy shallots provide a gourmet touch that makes the salad feel extra special.

For a complete farmers’ market-inspired meal, pair it with grilled vegetables, fresh soups, or seasonal main courses from Fresh Market Dinners. Arrange the salad on a large platter with extra basil leaves, additional cheese crumbles, and a drizzle of vinaigrette for an eye-catching presentation that’s perfect for sharing.

Final Thoughts

This Leafy Salad with Crispy Shallots recipe proves that a simple salad can become the highlight of any meal when fresh ingredients and thoughtful preparation come together. The combination of crisp greens, sweet plums, creamy gorgonzola, fragrant basil, and crunchy golden shallots creates a dish filled with beautiful contrasts and unforgettable flavor.

Find more recipes from Fresh Market Dinners here!