This simple Pear Salad is absolutely delicious. Delicious pears sit on a bed of mixed greens with goat cheese, and it is all topped with homemade balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
I love bringing salads to holiday parties. Before you call me a grinch, hear me out.
Typically, holiday parties are fully of decadent and rich appetizers, drinks, and desserts. Bringing a salad can be a great way to ensure that a little part of your plate has fresh veggies on it.
This Pear Salad is the perfect recipe to bring to a holiday gathering. It is easy to make, has a dressing that is made to be thrown together the night before, and it has a delicious seasonal flavor everyone will love. They will be so grateful that you brought this gorgeous dish.
Pear Salad Ingredients
Here is a brief overview of the ingredients that make up this hearty salad. Be sure to scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full list of ingredients and their measurements.
- Mixed Greens: The subtle flavor and texture of a spring mix allow the other ingredients to shine.
- Fresh pears: Choose pears that are ripe and juicy without being mushy. It is up to you if you want to peel them; they are delicious with or without their peels in this recipe.
- Dried cranberries: Add color, flavor, and a chewy texture to the salad.
- Candied pecans: Add the best sweet crunch. You can make your own candied pecans or buy them at the store. You could also use regular pecans or walnuts.
- Goat cheese: Feta cheese or gorgonzola would also work if you don’t like goat cheese.
- Dressing: Read more about the tangy dressing I make from scratch for this pear salad below.
Pear Salad Dressing
The tangy dressing that is served with this pear goat cheese salad adds the perfect flavor. This salad dressing is best when it rests, or sits overnight in the refrigerator, which allows the flavors to combine and saves time when you are ready to serve the salad.
Making your own Salad Dressing has many benefits. Not only can you control exactly what is in it, but you can adjust the flavor to be exactly what you want. And you likely have all these dressing ingredients in your pantry.
- Balsamic vinegar: The flavor-filled concentrated vinegar blends beautifully with the olive oil and sweetness of the pears.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Makes up the bulk of the dressing so it is important to use a good-quality oil. Extra virgin olive oil is more pure and less processed than regular olive oil. Because of this, it has a better taste and is better for you, making it the best option for salad dressing.
- Honey mustard: Adds a subtle tang and sweetness to the dressing.
- Garlic: Adds a flavor profile. Be sure to mince it as finely as you can.
- Sugar: Helps to balance the acidity of the other ingredients and enhances the dressing.
- Kosher salt and black pepper
Tips and Tricks
- Making this dressing the day before you plan to serve it not only saves time when you are ready to eat but actually makes the flavor better because the flavors have time to marinate together.
- This salad tastes best chilled—especially if you’re serving it at a holiday dinner or summer gathering. Keep all ingredients cold until just before serving for peak freshness.
- Make sure your pears are ripe. Their sweetness is what makes this salad, so if needed, allow them to sit on the counter for a few days to soften.
Storing Dressing and Leftover Salad
The salad dressing should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. I recommend tossing the salad just before eating. Leftover salad should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eaten within a day or two. The pears will brown fairly quickly.
What to Serve with Pear Salad
If you make this pear salad recipe or any of my other recipes, please leave a comment and let me know!
Pear Salad
Ingredients
For Salad
- 6 cups mixed greens
- 2 pears sliced
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 2 ounces goat cheese
- 1/2 cup candied pecans
For Dressing
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey mustard
- 1 garlic clove minced or pressed
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt or 1/2 teaspoon table salt
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
For Salad
- Toss the salad ingredients together. Serve with the salad dressing on the side.6 cups mixed greens, 2 pears, 1/3 cup dried cranberries, 2 ounces goat cheese, 1/2 cup candied pecans
Balsamic Dressing
- Combine all of the ingredients together in a measuring cup or small jar. I like to use a frother to bring them together. For best results, make the dressing in advance and let it sit overnight.1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 2 tablespoons honey mustard, 1 garlic clove, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
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