Here is how to make a simple pear salad that is perfect for fall.
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Looking for the best Thanksgiving side dish ideas and Christmas salad recipes? This post is all about how to make a fresh pear salad recipe.
If you’re looking for a perfect salad to capture cozy fall and winter vibes, then a crisp pear salad is where it’s at! Made with seasonal ingredients like ripe pears, crunchy walnuts, and creamy feta, this salad is not only packed with flavor—it’s also super easy to make.
It’s the kind of recipe that looks elegant and tastes amazing, yet it takes only a few minutes to prepare the ingredients and toss it all together.
Whether you’re serving pear salad it as a side dish for a holiday meal or just treating yourself to a big dinner salad on an autumn day, this salad checks all the boxes: it’s fresh, it’s flavorful, and it’s fall inspired.
–In This Post–
- What is Fall Harvest Pear Salad?
- Reasons to Love This Recipe
- The Best Pears to Use for Making Salad
- How to Keep Pears from Browning
- Pear Salad Ingredients
- How to Make Pear Salad
- Tips for Making the Best Pear Salad
- Can Pear Salad Be Made Ahead?
- Serving Suggestions
- Recipe: Fall Harvest Pear Pear Salad
What is Fall Harvest Pear Salad?
A fall harvest pear salad celebrates fall seasonal ingredients, often with a mix of fresh fruit, nuts, leafy greens, and a simple vinaigrette dressing. Using pears makes it perfect for autumn, when they’re at their peak sweetness and juiciness.
The other ingredients—like walnuts and feta—add different flavors and textures, making this salad delicious and balanced. Pear salad makes a tasty dinner salad (just add protein—like cooked, sliced chicken), and it also makes a delicious, fresh, and easy holiday side dish for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Reasons to Love This Pear Salad Recipe
There are many reasons to love pear salad. Here are just a few.
- It’s easy to make. The salad is made with simple ingredients—perfect for a quick side dish, especially when pears are in season.
- It’s seasonal and fresh. Pear harvest salad is made with fall favorites like pears and walnuts, giving the dish a perfect fall feel.
- Flavorful combination. Sweet pears, tangy feta, and savory nuts make each bite of salad flavorful and interesting. To change up the flavor a bit, try adding sliced fennel or crumbled blue cheese.
- It has nutritious ingredients. Pear salad is packed with nutrients from greens, fruit, and nuts, so it can be a great place to start if you’re looking for fresh eating options.
The Best Pears to Use for Making Salad
For a fresh pear salad, Bosc and Anjou pears are some of the best choices because of their texture and flavor. Bosc pears are firm with a dense, slightly crisp bite, so they hold their shape well in a salad and add a nice contrast to softer ingredients. Anjou pears are juicy and have a subtle sweetness, which pairs well with savory elements like feta or nuts without overwhelming the dish.
Bartlett pears can also work, but they’re softer and more delicate, so they’re best if you want a juicier, more tender bite. These varieties are easy to find in fall and winter and bring the perfect balance of sweetness and crunch to a salad.
How to Keep Pears from Browning
To keep pears from browning if you’re making the salad ahead of time, toss the sliced pears in a little lemon juice as soon as you slice them.
The citric acid in lemon juice slows down oxidation, which is what causes browning. You only need a small amount—just enough to lightly coat the slices without affecting the flavor too much.
Then, store the pears in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble the salad. This trick keeps the sliced pears fresh and ready to go for a short time, so that your salad looks good and tastes good when you’re ready to eat or serve it.
Pear Salad Ingredients
Here are the ingredients that are needed to make fresh pear salad with balsamic vinaigrette.
- Mixed Salad Greens (4 cups). A blend of arugula, baby spinach, or any mixed greens you like will work great. They bring freshness and a peppery bite to balance the sweetness of the pears.
- Sliced Fennel (¼ bulb of fennel, thinly sliced, Optional). Fennel has a mild, anise like taste that adds unique fall flavor and an extra layer of crunch to the salad.
- Ripe Pears (2 medium pears, thinly sliced): Use firm, ripe pears like Bosc or Anjou. Their natural sweetness and slight crunch add the perfect seasonal touch to fresh pear salad.
- Red Onion (¼ small onion, thinly sliced): Red onion adds a bit of sharpness and crunch to the salad, helping to balance out the flavor of the pears and feta cheese.
- Chopped Walnuts (½ cup, toasted): Toasted walnuts give a rich, nutty flavor and satisfying crunch. Toasting them really brings out their depth. You can also substitute ½ cup of toasted chopped pecans, ⅓ cup of toasted sliced almonds, or a heaping ¼ cup of toasted pumpkin seeds instead.
- Crumbled Feta Cheese or Shaved Parmesan Cheese (⅓ cup): The salty, tangy feta adds creaminess that pairs well with the sweet and fruity pears. Or use shaved Parmesan cheese to add a salty, nutty flavor that works well with pears and walnuts.
For the Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing:
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil (3 Tbsp): Adds smoothness and richness to the dressing, blending well with the acidity of the vinegar.
- Balsamic Vinegar (1 Tbsp): The balsamic gives a slightly sweet tang that complements the pears and brings out the autumn flavors in the salad.
- Honey or Maple Syrup (1 tsp): A hint of sweetness in the dressing balances the tartness of the balsamic and the peppery greens.
- Dijon Mustard (¼ tsp): Adds a slight sharpness and creaminess to the dressing, helping to emulsify it so it clings to the greens nicely.
- Onion Powder (¼ tsp): Adds a touch of onion flavor without the bite, making the dressing more complex.
- Dried Thyme (¼ tsp): Thyme is earthy and aromatic, adding a subtle warmth to the dressing that ties the flavors together.
- Salt and Pepper (¼ tsp each): Essential for balancing flavors in the dressing and enhancing all the other ingredients.
How to Make Pear Salad
To make this fall harvest pear salad, start by prepping all your ingredients. Thinly slice two ripe pears and a small red onion, which will add sweetness and a bit of crunch to the salad. Rinse mixed salad greens to use for making the salad.
Toast ½ cup of chopped walnuts in a skillet over medium heat for about 2 to 3 minutes to bring out their flavor, then let them cool. The walnuts add an amazing nutty crunch to each bite. You can also substitute chopped pecans, sliced almonds, or pumpkin seeds instead.
Next, make the simple vinaigrette dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar, 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard, and 1 teaspoon of honey (or maple syrup for a cozy autumn touch).
Add fresh minced garlic, onion powder, dried thyme, and salt and pepper to taste. The honey adds just a hint of sweetness to balance the tangy balsamic vinegar and peppery greens.
Now it’s time to assemble the salad. In a large salad bowl, layer 4 cups of mixed greens, then add your pear slices, red onion, toasted walnuts, and ⅓ cup of crumbled feta or shaved Parmesan cheese.
Pour the balsamic vinaigrette dressing over the salad, and toss gently until everything is evenly coated, being careful not to crush the pears or wilt the greens.
Divide the salad into four portions and serve immediately for the freshest taste and best presentation.
If making the salad ahead of time, then store the sliced pears and vinaigrette dressing separately from the other salad ingredients. Drizzle the sliced pears with lemon juice to help keep them from browning.
This salad is an easy, delicious way to celebrate fall flavors, with a unique mix of sweet, tangy, and crunchy elements that makes it delicious for a fall or winter meal.
Tips for Making the Best Pear Salad
Here are some tips on how to make a fresh pear salad that’s perfect for fall and winter.
- Choose the right pears. Use firm yet ripe pears like Bosc or Anjou for a nice bite without them getting too mushy.
- Balance sweet and savory flavors. The honey or maple syrup in the dressing adds a hint of sweetness that complements the tangy feta and peppery greens.
- Toast the nuts. Toasted walnuts add extra depth and crunch to the salad. Just a few minutes in a skillet or oven enhances their flavor.
- Toss lightly. Gently toss the salad to avoid crushing the pears or wilting the greens, so each ingredient stays fresh and crisp.
Can Pear Salad Be Made Ahead of Time?
Pear salad can be made ahead of time with a few adjustments. Prepare all the ingredients ahead of time, including toasting the walnuts and mixing the dressing. Store the dressing in a separate container from the salad.
Slice the pears just before them serving to avoid browning. If you need to slice them in advance, toss them with some lemon juice and store separately until ready to mix the pears with the greens.
Serving Suggestions
Fall harvest pear salad is versatile as a side dish, and it goes well with hearty main dishes like roasted chicken, turkey, pork, or grilled salmon. It’s also great with crusty bread and soup if you’re looking for a lighter meal to eat this season.
Making fresh pear salad brings together everything we love about fall and winter in one bowl. From the sweetness of the pears to the crunch of the walnuts and the tang of the vinaigrette, every bite is loaded with seasonal flavor and texture.
Plus, it’s an easy salad to customize—just add in some shaved Parmesan or a few slices of fennel for extra flair. It’s a recipe that you’ll keep coming back to all season long, perfect for impressing guests or enjoying a cozy night in.
So grab some pears and let’s get ready to make a salad that’s as delicious as it is beautiful! Keep scrolling for a fall harvest pear salad recipe card.
Recipe: Fall Harvest Pear Salad
Fall Harvest Pear Salad
Ingredients
For the Pear Salad:
- 4 cups mixed salad greens
- 2 ripe pears sliced thinly
- ¼ small red onion sliced thinly
- ½ cup chopped walnuts toasted
- ⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese or shaved Parmesan cheese
For the Balsamic Vinaigrette:
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Start by slicing the pears and red onions thinly, which helps them blend better into the salad. Toast the walnuts in a skillet over medium heat for about 3–5 minutes to bring out their nuttiness, then set aside to cool.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey (or maple syrup for an autumn touch), and a pinch of salt and pepper. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- In a large bowl, add the mixed greens, pear slices, red onion, toasted walnuts, and crumbled feta. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat everything evenly.
- Divide the salad into four side servings, making sure each bowl has a good mix of pears, nuts, cheese, and greens.
Looking for more of the best fall salad recipes and holiday sides?
- The Best Spinach Salad with Apple and Roquefort Cheese
- How to Make a Delicious Kale and Brussels Sprout Salad That We Can’t Get Enough Of
- How to Make the Best Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
This post was all about how to make fresh pear salad.
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