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This pear salad recipe combines all the juicy sweetness of fruit with a medley of flavors from crisp greens and crumbly cheese. Salad with pears comes together just as fast as other fruity, healthy salads like grilled peach salad or strawberry spinach salad, but with a magnificently sweet white wine vinaigrette — and it’s so easy to customize!
Why You’ll Love This Pear Salad Recipe
- Peppery arugula, sweet pears, and salty feta
- Crisp and creamy
- 10 minutes from start to finish
- Sugar-free dressing option
- Fancy enough for Christmas or Thanksgiving, but fast enough for weeknights
Ingredients & Substitutions
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for arugula pear salad, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
Salad:
- Arugula – This dark leafy green has a velvety texture and mild, peppery flavor that goes well with the other ingredients. If you can’t find arugula, use a bag of mixed greens or any lettuces you like instead.
- Anjou Pears – I prefer green pears for their firm flesh and green color, but red anjou pears work as well. If you use a softer pear such as Bartlett pears, slice them slightly thicker to avoid smashing them.
- Feta – Crumble fresh, or get a pre-crumbled variety. If you prefer a different cheese, you can easily make a pear and gorgonzola cheese salad, pear blue cheese salad, or pear goat cheese salad instead.
- Walnuts – I use raw, unsalted walnuts for an earthy crunch. Pecans would make another delicious substitute.
Dressing:
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil – I recommend a high-quality oil as the flavor shines through in the dressing. You can also use a more neutral oil, such as avocado oil.
- White Wine Vinegar – Adds bright flavor and helps the dressing emulsify. You can also use apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, or lemon juice instead.
- Maple Syrup – Adds a deep, sweet flavor to pear salad recipes. For zero sugar and the same great maple flavor, I use this sugar-free maple syrup.
- Sea Salt & Black Pepper – For easy seasoning.
How To Make Pear Salad
This section shows how to make salad with pears with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
- Make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients. Set aside.
- Prep the pears. Slice them thinly.
- Combine. On a large platter or using individual plates, arrange the arugula with the pears, feta, and walnuts. Add the dressing to the salad and toss.
Variations
This simple pear salad works perfectly as-is, but there are lots of ways to customize it!
- Use Candied Nuts – You can make them on a baking sheet in the oven, caramelize them in a skillet on medium heat, or try a recipe like my sugar-free candied pecans in the slow cooker. Use instead of raw nuts.
- Add Veggies – Include thin slices of radishes, diced red onion, shredded brussels sprouts, or shredded carrots.
- Swap Fruits – If pears are unavailable, substitute sliced apples or grapes sliced in half lengthwise.
- Trade The Dressing – Use a creamy balsamic vinaigrette or homemade Italian dressing in this salad with pear recipe. You could also keep the same dressing and add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard for deeper flavor.
- Toppings – Add a punch of flavor with sugar-free dried cranberries, pomegranate seeds (sometimes called pomegranate arils), sliced hard boiled eggs, or crumbled bacon in the oven.
Storage Instructions
Keep pear salad in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store the dressing separately, in the fridge as well. Add the dressing right before serving.
What To Serve With Pear Salad
This arugula pear salad is a quick and easy addition to so many recipes!
- Chicken – Juicy baked chicken legs, balsamic chicken thighs, or air fryer chicken breast would pair nicely with pear salad recipes. You can serve them on the side, or slice the chicken and add directly to the salad for a full meal.
- Beef – Try this salad with beef short ribs, sirloin steak, or even a roasted beef tenderloin for special occasions.
- Seafood – Enjoy baked Chilean sea bass, crab stuffed salmon, or broiled lobster tails with this dish.
- Soups – Roasted cauliflower soup, ground turkey soup, or cream of asparagus soup pair well with this salad for lunch.
More Fruity Salad Recipes
Fruit adds a burst of flavor to hearty greens! If you like this recipe for pear salad, you’ll enjoy these other salads with fruit:
Recommended Tools
- Glass Mixing Bowls – Stylish enough to go from pear walnut salad prep to table. Find at Amazon or Target.
- Whisk – Polished stainless steel, and a durable comfort grip. Get it at Amazon or Target.
- Oval Serving Platter – This clean and simple platter has cute built-in handles. Find on Amazon or Target.
Pear Salad Recipe
Pear Salad Recipe (10 Minutes!)
This easy pear salad recipe combines fresh pears, walnuts, feta, and arugula in a sweet maple vinaigrette. Make it in just 10 minutes!
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Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them. Please turn Safari reader mode OFF to view ingredients.
Ingredients:
Dressing:
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
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In a small bowl, use a whisk to mix the dressing ingredients. Set aside.
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In a large bowl or on a serving platter, toss the arugula with the pears, cheese, and walnuts.
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Drizzle the salad with the dressing.
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Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 1/2 cups
- Nutrition info used regular maple syrup, but sugar, carbs, and calories would be lower if using sugar-free maple syrup.
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
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3 Comments
Abby
0Loved that I was able to whip this up for lunch super quickly! Loved the topping and how tasty they were together.
Julia
0Made this for a family gathering. It was requested that we all make something new and different. This salad was the biggest hit! I will be making more of it in the future! Thanks for the awesome and easy recipe!
Faye R
0This is now my go-to salad. Everyone loves it and it’s so easy to make!