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GET IT NOWMy Pear Salad Has the Perfect Balance of Sweet & Tangy
This pear salad started as a quick weeknight throw-together… but after testing it with different dressings, cheeses, and greens, it turned into one of my favorite salads for fall and winter. It’s sweet, salty, creamy, and crisp all at once, and honestly, it looks way fancier than it is. Here’s why I think you’ll love this pear salad recipe:
- Flavor + texture balance – Juicy pears, tangy feta, earthy walnuts, and peppery arugula give you that sweet-salty-creamy-crunchy combo. It tastes like fall on a fork.
- Quick and easy – Start to finish, this pear salad takes just 10 minutes. I usually toss it together while the main dish finishes up in the oven or on the stove.
- Simple ingredients – Just a few in the salad and a few in the dressing.
- Goes with everything – I’ve served it with everything from Cornish hens and roast beef to grilled chicken or salmon. It’s even beautiful enough for your Christmas or Thanksgiving table, but simple enough to whip up on a busy weeknight.
Whether you’re serving it as a holiday side dish or just want something fresh with your protein, this salad with pears is always a hit. Make it with me!
Reader Review
“Made 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!” –Julia
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for my pear salad recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
- Arugula – I love using arugula for its soft texture and peppery bite, but you can also choose mixed greens, baby kale, chopped romaine, or even shaved brussels sprouts. For heartier greens like kale, I recommend massaging them first, but for arugula it’s not necessary.
- Pears – I like Anjou pears for this salad, because they hold up well to thin slices, but I’ve also made this pear salad with Bartlett pears (which are softer) and just sliced them a little thicker. This salad also works well with apples! Or if you’ve got extra pears to use up, my try my pear tart recipe next.
- Feta Cheese – The tangy flavor is the perfect contrast to the sweetness of the pears. Recently I started crumbling it fresh instead of buying crumbled, and it tastes so much better! You can swap in gorgonzola or blue cheese for a stronger flavor, or goat cheese for something milder.
- Walnuts – For crunch! Other fall nuts, like pecans, almonds, or even hazelnuts, also pair nicely here. If you need a nut-free option, try pepitas.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil – The dressing base. If you prefer a milder taste, try avocado oil.
- White Wine Vinegar – I started buying this in addition to my usual, regular balsamic, and I’m obsessed! It still has that subtle sweetness, but a more subtle flavor. Otherwise you can definitely use regular balsamic vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or even lemon juice.
- Maple Syrup – For fall-inspired sweetness that goes perfectly with the pears. I usually use my natural sugar-free maple syrup — try it and you’ll be surprised how much it tastes like Grade A syrup! You can also swap in honey (or my natural sugar-free honey) if you prefer.
- Sea Salt & Black Pepper
How To Make A Pear Salad
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
- Make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients.
- Prep the pears. I slice them super thin for a nice texture… unless they’re softer pears, which hold up better with medium-thickness wedges.
- Assemble the pear salad. Arrange the arugula, pears, feta, and walnuts on a large platter or individual plates. Drizzle with dressing and enjoy!
Recipe Variations
- Make it more hearty: Some crumbled bacon, hard boiled eggs, or even chickpeas are great ways to make this salad more filling.
- Add more sweetness: If you’re craving more sweet fall flavor, try a handful of pomegranate seeds, sugar-free dried cranberries, or even roasted butternut squash.
- Make it a meal: I love this pear salad for lunch by adding sliced baked chicken breast (or balsamic chicken thighs for extra flavor), tender sirloin steak, or flaky air fryer salmon on top.
Pear Salad (Easy Recipe)
My easy pear salad recipe features sweet pears, crunchy walnuts, tangy feta, and arugula tossed in maple vinaigrette. Ready in 10 minutes!
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Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.
Ingredients:
Dressing:
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
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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.
LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 1/2 cups
- Variations: Check out my recipe variations above for ways I love to change it up.
- Storage: This pear salad is best fresh, but if you have leftovers, keep them in an airtight container in the fridge. It only lasts maybe a day if dressed, but can go up to 3 days if the dressing is separate.
- Note on nutrition: I used Wholesome Yum Zero Sugar Maple Syrup for the dressing. The sugar will be higher if you use regular.
📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Healthy Ebook Bundle!
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy.
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Pear Salad
5 Comments
Brianne Brower
0This is the perfect fall salad! I use goat cheese instead of feta because I really love goat cheese! I added a some shredded chicken for more protein. So good!
Wholesome Yum D
0I’m so happy you liked it, Brianne! Goat cheese and shredded chicken sound like delicious additions. Perfect fall meal!
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!