4.9 from 27 votes
Pear Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Pear Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette is an elegant autumn dish with a stunning presentation. Sweet pears, peppery arugula, tangy Craisins, and crunchy nuts create perfect flavors!
Prep Time
15 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings: 6 servings as a side salad
Calories: 339 kcal
Course:
Salad
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove grated or minced
- 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper freshly ground
Pear Salad Ingredients:
- ½ small red onion thinly sliced
- 5 oz arugula
- 3 pears any variety
- 4 to 5 oz goat cheese
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup pecans toasted and cooled
Instructions
- (Optional) Soak the onions in a small bowl of ice water for 10 minutes to remove some of their harsh flavors. Drain well, and pat dry with a paper towel.
- In a mason jar, combine all of the salad ingredients and shake until well combined.
- In a large shallow salad serving bowl, add your arugula greens. Top with pears and onions.
- Sprinkle on goat cheese, cranberries, and nuts.
- Shake your dressing again if it has separated and drizzle it over the salad just before serving. You can serve with or without tossing; it’s prettier if you don’t toss it, and don’t worry, the dressing will work its way down to the greens.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Apples - Any crisp apple works well, or combine apple with pear
- Pomegranate Arils - Swap dried cranberries for juicy pomegranate seeds
- Berries - Add blackberries for a pop of color.
- Citrus - Peel a clementine or blood orange and cut it into crosswise rings
- Fresh Figs - Quarter fresh figs and add them to the top
- Nuts - Experiment with walnuts, pine nuts, sliced almonds, chopped cashews, or even our candied pecans.
- Prosciutto - For a little salty bite, try adding ribbons of prosciutto
- Greens - Use mixed salad greens, baby spinach, or even baby kale
- Cheese - Try shaved parmesan cheese, gorgonzola, a mild blue cheese, or feta cheese.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1serving
Calories
339kcal
(17%)
Carbs
34g
Protein
5g
(10%)
Fat
22g
(34%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3g
Monounsaturated Fat
13g
Cholesterol
9mg
(3%)
Sodium
198mg
(8%)
Potassium
181mg
(5%)
Fiber
5g
(20%)
Sugar
25g
(50%)
Vitamin A
224IU
(4%)
Vitamin C
5mg
(6%)
Calcium
49mg
(5%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings as a side salad
Amount Per Serving
Calories 339
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 339kcal | 17% |
| Carbs | 34g | |
| Protein | 5g | 10% |
| Fat | 22g | 34% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 13g | 65% |
| Cholesterol | 9mg | 3% |
| Sodium | 198mg | 8% |
| Potassium | 181mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 25g | 50% |
| Vitamin A | 224IU | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 5mg | 6% |
| Calcium | 49mg | 5% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.