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5.0 from 39 votes

Pear Salad with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette

This beautiful fall salad with sliced pears, frisee, and tangy vinaigrette is simple to prepare and a showstopper when plated. 

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 361 kcal
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup (depending on how sweet you like it)
  • 4 oz center-cut bacon (I use thick cut), diced
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil (plus, additional, if needed)
  • 2 tablespoons finely-chopped shallots
  • 8 cups frisee lettuce , torn
  • 2 large pears , cored and sliced 1/8- to 1/4-inch thick
  • 1/2 cup halved pecans or caramelized pecans
  • 1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese (I use Danish blue)
  • Kosher salt and freshly-ground black pepper

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Whisk together apple cider vinegar, mustard, and maple syrup. Set aside.
  2. Place bacon in a cold nonstick skillet. Cook over medium high heat until fat is rendered and bacon is crispy. Remove bacon from pan with a slotted spoon and set aside. 
  3. You should have about 3 tablespoons of bacon fat left in the pan. Add enough olive oil to the pan to have 4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) fat total.
  4. Add shallots to the pan and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Slowly and carefully add apple cider vinegar mixture, whisking to combine. Season with 1/4 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper. Simmer for about 2 minutes, just until the dressing coats the back of a spoon. 
  5. Add about half of the reserved bacon back into the dressing, saving the rest to sprinkle over the salad. Let the dressing cool until just warm and season to taste with salt and pepper.
  6. In a large bowl, toss together frisee, sliced pears, about half of the dressing, and pecans. Season to taste with salt and pepper. 
  7. Serve immediately, topped with crumbled blue cheese, an extra drizzling of dressing, and the remaining crumbled bacon, if desired.

Notes

  • To prevent sliced pears from browning, dip them in a mixture of 50% water: 50% lemon juice.

Nutrition Information

Calories 361kcal (18%) Carbohydrates 30g (10%) Protein 8g (16%) Fat 23g (35%) Saturated Fat 6g (30%) Cholesterol 27mg (9%) Sodium 436mg (18%) Potassium 396mg (11%) Fiber 5g (20%) Sugar 20g (40%) Vitamin A 5445IU (109%) Vitamin C 12mg (13%) Calcium 111mg (11%) Iron 1.2mg (7%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 361

% Daily Value*

Calories 361kcal 18%
Carbohydrates 30g 10%
Protein 8g 16%
Fat 23g 35%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Cholesterol 27mg 9%
Sodium 436mg 18%
Potassium 396mg 8%
Fiber 5g 20%
Sugar 20g 40%
Vitamin A 5445IU 109%
Vitamin C 12mg 13%
Calcium 111mg 11%
Iron 1.2mg 7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.