Tasty Pear Goat Cheese Salad

Highlighted in: Salads That Fill You Up

This fresh salad combines juicy pears, nutty pecans, and creamy goat cheese with crisp cranberries and arugula. A homemade tangy-sweet balsamic dressing completes the dish. Red onions are mellowed in ice water for a gentler flavor, and the salad features creative variations for year-round enjoyment.
Una donna con un cappello a coda di cavallo e un vestito nero.
Écrit par Kylie
Last modified on Sat, 05 Apr 2025 22:17:10 GMT
Sweet Fresh Pear Arugula Salad Save it
Sweet Fresh Pear Arugula Salad | kylierecipes.com

**Charming Fall Pear and Arugula Salad with Tangy Balsamic**

Juicy pears tucked among spicy arugula make a salad that brings fall vibes right to your plate. Each mouthful blends fresh fruit, smooth cheese, and toasty nuts in a flavor combo that transforms an ordinary salad into something memorable. The homemade balsamic mixture pulls it all together with deep, zesty flavors.

I made this for our family get-together last week and noticed everyone, even folks who don't usually like salads, coming back for more. The way the juicy pears balance out the peppery greens while the goat cheese adds a smooth richness made it everyone's favorite part of our dinner.

Perfect Ingredient Guide

  • Juicy pears: They should give slightly when pressed near the stem
  • Crisp arugula: Go for vibrant, deep green bunches
  • Soft goat cheese: Smooth and tangy types are ideal
  • Red onions: Look for hard ones with shiny, tight skin
  • Dried cranberries: Get plump, soft ones
  • Whole pecans: Roast them at home for extra flavor
  • Extra virgin olive oil: Pick aromatic, full-bodied versions
  • Aged balsamic vinegar: The thicker, sweeter kind works wonderfully

Step-by-Step Preparation Guide

Onion Preparation:
Cut red onions super thin with a good knife. Soak them in ice water for 10-15 minutes. Drain and dry completely with clean kitchen towels. Set them aside till needed.
Pecan Toasting:
Lay nuts flat on a baking tray. Keep an eye on them as they turn golden. Take them out when you catch that nutty smell. Let them cool fully before chopping.
Dressing Creation:
Drop Dijon mustard into a bowl. Pour in balsamic vinegar and stir until blended. Slowly add olive oil while mixing continuously. Add salt and pepper as you like. Let it sit while getting other stuff ready.
Pear Preparation:
Clean and dry pears well. Slice them thinly from top to bottom. Take out seeds and hard center bits. Brush with lemon juice so they don't brown. Keep them cold until ready to use.
Final Assembly:
Put fresh arugula in a big serving dish. Arrange pear slices in a pretty pattern. Scatter soaked onions all around. Sprinkle with cranberries and pecans. Drop goat cheese crumbles on top. Add dressing right before you serve it.
tasty Pear Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette Save it
tasty Pear Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette | kylierecipes.com

My kids really go crazy for the sweet, ripe pears in this dish. How they match with the sharp goat cheese makes every bite just right. Even my little one, who usually pushes away anything green, asks for this salad all the time.

Changing With The Seasons

Fall gives us the yummiest pears, but this salad works great year-round. Summer calls for juicy peaches or nectarines, winter works with crisp apples or tangy citrus. Spring is perfect for fresh strawberries or ripe figs.

Do-Ahead Strategies

Getting things ready early makes putting it all together super easy:

  • Roast nuts and keep in a sealed container
  • Blend dressing and keep in the fridge
  • Clean greens and store them properly
  • Soak and dry onions the day you'll serve
  • Cut pears just before serving

Smart Kitchen Shortcuts

  • Check pear softness by the stem area
  • Roast more nuts than needed for other meals
  • Make extra dressing to use later
  • Let cheese warm up a bit for better taste
yummy Pear Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette Save it
yummy Pear Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette | kylierecipes.com

This salad has become my go-to dish for all kinds of gatherings. What makes it special is how simple yet flexible it is, letting me switch things up with the seasons while keeping its fancy feel. Whether I'm making it for just my family or a big party, it always gets me tons of compliments and people asking how I made it.

FAQ sur la recette

→ Why should onions sit in ice water?
It softens their strong flavor but keeps them crunchy.
→ Which pears should I use?
Pick pears that are ripe but still firm—they hold up best.
→ Can I prepare the dressing first?
Sure, make it up to a week in advance and keep it chilled.
→ Why layer instead of tossing?
Layering looks nicer, but the dressing will still coat everything.
→ How far ahead can pecans be toasted?
Once toasted, you can store them airtight for a few days.

Pear Salad Balsamic Dressing

Sweet pears meet tangy arugula, creamy goat cheese, and chewy cranberries in this colorful salad. Toasted pecans add an irresistible crunch, all topped off with an easy balsamic dressing. Great for any table or occasion.

Préparation
15 minutes
Temps de cuisson
~
Durée totale
15 minutes
Écrit par: Kylie

Type de recette: Salads

Niveau de difficulté: Simple

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Quantité obtenue: 6 Nombre de portions

Régimes: Pauvre en glucides, Végétarien(ne), Sans gluten

Composition

→ Balsamic Dressing

01 ⅓ cup of extra virgin olive oil
02 3 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar
03 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
04 1 garlic clove, grated or finely chopped
05 Pinch of fine sea salt (¼ teaspoon)
06 Freshly cracked black pepper (⅛ teaspoon)

→ Greens and Veggies

07 5 ounces of fresh arugula
08 3 pears, any type you like
09 1/2 small red onion, sliced thinly

→ Extras

10 4-5 ounces of creamy goat cheese
11 1 cup of dried cranberries
12 ½ cup of toasted, cooled pecans

Étapes de réalisation

Étape n°01

If you want, you can mellow out the onion flavor by soaking the slices in cold water for 10 minutes. Dry thoroughly after draining.

Étape n°02

Toss all the dressing ingredients into a mason jar, pop on the lid, and shake it up until well blended.

Étape n°03

Start with a layer of arugula in a big bowl, then add the sliced pears and onions on top.

Étape n°04

Scatter the goat cheese, cranberries, and pecans over the salad so everything’s evenly spread out.

Étape n°05

Give the jar of dressing another good shake and drizzle it over everything just before eating.

Détails supplémentaires

  1. Swap pears with apples if you’d like.
  2. Pomegranate seeds make a great cranberry replacement.
  3. Switch out the nuts for almonds, walnuts, or pine nuts.
  4. Cheese options to consider: parmesan, feta, or gorgonzola.

Outils et ustensiles nécessaires

  • A jar to mix the dressing.
  • A large bowl for tossing the salad.
  • Bowl for soaking onions, if needed.
  • Paper towels to dry ingredients.

Informations sur les allergènes

Vérifie les ingrédients pour repérer d’éventuels allergènes et consulte un expert médical en cas de doute.
  • This contains dairy from the goat cheese.
  • Pecans are tree nuts.