Pear Walnut Salad

This sweet-and-savory pear walnut salad with parmesan cheese is an easy 20-minute side for the holidays or all year round. Tossed with herby balsamic vinaigrette, it’ll be the star of your upcoming gatherings, add protein and make it a meal!

Why You’ll Love This Pear and Walnut Salad

If you’re on salad duty for the holiday season, this fancy-but-easy pear walnut salad with tangy vinaigrette is perfect for you.

• Quick. It only takes 20 minutes to make this fresh salad side.
• Versatile. Add juicy turkey, leftover asparagus, or use store-bought vinaigrette. There’s room for creativity!
• Great for the holidays. Walnuts, dried cherries, and fresh pears are a heavenly flavor combination for a Thanksgiving or Christmas salad.
• Beginner-friendly. Anyone can nail this whisked vinaigrette and effortless tossed salad.

Recipe Ingredients

Buttery walnuts and red onions add plenty of crunch to this festive pear walnut salad. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact ingredient amounts.

For the Salad

• Spring mix – Feel free to use your favorite leafy greens.
• Pears – They can be peeled or unpeeled.
• Dried cherries – Dried cranberries work too.
• Walnuts – Pecans, almonds, and pistachios are a good swap.
• Parmesan – You can also use feta or goat cheese.
• Red onion – Thinly sliced shallots are a great substitute.

For the Vinaigrette

• Garlic – Fresh garlic is best.
• Dijon mustard – Stone-ground mustard works too.
• Dried rosemary – Dried thyme is okay as well.
• Balsamic vinegar – Reduce the amount by half if you use Balsamic Reduction.
• Olive oil – You can also add avocado oil.
• Salt and pepper – Kosher salt and freshly-cracked black pepper are best.

Tips for Buying Fresh Pears

The color of a pear changes depending on the variety, but here are things to look out for to select the best fresh pears:

• Smooth skin. Run your fingers over the peel and make sure it’s completely smooth. You don’t want it to feel bumpy, rugged, or even wrinkled.
• No bruises. There shouldn’t be any bumps or soft spots on the pear. If you see a dark spot that’s slightly dented, that’s usually a bad sign.
• Check ripeness. Gently press the pear with your fingers. It should yield a little bit, but not mush or feel completely solid.

How to Make Pear Walnut Salad

Once you whisk the garlicky vinaigrette, just toss the salad ingredients together. That’s it! Scroll to the bottom of the post for the full recipe card.

• Make the vinaigrette. Whisk all of the vinaigrette ingredients in a bowl until completely smooth. The oil and vinegar shouldn’t be separated. Set the mixture aside.
• Prep the salad. Add all of the salad ingredients to a large bowl and toss until well combined.
• Serve. Drizzle with vinaigrette to taste or serve it on the side. Serve and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

This sweet pear walnut salad with savory balsamic vinaigrette is great for using up leftover fruits, veggies, and juicy chicken.

• Make it fruitier. Adding 1/2-1 cup sliced peaches, apples, and blueberries can make this recipe even fruitier.
• Use leftovers. Mix some Garlic Parmesan Brussel Sprouts, Air Fryer Asparagus, or Air Fryer Green Beans into the salad to reduce food waste.
• Increase the savoriness. Add chopped prosciutto, salami, or crumbled bacon for extra savoriness. 1 cup should be enough.
• Swap the dressing. Use your favorite store-bought balsamic vinaigrette if you’re in a rush.
• Process it. Skip the whisking and add all of the vinaigrette ingredients to the blender. Process until completely smooth. You can also use an immersion blender for this.
• Add protein. Topping the salad with grilled chicken or turkey, Garlic Herb Crock Pot Chicken, Roasted Chicken with Lemon Garlic Butter is a great way to make this a heartier salad.
• Hold it. Don’t drizzle the salad with vinaigrette until right before serving to prevent the greens from absorbing moisture and softening.
• More greens. Toss 1-2 cups chopped kale, 1 cup baby spinach, and 1/4 cup chopped green onions into the salad for more greens.

Serving Suggestions

This refreshing pear walnut salad is an easy salad for your holiday dinners. I love serving it with my Thanksgiving Turkey, Maple Smoked Turkey, or Garlic Herb Turkey Breast. If you prefer steak, try my Grilled Filet Mignon, New York Strip Steak with Balsamic Reduction, or Ribeye with Herb Butter. Other side ideas include my Mashed Cauliflower and Roasted Brussel Sprouts.

Proper Storage

Place the salad and vinaigrette in separate containers. The salad can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and the vinaigrette for up to 7 days. Give the vinaigrette a stir before serving to combine all the ingredients again.

More Salad Recipes To Try

• Kale Salad with Cranberries
• Warm Fall Farro Salad with Maple Dijon Dressing
• Fall Arugula Salad with Roasted Grapes
• Grilled Peach Chicken Salad

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