Pecan and Pear Salad with Feta Cheese
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This quick and easy Pecan and Pear Salad is full of fresh greens, juicy pears, crunchy pecans, sweet bell peppers, and salty feta.
It’s sure to become a new favorite salad with all the different textures and tastes.
When I was in sales, my team and I often met at Nordstrom’s café, where we enjoyed the most amazing pear salads. Sadly, they’ve since taken it off the menu, but I recreated this pecan and pear salad based on my memories, so now we can enjoy this easy side dish with just about any meal.
If you’re craving a heartier salad, try my Caesar Chicken Salad. It’s a family favorite that’s super easy to put together and guaranteed to be a hit!
Why you will love this pear pecan salad
- Refreshing – The perfect winter salad with fresh greens and sweet pears.
- Healthy – Homemade dressing and fresh produce make for a gorgeous, nutritious salad.
- Simple – This easy salad recipe will make a great addition to your salad repertoire.
- Versatile – Simple enough for everyday or festive enough for the holiday season.
Ingredients For This Green Pear Salad
Salad
- Spring Mix – Spring mix pairs nicely with the pears, but any greens will work.
- Feta Cheese – Feta cheese adds some saltiness to the salad.
- Pear – Fresh, ripe pears add natural sweetness.
- Pecans – Pecans add a touch of crunch and protein.
- Diced Bell Pepper – Any color bell pepper will add color and crunch.
Salad Dressing For Pear Salad
- Olive Oil – Extra virgin olive oil is best, but any type will work.
- Red Wine Vinegar – Red wine vinegar adds acidity to complement the oil.
- Dijon Mustard – Dijon mustard is great, but any whole-grain mustard will work.
- Honey – Any honey will add sweetness and balance the flavors of the dressing.
- Lemon Juice – Fresh lemon juice is best, but jarred is a good substitute.
- Red Pepper Flakes – Add as much or as little as you like for a touch of spice.
- Garlic – Use fresh minced garlic for the best flavor. Jarred garlic is a good option if you don’t have any fresh on hand.
- Salt – A touch of salt to enhance the flavor.
- Black Pepper – Freshly ground black pepper is best.
How to make a pear salad with feta
Step 1: In a large bowl, layer spring mix, feta cheese, pear slices, roughly chopped pecans, and diced bell pepper.
Step 2: Add the dressing ingredients in a small bowl or a mason jar and whisk or shake until the dressing is well combined and smooth.
Step 3: Drizzle the dressing over the salad mixture and gently toss to coat all ingredients. Add a tablespoon at a time to ensure you don’t over dress the salad.
Step 4: Serve immediately.
Kitchen tools to make a pecan and pear salad
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Buy Now → Pear Salad Ideas: Candied Pecans and Other Salad Add-Ins
- Want to elevate this pear salad with candied pecans? Check out my friend’s recipe from Stress Baking’s blog here!
- Or, toss in some homemade croutons for more flavor and crunch.
- Sprinkle hemp seeds over the pecan and pear salad for added protein.
- Mix in dried cranberries or pomegranate seeds for more color and texture.
- Make a pear and gorgonzola salad by substituting the cheese.
- Roast the pecans for a deeper, nuttier flavor—or roast walnuts as a substitute.
- Try mandarin oranges, craisins, or a crisp apple if you don’t have any pears on hand.
- Change up the greens and make a kale salad or a spinach salad.
FAQ
Fresh pears whether it be Anjou or Bartlett pears make the best salad add-ins. If you can’t find either of these you can most definitely use any other variety.
The best way to cut pears for a pear and pecan salad is to core the pear and slice with a 4″ paring knife.
You can use canned pears but note they will be much softer in texture than fresh pears.
Tips and Substitutions
- Do not over-dress the salad, or the leaves will start to wilt and get soggy.
- If possible, wait until just before you want to serve the salad to cut the pears so they don’t begin to turn brown.
- Instead of honey, use maple syrup or substitute balsamic vinegar for the red wine vinegar.
- If you already have a balsamic vinaigrette in the fridge, you can use it instead of this dressing.
Make-ahead and storage for a simple pear salad
Make ahead: You can easily prep this salad with the recipe for pears and place it in an airtight container a few days before you want to eat it. Then, dress the salad just before serving.
Hold off cutting the pears until you are ready to eat the salad. If possible, dress only the amount you want to eat as a dressed salad does not keep well. The salad dressing can also be prepared in advance and stored in a separate container.
Storage: Any leftover salad that has not been dressed will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days. The pear may turn slightly brown but they will still be good to eat. The salad dressing can be kept in the fridge for up to one week.
It is not recommended to freeze the pear salad recipe or the dressing.
How to find a ripe pear
Finding ripe pears at the grocery store may be a challenge. If you have this salad on your list for the week, buying the pear a few days in advance is best to let it ripen.
The longer it ripens, the sweeter and softer it will be. If you don’t mind crunchy pears, you can eat them when you buy them instead of letting them soften and sweeten.
What to serve with pear feta salad
Pear salad goes well with pretty much any dish, but soup and salad always make for a nice light meal. Try one of these soups alongside your pear salad with feta.
More salad recipes
- Mandarin Orange Jello Salad With Cottage Cheese
- Pesto Pasta Tuna Salad
- Chicken Salad
- Broccoli Cauliflower Salad With Bacon
- Wedge Salad with Bacon
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Pear and Pecan Salad
Ingredients
Salad
- 14 ounce Spring Mix
- 1/4 cup Feta Cheese
- 1 large Pear
- 1/4 cup Pecans
- 1/4 cup Diced Bell Pepper
Dressing
- 1/4 cup Olive Oil
- 1/4 cup Red Wine Vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
- 1 Tablespoon Honey
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
- 2 cloves Minced Garlic
- 1/8 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes Optional
- Pinch of Salt
- Pinch of Black Pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, layer spring mix, feta cheese, sliced pear, roughly chopped pecans, and diced bell pepper.14 ounce Spring Mix, 1/4 cup Feta Cheese, 1 large Pear, 1/4 cup Pecans, 1/4 cup Diced Bell Pepper
- Add the dressing ingredients to a small bowl or a mason jar and whisk or shake until the dressing is well combined and smooth.1/4 cup Olive Oil, 1/4 cup Red Wine Vinegar, 1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard, 1 Tablespoon Honey, 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice, 1/8 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes, Pinch of Salt, Pinch of Black Pepper, 2 cloves Minced Garlic
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad mixture and gently toss to coat all ingredients. Add a tablespoon at a time to ensure you don't over dress the salad.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
-
- Do not over-dress the salad, or the leaves will start to wilt and get soggy.
- If possible, wait until just before you want to serve the salad to cut the pears so they don’t start to turn brown.
- Instead of honey, use maple syrup or substitute balsamic vinegar for the red wine vinegar.
- If you already have a balsamic vinaigrette in the fridge, you can use it instead of this dressing.
