Pear Goat Cheese Salad is a fresh and flavorful salad made with crisp pears, creamy goat cheese, mixed greens, toasted nuts, and a simple homemade dressing. The combination of sweet pears and tangy goat cheese makes it perfect for fall lunches, dinners, and holiday tables.
Why This Recipe Works
- Sweet and savory: Juicy pears balance the tangy goat cheese.
- Fresh and crunchy: Mixed greens and toasted nuts add great texture.
- Easy to make: The salad comes together in just a few minutes.
- Perfect for fall: Pears and goat cheese make a beautiful seasonal combination.
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 6 cups mixed greens
- 2 ripe pears, thinly sliced
- 4 oz goat cheese, crumbled
- ½ cup walnuts or pecans, toasted
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced
For the Dressing
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
How to Make Pear Goat Cheese Salad
- Make the dressing: Whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- Prepare the salad: Add the mixed greens, sliced pears, goat cheese, toasted walnuts or pecans, dried cranberries, and red onion to a large salad bowl.
- Add the dressing: Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving.
- Toss and serve: Gently toss everything together until evenly coated. Serve immediately.
Tips for the Best Pear Goat Cheese Salad
- Use ripe but firm pears so they hold their shape.
- Toast the nuts for a deeper, richer flavor.
- Add the dressing just before serving to keep the greens crisp.
- For extra flavor, use a combination of walnuts and pecans.
Final Thoughts
This Pear Goat Cheese Salad is a simple and elegant fall salad with sweet pears, creamy goat cheese, crunchy nuts, and a light honey-Dijon dressing. It makes an easy side dish for holiday meals or a fresh lunch any day of the week.
