This Harvest Pear Salad with a fragrant cranberry vinaigrette dressing is a favorite side dish during the fall and winter months. Plump, juicy pears, sweet dried cranberries, and pumpkin spice flavored pecans complement each other in a beautiful, tasty way. I highly recommend trying the pumpkin spiced pecans. It takes a few extra minutes, but the flavor and extra crunch it gives to the salad is worth it. Load them up on this salad and enjoy the delightful flavor and texture. This pear salad recipe is a nice break from all of the creamy soups and casseroles that are loaded with fat. It is already gluten free and can be made dairy-free by removing the feta. Don’t get me wrong, I love all of the comfort foods of fall, but sometimes, something on the lighter side tastes really refreshing. It is low in cholesterol and saturated fat, high in fiber, and has a burst of vitamin C. Make this salad as a main dish by adding some protein like grilled chicken or chopped leftover oven roast turkey. The turkey goes especially well with the delicious cranberry dressing.
Variations of this Salad
Mix it up by trying different ingredients in this salad! Instead of Feta Cheese, try Blue Cheese or Goat Cheese. Instead of pecans, sub out almonds, walnuts, or cashews. Rather than dried cranberries, try dried cherries, fresh raspberries, or strawberries. Try a blend of spring mix, arugula and/or baby kale. Use a roasted pear instead of fresh. If you don’t like cranberry dressing, you can always try our Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing instead.
Ingredients in Harvest Pear Salad
Spring mix bagged saladFresh pearsPumpkin spiced pecans (see instructions below)Feta cheese crumblesDried cranberries
For the pumpkin spiced pecans
Whole pecansSugarPumpkin pie spice
For the cranberry dressing
Fresh cranberriesOrange juiceSugarOlive oilRed wine vinegarSalt
Cranberry Vinaigrette Dressing
The star of this salad is the creamy cranberry vinaigrette dressing. If you’ve never made your own homemade dressing, this is a delicious recipe to start with. You’ll never buy a bottle of salad dressing from the store again! Made with wholesome, fresh ingredients, this dressing is vibrant, so yummy, and really easy to make!
Mix fresh cranberries with orange juice and sugar on the stovetop until the cranberries pop, and then simmer for a few minutes.Next, pour the mixture into a blender and combine with oil, salt, and vinegar and blend together.The dressing is thick and creamy; perfect for drizzling over salads, or used as a fruit dip.If it’s too thick, add a tiny bit of water until it’s the consistency you like.Store the dressing in a jar in the fridge and shake well before using.I like to toss the dressing into the salad before serving and leave a bowl on the table for guests to add more dressing if they’d like.Refrigerate before and after using.
How to Make Pumpkin Spiced Pecans
These pumpkin spiced pecans are like candy! I love them on salads, mixed with yogurt, or just eaten plain. All you do is mix some pumpkin spice with sugar and heat on the stove over medium heat for a few minutes, stirring constantly and making sure it doesn’t burn. Then, toss the pecans in the mixture and spread out on a cookie sheet to cool. They are so yummy! You can also sub the sugar for honey or maple syrup.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pear Salad
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More Side Salad Recipes
If you are going to the trouble of making a salad, make it a memorable one! It doesn’t take a lot to give a side salad a little extra flavor and color. These side salad recipes are unique, healthy, and easy to make.
Nuts About Berries Salad – This salad is loaded with (you guessed it!) nuts and berries. It is fruity and refreshing.Mandarin Spinach Salad with Candied Pecans – My favorite part of this salad is the pomegranate seeds mixed in with the fruit and pecans. It is so flavorful!Kona Grill’s Red Pepper Coleslaw – Gorgonzola cheese and roasted red peppers give this traditional coleslaw a delicious twist.Asian Cucumber Salad – This low calorie salad is loaded with healthy vegetables and is lightly tossed in a rice vinegar based dressing.Fresh Mango Avocado Coleslaw – If you are lucky enough to find ripe mangoes and ripe avocados at the same time, you have to try this coleslaw! It is so colorful. The textures and flavors go so well together.Greek Side Salad with Greek Dressing – This flavor packed salad will not disappoint. Colorful vegetables, olives, and beans are dressed in an olive oil and vinegar dressing.
How to Make Harvest Pear Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette Dressing
Nuts About Berries Salad
Mandarin Spinach Salad
Fresh Mango Avocado Coleslaw
Greek Salad
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