This Refreshing Winter Salad with Pears and Pecans Recipe is all about that wonderful moment when crisp pears, candied pecans, and tangy blue cheese all come together on a bed of fresh greens. The flavors are so vibrant and balanced that every bite feels like a celebration of the season. Whether you’re looking for a showstopper for your holiday table or just want a nourishing, colorful salad for lunch, this recipe will quickly become your go-to winter favorite.

Refreshing Winter Salad with Pears and Pecans Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This is one of those salads where every ingredient sings! Simple yet thoughtfully chosen, each addition brings its own special something, from crunch to sweetness to creamy richness. Here’s what you’ll need, along with a few tips for getting the most out of each component:

Mixed Salad Greens: Use a variety like arugula, baby spinach, and cranberries for a lively texture and color.
Ripe Pears: Choose pears that are slightly firm so they hold their shape after slicing and don’t become mushy.
Candied Pecans: These sweet, crunchy bites add amazing flavor contrast as well as irresistible texture to every forkful.
Crumbled Blue Cheese (or Goat Cheese): For tang and richness, blue cheese makes it bold, while goat cheese keeps it a bit milder and creamy.
Dried Cranberries: Pops of tart sweetness deliver beautiful little surprises throughout the salad.
Red Onion, Thinly Sliced: Slicing them thin keeps the flavor subtle but adds just enough bite and color.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: The backbone of your dressing, choose something fruity and fresh for the best result.
Balsamic Vinegar: Classic and tangy, it gives depth and balance to the salad’s sweet-savory profile.
Honey: Just a touch rounds out the dressing with a gentle sweetness.
Dijon Mustard: Adds a little heat and brings everything together in the dressing.
Salt: Essential for brightening up all the flavors—don’t skip it!
Black Pepper: A finishing touch of gentle heat that ties the dressing together.

How to Make Refreshing Winter Salad with Pears and Pecans Recipe

Step 1: Assemble the Salad Base

Start by grabbing your largest salad bowl and adding in the mixed salad greens. Layer on the sliced pears, candied pecans, crumbled blue (or goat) cheese, dried cranberries, and those beautifully thin slices of red onion. The colorful mix is already eye-catching, and those different textures make each bite interesting!

Step 2: Whisk the Dressing

In a small bowl or a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper. Vigorously whisk or shake everything together until the dressing is lovely and emulsified. This step ensures that each drop will coat your greens evenly and luxuriously.

Step 3: Dress and Toss

Right before you’re ready to serve, drizzle the dressing over the assembled salad. Use salad tongs to gently toss everything together, making sure all the leaves are glistening and every ingredient gets a little love from the dressing. The aroma will make it nearly impossible to wait!

Step 4: Serve Immediately

Dive right in! This salad is best enjoyed fresh, while the pears still have their delicate crunch and the greens stay vibrant. It’s the perfect refreshing winter salad with pears and pecans recipe for when you want something impressive but effortless.

How to Serve Refreshing Winter Salad with Pears and Pecans Recipe

Garnishes

A little flourish goes a long way! I love topping the salad with a sprinkle of extra candied pecans and a few whole cranberries. If you want even more creaminess, a few extra crumbles of blue or goat cheese over the top add an elegant touch.

Side Dishes

This salad shines as a starter for a hearty winter meal—try pairing it with roasted chicken, pork tenderloin, or glazed salmon. If you’re serving it for lunch, a warm slice of crusty bread or a mug of soup makes it a complete meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties or special dinners, you can serve the salad on individual plates for an impressive presentation. Or, try building it in a large shallow platter so the layers are visible and guests can help themselves. Mini versions in small glasses or jars are adorable for cocktail parties, too!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftover refreshing winter salad with pears and pecans recipe, cover it tightly and refrigerate. While the greens are best enjoyed fresh, leftovers will keep for up to a day. The pears may soften, but the flavors only meld more.

Freezing

Salads like this aren’t suited for freezing, as the greens and pears lose their crispness. The candied pecans and the dressing, however, can be made ahead and kept frozen separately, making assembly even quicker for your next batch.

Reheating

This is a no-cook salad, so reheating isn’t necessary. To revive leftovers, simply toss with a fresh handful of greens and a drizzle more dressing to perk everything up.

FAQs

Can I substitute the cheese in the refreshing winter salad with pears and pecans recipe?

Absolutely! If blue cheese isn’t your thing, creamy goat cheese or even feta are delicious alternatives that keep the salad tangy and rich.

What’s the best type Salad

Bartlett or Anjou pears are both wonderful because they’re juicy yet hold their shape well in salads. Just make sure they’re firm but ripe for the perfect texture.

How can I make this refreshing winter salad with pears and pecans recipe vegan?

Swap the cheese for a plant-based variety or simply omit it. Use agave nectar or maple syrup instead of honey in the dressing—it’s just as delicious!

Do I need to candy my own pecans?

Not at all—store-bought candied pecans work perfectly. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can make your own for an extra touch of homemade love.

Can I prep components of this salad ahead of time?

Yes! Mix the dressing and candy the pecans a day or two ahead. Slice the pears and assemble the salad just before serving for maximum freshness.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend this Refreshing Winter Salad with Pears and Pecans Recipe enough. With its glorious mix of sweet, savory, and crunchy elements, it brings brightness and elegance to any table. Give it a try this season—you might just find it becomes your new winter classic.

Refreshing Winter Salad with Pears and Pecans Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 25 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

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Description

This Refreshing Winter Salad with Pears and Pecans is a delightful combination of mixed salad greens, sweet pears, crunchy candied pecans, tangy blue cheese, and zesty cranberries, all tossed in a flavorful balsamic vinaigrette. It’s a perfect salad for the holiday season or any winter gathering.

Ingredients

Scale

Mixed Salad Greens:

6 cups

Ripe Pears, thinly sliced:

Candied Pecans:

½ cup

Crumbled Blue Cheese (or Goat Cheese):

½ cup

Dried Cranberries:

¼ cup

Red Onion, thinly sliced:

¼ cup

Extra Virgin Olive Oil:

¼ cup

Balsamic Vinegar:

2 tablespoons

Honey:

1 tablespoon

Dijon Mustard:

1 teaspoon

Salt:

¼ teaspoon

Black Pepper:

⅛ teaspoon

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Instructions

In a large salad bowl, combine mixed greens, sliced pears, candied pecans, blue cheese, dried cranberries, and red onion.

In a small jar or bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.

Drizzle dressing over the salad just before serving and toss gently to coat.
Serve immediately for the freshest flavor.

Notes

For extra crunch, add thinly sliced apples or toasted pumpkin seeds.
This salad pairs beautifully with roasted meats or can be served as a light lunch with crusty bread.
Use firm but ripe pears for the best texture.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American