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:
- 2
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:
- â…› teaspoon
Instructions
- In a large salad bowl, combine mixed greens, sliced pears, candied pecans, blue cheese, dried cranberries, and red onion.
- Drizzle dressing over the salad just before serving and toss gently to coat.
- Serve immediately for the freshest flavor.
In a small jar or bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
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
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
