This salad is inspired by a local Kansas City restaurant called Nick & Jake’s. They toss theirs in a flavorful honey-lime vinaigrette and top it with grilled chicken for a complete meal. But it would also be a delicious side salad! Paired with candied pecans and gorgonzola crumbles, the flavor combination is irresistible. It’s the perfect salad to serve for a gathering, or you can top it with your favorite protein and enjoy it as a main course.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ripe pears are the star of this salad, along with the easy homemade vinaigrette. I use red wine vinegar to make it, but apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, or champagne vinegar would also work. The base and toppings are easy to customize. Spring mix makes an easy option when you buy the pre-washed version, but you could also use arugula, baby kale, red leaf lettuce, or any other variety of lettuce leaves you love. Crumbled gorgonzola brings all the flavors together in this salad, so I highly recommend you try it as written. Don’t use another blue cheese; the flavor won’t be the same. However, crumbled goat cheese, shaved parmesan, or feta cheese could be used as a swap.
How to Make the Best Pear Salad
To prepare the dressing, add the olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to a small glass jar with a lid. Use a small whisk or spoon to stir well, making sure that there is no honey stuck at the bottom of the jar. Then secure the lid and set the dressing aside. To assemble the salad, start with a bed of spring mix or your favorite lettuce in a large bowl. On a cutting board, slice off the 4 sides of the pear so you can discard the center with the seeds and stem. Then slice the pear halves into thin slices. Arrange them over the bed of greens. Next sprinkle on the nuts, cranberries, and crumbled gorgonzola. Shake the dressing jar well, then drizzle it generously over the salad. Toss well, then this pear gorgonzola salad is ready to serve right away. It makes an easy side dish or can be topped with baked chicken breasts for a complete meal. Looking for more salad recipes? Try my Holiday Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette, Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad, or Classic Italian Salad for more ideas. If you try this Pear Salad recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below letting me know how you like it.
