Description
A festive winter pear salad with balsamic that brings together juicy pears, arugula, creamy goat cheese, crunchy walnuts, and a tangy-sweet balsamic glaze. This elegant yet easy salad is perfect for holiday dinners, cozy winter meals, or as a refreshing contrast to heavier mains. A delicious seasonal salad with pears that celebrates color, flavor, and texture.
Ingredients
2 ripe pears
4 cups arugula or baby kale
1/3 cup goat cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup walnuts or pecans, toasted
1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
1 tablespoon olive oil
pinch of salt
pinch of black pepper
Instructions
1. Wash and thinly slice the pears, leaving the skin on and removing the core.
2. Toast the walnuts or pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3–5 minutes, then set aside to cool.
3. Spread the arugula or baby kale on a large platter or in a salad bowl.
4. Arrange the sliced pears on top of the greens.
5. Sprinkle goat cheese, pomegranate seeds, and toasted nuts evenly over the salad.
6. Drizzle with olive oil and then balsamic glaze.
7. Finish with a pinch of salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
8. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
Choose firm but ripe pears such as Bosc or Anjou to avoid mushiness.
Toast the nuts just before serving for maximum crunch and aroma.
Add grilled chicken or lentils to turn this salad into a main course.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Tossed
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 130mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 10mg