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I absolutely love this time of year when pears are ripe and sweet, just waiting to be turned into something delicious! This pear walnut blue cheese salad is one of my go-to recipes to enjoy those juicy pears. It’s such a simple yet elegant dish, with creamy blue cheese, crunchy walnuts, and perfectly ripe pears. Whether you’re looking for a light lunch, a refreshing side dish, or something special to share with friends, this salad is the perfect choice. You can even top it with your favorite protein, like grilled chicken or salmon, for a satisfying meal that’s both healthy and flavorful. This pear and blue cheese salad is a tasty, feel-good recipe that highlights the best of the season!
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This Pear Salad With Blue Cheese
- Sweet, juicy pears paired with tangy blue cheese create the ultimate balance of flavors.
- This salad is quick and simple to prepare.
- It’s fresh and flavorful! Each bite offers a burst of sweet, crisp pears with creamy blue cheese, adding richness and depth.
- The dressing is effortless to make. Whisk together simple pantry staples for a homemade dressing that perfectly complements the salad.
- It’s a cozy, winter-inspired dish. Celebrate the season’s best flavors with this salad! For another delicious winter salad, try our kale pomegranate salad.
What Is Pear Walnut Blue Cheese Salad?
This salad combines sweet, juicy pears, tangy blue cheese, and crunchy walnuts. It is all tossed together on a base of fresh chopped kale. Dried cranberries add a touch of sweetness, while a simple, flavorful dressing ties the ingredients together. The result is a perfectly balanced mix of savory, sweet, and crunchy elements in every bite!
Ingredients Needed
For The Salad
- Kale: Chopped Tuscan kale is the base of this pear walnut blue cheese salad.
- Pears: Thinly slice one to two ripe pears for this salad.
- Blue Cheese: Add crumbled blue cheese for a tangy flavor that complements the pears.
- Walnuts: Chopped walnuts add nuttiness and crunch to the salad. If you don’t have walnuts, substitute them with pecans.
- Dried Cranberries: Roughly chop reduced sugar dried cranberries for a burst of tangy and sweet flavor.
For The Dressing
- Olive Oil: The base of the dressing is olive oil.
- Champagne Vinegar: Adds an incredible hint of sweetness to the dressing. If you don’t have champagne vinegar, substitute it with white wine vinegar.
- Maple Syrup: Adds a touch of sweetness and balances the dressing. You can use maple syrup, honey, or sugar-free maple syrup for a sugar-free option.
- Mustard: Stone-ground mustard or Dijon mustard adds incredible flavor and richness to the dressing.
- Salt and Pepper: To bring out the flavors.
How To Make Pear Walnut Blue Cheese Salad
Step 1: Wash and dry the pears. Then, slice them in half lengthwise. Next, use a melon baller, a small cookie scoop, or a one-teaspoon measuring spoon to remove the seeds and core.
After that, thinly slice the pears.
Step 2: Wash, dry, and chop the kale, making sure to remove all the stems.
Step 3: Roughly chop the walnuts and dried cranberries.
Step 4: In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, champagne vinegar, maple syrup, mustard, salt, and pepper.
Step 5: Add the chopped kale to a large bowl. Then, add the sliced pears, crumbled blue cheese, chopped walnuts, and dried cranberries. After that, pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine all the ingredients.
Serving Suggestions
You can serve this pear walnut blue cheese salad on its own as a main dish or as a side dish. It pairs nicely with cooked salmon or grilled chicken for added protein. Also, the richness of roast beef or pork pairs nicely with the sharpness of the blue cheese and the sweetness of pears. It would also be delicious served alongside a light soup such as our butternut squash apple soup, easy pumpkin soup, or carrot ginger soup.
Expert Tips
- Chopped Kale: To save time, you can purchase pre-chopped kale, but be sure to check for and remove any leftover stems. Lacinato (also known as Tuscan or Dinosaur kale) is the best option, though you can use any greens of your choice.
- Use Ripe Pears: For the best flavor and texture in your salad, choose pears that are ripe but still firm. Avoid overly ripe or mushy pears, as their softness will make them difficult to slice.
- The Best Blue Cheese For Salads: Some of the best blue cheese options for salads are Roquefort, Gorgonzola, or Stilton. They all have a bold flavor and creamy texture that pairs beautifully with the pears in this salad.
- Add Dressing Before Serving: To keep the greens fresh, add the dressing to the salad just before serving.
Storage Instructions
For the best flavor and texture, enjoy this salad fresh after making it. However, you can prep the ingredients ahead of time by storing them in airtight containers in the fridge, with the dressing stored separately. Assemble the salad just before serving to keep it fresh.
Variations
- Dried Cranberries Substitution: You can substitute the chopped dried cranberries for pomegranate seeds or roughly chopped raisins.
- Lettuce Options: You can make this salad with arugula, spinach, or baby greens instead of kale if preferred. Pre-packaged greens are great time-savers and work wonderfully in this salad.
- Nut Variations: We added chopped walnuts to this pear blue cheese salad. Some other options are candied walnuts, candied pecans, slivered almonds, or toasted pecans.
- Toast The Walnuts: Toasting the walnuts in a skillet on the stovetop or in the oven brings out their natural flavor. Just make sure not to burn them!
- Canned Pears: If you don’t have fresh ripe pears, you can slice canned pears to use for this recipe.
- Add Protein: Add cooked chicken, salmon, quinoa, or lentils to this salad for a boost of protein.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Pears Go Well With Blue Cheese?
For this pear blue cheese salad, the best pears to use are Bartlett, Bosc, or Anjou. These varieties provide the perfect balance of sweetness and texture, creating a delightful contrast when paired with the bold blue cheese and crunchy walnuts. Whether you prefer the juicy tenderness of Bartlett, the firm spice of Bosc, or the smooth texture of Anjou, each pear adds its own unique flavor profile to elevate your salad!
What Can I Use Instead Of Blue Cheese In This Salad?
If you’re looking for an alternative to blue cheese in this pear walnut blue cheese salad you can try goat cheese, feta, brie, camembert, or even a milder gorgonzola. Each of these options offers a unique flavor and creamy texture that complements the sweetness of the pears and the crunch of the walnuts.
More Recipes To Try Next!
- Kale Pomegranate Salad
- Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
- Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
- Blue Cheese Dressing
- Air Fryer Pears
- Caesar Salad Dressing
- Cranberry Apple Tuna Salad
If you try this recipe please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating ★★★★★ letting us know how it turns out for you.
PEAR WALNUT BLUE CHEESE SALAD
Ingredients
For The Salad
- 4-5 cups chopped Tuscan kale, stems removed (or arugula, spinach, or baby greens)
- 1-2 ripe pears, thinly sliced
- 1 ounce crumbled blue cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts
- 3 tablespoons reduced sugar dried cranberries, chopped
For The Dressing
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon champagne vinegar (or white wine vinegar)
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup (or sugar-free maple syrup or honey)
- 1/2 teaspoon stone-ground or Dijon mustard
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Wash and dry the pears. Then, slice them in half lengthwise. Next, use a melon baller, a small cookie scoop, or a one-teaspoon measuring spoon to remove the seeds and core. After that, thinly slice the pears.
- Wash, dry, and chop the kale, making sure to remove all the stems.
- Roughly chop the walnuts and dried cranberries.
- In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, champagne vinegar, maple syrup, mustard, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
- Assemble the salad. Add the chopped kale to a large bowl. Then, add the sliced pears, crumbled blue cheese, chopped walnuts, and dried cranberries. After that, pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine all the ingredients. From there, serve the salad and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Kale: To save time, you can purchase pre-chopped kale, but be sure to check for and remove any leftover stems. Or, substitute the kale for spinach, baby greens, or arugula.
- Blue Cheese: Some of the best blue cheese options for this salad are Roquefort, Gorgonzola, or Stilton.
- Walnuts: We added chopped walnuts to this pear blue cheese salad. Some other options are candied walnuts, candied pecans, slivered almonds, or toasted pecans.
- Protein: Add cooked chicken, salmon, quinoa, or lentils to this salad for a boost of protein.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
