Pear Salad with Balsamic and Walnuts Recipe
A refreshing and elegant Pear Salad featuring mixed greens, thinly sliced fennel, ripe pears, dried cranberries, assorted nuts, and shaved pecorino cheese, all tossed with a tangy balsamic vinaigrette. Perfect as a light lunch or a sophisticated side dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Salad Greens and Fruits
- 4 cups mixed salad greens
- 2 ripe pears, sliced
- 1 fennel bulb, sliced paper-thin
- 1 lemon wedge, for squeezing
Nuts and Cheese
- 2 tablespoons dried cranberries
- 1 tablespoon chopped pecans
- 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts
- 1 tablespoon chopped hazelnuts (or more pecans or walnuts)
- ⅓ cup shaved pecorino cheese
Dressing and Seasoning
- Balsamic vinaigrette, for drizzling
- Sea salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the base: Arrange the mixed salad greens evenly on a serving platter or in a large serving bowl to create the salad foundation.
- Add pears and fennel: Place the thinly sliced ripe pears and paper-thin sliced fennel bulb on top of the greens. Squeeze the lemon wedge over the pears and fennel to add brightness and prevent browning, then gently toss to combine flavors.
- Top with nuts and cheese: Sprinkle dried cranberries, chopped pecans, walnuts, and hazelnuts evenly over the salad. Add the shaved pecorino cheese on top to enhance richness and texture.
- Dress and season: Drizzle the salad with balsamic vinaigrette to taste. Finally, season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper according to preference, then serve immediately for best freshness.
Notes
- For the fennel, slicing it paper-thin helps add a subtle anise flavor without overpowering the salad.
- Lemon juice prevents the pear slices from browning and adds a refreshing citrus note.
- Feel free to substitute hazelnuts with more pecans or walnuts depending on availability or preference.
- Use a high-quality balsamic vinaigrette for the best balance of sweetness and acidity.
- This salad works well as a light lunch or a starter for a dinner party.