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    Home » Recipes » Salads

    Pear Walnut Blue Cheese Salad

    November 3, 2021 by LaKita 22 Comments

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    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    This Pear Walnut Blue Cheese Salad is a fresh and delicious mixed green salad with candied walnuts, freshly sliced pear, a homemade salad dressing, and topped with a crumble of blue cheese. Try it soon!

    If you're are craving more delicious salad recipes, be sure to try making a loaded Ranch BLT Salad or a hearty Greek Chicken Salad. Both of these tasty salads are filling enough to enjoy for lunch or dinner.

    overhead view pear walnut salad in mixing bowl with forks, dressing in a jar, and cloth napkin

    Salads can usually end up in one of two ways. It is either boring with lettuce and a couple of tomatoes that officially make it a salad and not just a pile of lettuce or it's full of intense flavor, texture, and lots of good stuff. Of course, I prefer the latter kind of salad instead and this pear walnut blue cheese salad is indeed that kind of salad.

    First priority is eating a salad that is full of intense flavor. Plus buttery candied crunchy walnuts combined with sweet juicy sliced fresh pears, tangy dried cranberries, and topped with a crumble of blue cheese...I'm in!

    Jump to:
    • Why This Salad?
    • Ingredients Notes
    • Instructions
    • Storage
    • Recipe
    • More Salad Recipes

    Why This Salad?

    The base and texture of this salad is a bag of your favorite mixed salad greens. I choose to use a mixture of baby spinach, arugula, and radicchio. I love the combination of these three together and it makes me feel like I am eating a healthier salad that is loaded with tasty greens and various textures.

    But no, no, no it does not just stop there because this salad is also tossed with a homemade salad dressing that is super easy to make, light, and not overpowering. All you need to make this salad dressing is the juice of a lemon, some lemon zest, olive oil, a clove of garlic, salt, and Dijon mustard.

    Add all of those ingredients into a blender or food processor and process everything together until it is comes out creamy and smooth. This is a simple flavorful salad dressing that only takes minutes to make and can be used on any salad that you plan to make in the future.

    So much flavor is packed into this salad that it could never be boring and is totally delicious. Try it!

    Ingredients Notes

    ingredients for salad in separate bowls on marble surface
    1. Mixed salad greens - Select your favorite mix of salad greens for this recipe. I prefer to use a mix with spinach, arugula, and radicchio.
    2. Fresh pears - Grab two fresh pears for this salad. Any that you prefer will work, but I love using green anjou or bartlett.
    3. Candied walnuts - You may be tempted to use the premade candied walnuts, but it literally takes minutes to make your own.
    4. Dried cranberries - Add a tangy component and more texture to the salad and blends well with the other flavors.
    5. Blue cheese crumbles - Pairs amazingly well with the walnut and pear flavors. Just a small amount sprinkled on top is enough, feel free to substitute goat cheese crumbles if you prefer.
    6. Lemon, juice and zest - Add acid and citrus to the homemade dressing.
    7. Olive oil - The base of the homemade salad dressing. Extra virgin olive oil is perfect!
    8. Garlic - Minced garlic added to the salad dressing.
    9. Dijon mustard - For a tangy flavor punch to the salad dressing.
    10. Salt - Brings out the other ingredient flavors in the dressing. Try sea salt or any that you prefer or have on hand.

    Instructions

    Using a medium skillet on medium-high heat, add in the butter and once it begins to melt add in the sugar, water, and walnuts to make the candied walnuts. This step is optional, you could use premade, but this quick version is so much better.

    walnuts, butter, sugar, and water in skillet

    Stir continuously for about 5 minutes and transfer the candied walnuts to a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single even layer and allow them to cool and harden.

    candied walnuts on parchment lined baking sheet.

    In a blender or food processor, add in the lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, Dijon mustard, olive oil, and salt. Blend or pulse until the salad dressing is completely smooth.

    close up side view salad dressing in jar with lid on it.

    Clean and dry the package of mixed salad greens. Place the prepared greens into a large bowl and begin to assemble the whole salad. Clean and slice the pears and add on top of the salad greens. Add in the candied walnuts and dried cranberries.

    ingredients for salad in large white mixing bowl combined

    Drizzle on as much of the salad dressing as you would prefer and toss the salad until everything comes together. Top with the blue cheese crumbles and serve immediately. Enjoy!

    pear and walnut salad in white serving bowl with dressing in small jar and napkin

    Storage

    Store any leftover salad mix separate from the dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. There may be extra salad dressing left, store in the refrigerator as well in an airtight container or jar with a lid for up to 7 days.

    Recipe

    overhead view salad in white bowl

    Pear Walnut Blue Cheese Salad

    LaKita Anderson
    Pear Walnut Blue Cheese Salad is a fresh and delicious mixed green salad with candied walnuts, freshly sliced pear, a homemade salad dressing, and topped with a crumble of blue cheese.
    4.87 from 22 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
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    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 0 mins
    Course Salad
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6
    Calories 494 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • Candied Walnuts
    • 1 tablespoon butter
    • ¼ cup sugar
    • 1 tablespoon water
    • 1 cup walnuts
    • Salad Dressing
    • Juice of a lemon
    • ¼ teaspoon lemon zest
    • 1 garlic clove, minced
    • ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • ½ cup olive oil
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • Salad
    • 5 ounces mixed salad greens package
    • 2 fresh pears, sliced
    • 1 cup candied walnuts
    • ⅓ cup dried cranberries
    • ⅓ cup blue cheese crumbles (optional)

    Instructions
     

    • Using a medium skillet over medium-high heat, add in the 1 tablespoon butter and once it begins to melt add in the ¼ cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon water, and 1 cups walnuts.
    • Stir continuously for about 5 minutes and transfer the candied walnuts to a parchment lined baking sheet in a single even layer and allow them to cool and harden, about 15 minutes.
    • In a blender or food processor, add in the lemon juice, ¼ teaspoon lemon zest, 1 clove of garlic, ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard, ½ cup olive oil, ¼ teaspoon salt, and blend or pulse until the salad dressing is completely smooth.
    • Clean and dry the 5 ounce package of mixed salad greens. Place into a large bowl to assemble the salad. Clean and slice the 2 pears and add on top of the salad greens. Add in the 1 cup of candied walnuts and ⅓ cup dried cranberries.
    • Drizzle on as much of the salad dressing as you would like and toss the salad until everything comes together. Top with the ⅓ cup blue cheese and serve immediately.
    • Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days.

    Notes

    • There may be extra salad dressing left, store in the refrigerator in an airtight container or jar up to 7 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 494kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 5gFat: 40gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 210mgPotassium: 195mgFiber: 5gSugar: 25gVitamin A: 342IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 39mgIron: 1mg

    *All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.

    Keyword pear walnut blue cheese salad, pear walnut salad
    Tried this recipe?Mention @SimplyLaKita or tag #SimplyLakita

    Original post date 01/13/2017. Updated 08/28/2020 & 11/03/2021.

    side view pear walnut salad on small white plate

    More Salad Recipes

    • Tomato Peach Salad
    • Everyday Salad
    • Lemon Pasta Salad
    • Cilantro Lime Salad Dressing

    Have any comments, questions, or other delicious ideas for this Pear Walnut Blue Cheese Salad? Please share them in the comments below!


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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Akaleistar

      January 14, 2017 at 8:00 pm

      I'm not a big salad eater, but that looks delicious!

      Reply
      • admin

        January 15, 2017 at 6:38 pm

        Thank you! I love salads will a lot of 'stuff' in them...they don't feel so salad-ee 😉

        Reply
    2. Patti

      November 11, 2021 at 2:38 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is amazing--the crunch and sweetness of the candied walnuts, the sharpness of the blue cheese. When you add the garlic, lemon zest, and pears, this is like a party in my mouth. Amazing!

      Reply
      • LaKita

        November 15, 2021 at 4:11 pm

        Thank you Patti!

        Reply
    3. veenaazmanov

      November 12, 2021 at 12:17 am

      5 stars
      Nutty, fruity and cheesy and combination amazing. Best Salad at the Dinner Table.

      Reply
      • LaKita

        November 15, 2021 at 4:08 pm

        Thank you so much!!

        Reply
    4. Allyssa

      November 12, 2021 at 5:31 am

      5 stars
      Thank you so much for sharing this amazing pear walnut blue cheese salad recipe! Will surely have this again! It's really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!

      Reply
      • LaKita

        November 15, 2021 at 4:08 pm

        Thank you Allyssa!

        Reply
    5. Kathryn

      November 12, 2021 at 10:17 am

      5 stars
      I love all of these flavors in this salad! The blue cheese and pears pair perfectly together. This is our favorite salad to serve with just about any meal!

      Reply
      • LaKita

        November 15, 2021 at 4:08 pm

        Thank you Kathryn!

        Reply
    6. Mikayla

      November 12, 2021 at 10:59 pm

      5 stars
      This salad was so pretty when all tossed together. Flavors meld so well together and I will be taking this to any potluck I have.

      Reply
      • LaKita

        November 15, 2021 at 4:08 pm

        Thank you so much Mikayla!

        Reply
    7. Linda

      November 13, 2021 at 2:05 am

      5 stars
      Love the addition of pear in this salad and it makes this salad more delicious in every bite!

      Reply
      • LaKita

        November 15, 2021 at 4:09 pm

        Thank you Linda! The pear addition makes it so good!

        Reply
    8. Brianna

      November 13, 2021 at 11:03 pm

      5 stars
      Sweet, crunchy with a hit of blue cheese, this salad was fabulous! I absolutely love that light homemade dressing.

      Reply
      • LaKita

        November 15, 2021 at 4:09 pm

        Thank you Brianna!

        Reply
    9. Aya

      November 14, 2021 at 2:14 pm

      5 stars
      I love all the textures and flavors in this salad. It even looks so pretty and colorful!

      Reply
      • LaKita

        November 15, 2021 at 4:09 pm

        Thank you Aya!

        Reply
    10. Jenny

      November 14, 2021 at 4:56 pm

      5 stars
      I love all your salad recipes LaKita. And this one is a gem. We had guests last night, I grilled some steaks, made your pear walnut blue cheese salad and roasted lemon potatoes and everyone thought it was delicious. In fact, they said well done on the salad and wanted the recipe! I send them your link!

      Reply
      • LaKita

        November 15, 2021 at 4:10 pm

        Thank you so much Jenny, that sounds perfect!

        Reply
    11. Melissa Bongioanni

      February 03, 2023 at 9:52 pm

      5 stars
      I have made a version of this recipe! This is wonderful! I had it to go with an Alaskan baked cod and some garlic sourdough bread! Thank you! So wonderful.

      Reply
      • LaKita

        February 05, 2023 at 5:26 pm

        Thank you so much Melissa, that pairing sounds amazing!!!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm LaKita, a food blogger living in Northwest/Panhandle Florida. I love creating and sharing recipes that are simple to make and comforting to eat. Follow me for more delicious recipes.

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