Go Back
Kawaii but photo-realistic pear, walnut, and blue cheese salad with thinly sliced pears, toasted walnuts, crumbled blue cheese, and mixed greens drizzled with balsamic dressing.
Print Pin

🍐🧀 Pear, Walnut & Blue Cheese Salad

This Pear, Walnut & Blue Cheese Salad combines crisp greens with juicy pear slices, toasted walnuts, and tangy blue cheese for a fresh yet flavorful dish. Finished with a simple balsamic vinaigrette, it’s an easy, elegant salad that works beautifully as a side or light main for weeknight dinners, special occasions, or holiday meals.
Course dinner, Lunch, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Contemporary, European-Inspired
Keyword balsamic pear salad, blue cheese salad, elegant salad recipe, fall pear salad, holiday salad, pear blue cheese salad, pear walnut blue cheese salad, pear walnut salad, salad with pears and walnuts, simple gourmet salad
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 280kcal
Cost $10 for entire recipe

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Small bowl or jar (for dressing)
  • Whisk or fork
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Skillet (optional, for toasting walnuts)

Ingredients

Salad

  • 6 cups mixed greens or arugula
  • 2 ripe pears thinly sliced
  • ½ cup walnuts toasted
  • ⅓ cup blue cheese crumbles Gorgonzola or Roquefort
  • Optional: thinly sliced red onion or shallot

Balsamic Vinaigrette

  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1½ tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
  • ½ tsp Dijon mustard
  • Salt & black pepper to taste

Instructions

Toast the Walnuts (Optional)

  • Heat a dry skillet over medium heat.
  • Toast walnuts for 3–5 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant.
  • Let cool completely.

Make the Dressing

  • In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon, salt, and pepper until emulsified.

Assemble the Salad

  • Add greens to a large bowl.
  • Top with pear slices, toasted walnuts, blue cheese, and onion (if using).

Dress & Serve

  • Drizzle with dressing just before serving.
  • Gently toss and serve immediately.

Notes

  • ear Ripeness: Use pears that are ripe but still firm so they hold their shape and don’t become mushy in the salad.
  • Prevent Browning: Toss pear slices with a small squeeze of lemon juice if preparing slightly ahead of time.
  • Walnut Flavor: Toasting the walnuts enhances their nuttiness and adds extra crunch—let them cool fully before adding.
  • Blue Cheese Balance: Blue cheese can be strong; start with a smaller amount and add more to taste.
  • Dressing Control: Dress the salad just before serving to keep the greens crisp.
  • Make It Heartier: Add grilled chicken, roasted turkey, or chickpeas to turn this into a light main dish.
  • Seasonal Twist: This salad works beautifully with fall or winter pears and makes a great holiday side.