Fall’s Finest Pear and Arugula Autumn Salad Recipe

Crisp autumn breezes inspire this delightful pear and arugula salad that dances with seasonal flavors.

Russet leaves crunch beneath your feet while sharp arugula leaves whisper of earthy afternoons.

Ripe pears bring sweet sophistication to every delicate bite.

Seasonal ingredients mingle like old friends at a cozy gathering.

Nutty cheese and toasted walnuts add unexpected depth to each forkful.

You’ll want to savor every nuanced layer of this elegant dish.

Discover pure culinary magic on your plate.

Why You’ll Fall for Pear and Arugula Autumn Salad

• Craft Seasonal Elegance: Transform ordinary ingredients into a stunning autumn masterpiece that celebrates the season's rich flavors and colors.
• Master Quick Preparation: Create a gourmet salad in minutes with simple techniques like soaking onions and shaking a homemade dressing, making restaurant-quality dining accessible at home.
• Boost Nutritional Power: Packed with nutrient-dense ingredients like arugula, pears, and pecans, this salad delivers a delicious punch of vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats that nourish your body.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Impress guests at dinner parties, potlucks, or family gatherings with a salad that looks sophisticated but requires minimal culinary skills to prepare.

What’s in the Pear and Arugula Autumn Salad

• Arugula: A peppery green that provides a robust and slightly spicy base for the autumn salad.
• Pears: Juicy and sweet seasonal fruit that adds a delicate freshness to the salad.
• Goat Cheese: Creamy and tangy cheese that offers a rich, smooth texture to complement the other ingredients.

• Pecans, Cranberries: Toasted pecans provide a crunchy texture, while dried cranberries contribute a sweet and tart flavor to balance the salad.

• Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar: A classic combination that creates a smooth and tangy vinaigrette base.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds a sharp and slightly spicy undertone to the dressing.
• Garlic: Introduces a pungent and aromatic flavor to enhance the overall taste.

• Red Onions: Sliced and soaked to reduce their sharp bite, adding a mild onion flavor to the salad.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance and balance the overall flavor profile.

How to Build a Perfect Pear and Arugula Salad

Step 1: Tame the Onions

Slice red onions thinly and drop them into a cold water bath. Let them soak for 10 minutes to soften their sharp bite.

Drain the water and gently pat the onions dry with a paper towel.

Step 2: Whip Up Balsamic Magic

• Olive oil
• Balsamic vinegar
• Dijon mustard
• Minced garlic
• Salt
• Black pepper

Seal the jar and shake vigorously until everything blends into a smooth, glossy dressing.

Step 3: Build Your Salad Masterpiece

• Fresh arugula as the green base
• Thinly sliced ripe pears
• Softened red onions
• Crumbled goat cheese
• Dried cranberries
• Toasted pecans

Step 4: Final Flourish

Give your dressing another quick shake. Drizzle it gently over the salad, allowing the dressing to cascade through the layers.

Serve immediately to maintain the beautiful arrangement and let the flavors mingle naturally.

Pro Tips for Crisp, Flavorful Autumn Salad

• Soak red onions in ice water to mellow their sharp bite and create a gentler flavor profile for the salad.
• Shake balsamic vinaigrette in a mason jar for quick, effortless blending and smoother emulsification of ingredients.
• Layer salad ingredients carefully to maintain beautiful presentation, letting dressing naturally distribute through the dish.
• Choose ripe but firm pears to ensure crisp texture and prevent mushiness in the final salad composition.
• Toast pecans briefly to enhance their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch that complements the soft goat cheese.

Seasonal Twists for Your Pear and Arugula Salad

• Spicy Autumn Fusion: Add sliced jalapeños and replace goat cheese with pepper jack for a fiery kick that complements the sweet pears.
• Mediterranean Remix: Swap pecans with pine nuts, use feta cheese instead of goat cheese, and sprinkle za'atar spice blend for a Middle Eastern-inspired version.
• Winter Citrus Edition: Replace pears with mandarin orange segments, add roasted butternut squash cubes, and use orange-infused olive oil in the vinaigrette for a bright, seasonal update.
• Protein Power Salad: Incorporate grilled chicken breast or seared salmon to transform the salad into a complete meal with added protein and substance.

What Goes Well with Autumn Salad

• Elevate Wine Pairing: Select a crisp, medium-bodied white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that complements the salad's tangy and fresh flavors without overpowering the delicate ingredients.
• Craft Cocktail Match: Mix a light gin-based elderflower cocktail with subtle citrus notes to enhance the salad's brightness and balance the creamy goat cheese and nutty pecans.
• Design Beverage Alternative: Brew a cold-pressed apple cider or sparkling apple water to mirror the pear's sweetness and provide a refreshing non-alcoholic option that connects with the autumn theme.
• Create Bread Companion: Serve alongside rustic sourdough crostini or walnut bread to add a crunchy texture that echoes the salad's nutty pecans and provides a hearty complement to the light greens.

Best Storage Tips for Pear and Arugula Salad

• Refrigerate: Store leftover salad components separately in airtight containers. Keep dressing in a sealed jar, greens in a crisp container, and toppings in individual sections to maintain freshness for 2-3 days.
• Separate Ingredients: Never mix wet ingredients with dry components before storing to prevent soggy arugula and loss of crunch from nuts and cheese.
• Revive Salad: Before serving chilled leftovers, let ingredients sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. Gently shake dressing, drizzle fresh vinaigrette, and toss to restore original texture and flavor.
• Quick Tip: Avoid freezing this salad as delicate ingredients like arugula, pears, and goat cheese will lose texture and quality when thawed.

Pear and Arugula Salad FAQs

• Are the ingredients easily interchangeable?

Yes, you can swap arugula with mixed greens, use different nuts like walnuts instead of pecans, and replace goat cheese with feta or blue cheese based on your preference.

• Can I prepare the vinaigrette in advance?

Absolutely! The balsamic vinaigrette can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week in a sealed mason jar. Just shake well before using.

• Is this salad suitable for a vegetarian diet?

Yes, this Pear and Arugula Autumn Salad is vegetarian-friendly. It contains no meat products and offers a good balance of flavors and nutrients.

• How do I select the best pears for this recipe?

Choose ripe but firm pears like Bosc or Anjou.

Pear and Arugula Autumn Salad Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Crisp autumn winds whisper through this elegant Pear and Arugula Salad, blending sweet fruit with peppery greens. Delicate flavors dance across your plate, promising a delightful seasonal harmony that celebrates fresh, simple ingredients.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 pears, ripe and firm
• 4 cups arugula

Dressing Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup (79 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) Dijon mustard

Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 garlic clove, grated or minced
• 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 grams) fine sea salt
• 1/8 teaspoon (0.625 grams) freshly ground black pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Neutralize the pungent red onions by immersing them in ice water for 10 minutes, then drain and pat dry, softening their sharp flavor profile.
2. Create a vibrant balsamic vinaigrette by vigorously shaking olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a sealed mason jar until thoroughly emulsified.
3. Artfully arrange a bed of peppery arugula in a wide, shallow serving bowl, creating a verdant foundation for the subsequent layers.
4. Carefully cascade sliced pears, drained onions, crumbled goat cheese, ruby-hued cranberries, and toasted pecans across the arugula, creating a visually appealing landscape of textures and colors.
5. Gently drizzle the freshly prepared vinaigrette over the salad, allowing it to cascade naturally between ingredients without disturbing the carefully constructed composition, ensuring each bite promises a harmonious blend of flavors.

Notes

• Soak red onions in ice water to mellow their sharp bite and create a gentler flavor profile for the salad.
• Choose ripe but firm pears to maintain crisp texture and prevent mushy consistency when slicing.
• Toast pecans quickly in a dry skillet to enhance their nutty flavor and add extra crunch to the salad.
• Experiment with different goat cheese varieties like herbed or aged versions to customize the salad’s taste complexity.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 310
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 60 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 29 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 2 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg