This Apple Pecan and Pear Salad is drizzled with a homemade zesty apple cider vinaigrette. This salad comes together in less than 15 minutes and makes a perfect side salad to serve with dinner.
If you’re looking for a simple fall inspired salad recipe then you’ve come to the right place. This autumn pear salad with pecans and apples is the perfect side salad to serve with dinner. It's a quick, healthy and easy salad recipe that’ll be the perfect addition for your Thanksgiving dinner and holiday meals.
This apple pecan and pear salad is perfect as fall or winter salad. It’s filled with pecans, crisp apple and pear slices, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds and feta. Then, it’s all tossed together in one of my favorite fall salad dressings in an apple cider vinaigrette.
Why You’ll Love This Salad
From the crisp apples and pears, to the crunchy pecans and pumpkin seeds and chewy dried cranberries and tart feta, this Fall Harvest salad has everything you’ll love.
Since pears are in season in the fall and winter, you’ll be able to find the best produce. This salad is also great for festive occasions like Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.
The apple cider vinaigrette is the perfect sweet and tangy compliment for this salad. You can always buy a store bought vinaigrette to save time, but honestly, nothing compares to a homemade dressing without artificial preservatives and it’s so simple and easy to make.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Spring mix - any spring mix or baby green salad mix would go perfectly in this salad. You can also make this a kale salad if you like.
- Apples - I prefer using Gala or HoneyCrisp apples, but feel free to use your favorite apples.
- Pears - you can use any ripe and juicy pears that you like. Bartlett Pears are my favorite. Make sure to slice them thinly. Don’t like pears? You can eliminate them all together and make it an apple feta salad.
- Pecans - use halved pecans, these add a nice crunch and texture to the salad. Candied pecans would also go great. You can also substitute with walnuts or leave them out if needed.
- Pumpkin seeds - not only will the pumpkin seeds add an extra crunch to the salad, but it will provide extra fiber, micronutrients and antioxidants
- Feta - I made the pear salad with feta cheese however a creamy goat cheese would go great as well. If you wish to make this salad dairy-free opt for a Vegan Feta Cheese salad.
- Cranberries - Dried cranberries are a great addition to this salad with their chewy texture and sweet flavor. Don’t like cranberries? Try some golden raisins or pomegranate seeds.
- Apple Cider Vinaigrette Dressing - extra virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, real maple syrup, dijon mustard, garlic, salt and pepper
How to Make the Apple Pecan and Pear Salad
- Add all ingredients for the vinaigrette into a small bowl and whisk all of the ingredients together until well combined.
- Layer the spring mix with all the salad toppings (apples, pears, pecans, pumpkin seeds, feta and cranberries).
- Drizzle with the salad dressing, toss and serve.
How to Serve the Fall Harvest Salad for a Crowd
This pear salad can be served a few different ways: on a platter, or as a single serving on a plate. Here are some ways to serve it for a large family or gathering:
- Double the ingredients if you’re serving for a large crowd.
- Serve in a large bowl for easy sharing.
- Serve individually plated. Make individual plates and drizzle the dressing on each one.
Substitutes and Variations
- Greens - feel free to add in some baby spinach, red leaf lettuce or extra tender greens for more nutrition.
- Nuts - the pecans used can be substituted with sliced almonds, walnuts or any other nuts you prefer.
- Cheese - vegan or regular feta can be used. Goat cheese or gorgonzola cheese would also pair nicely in this salad if you are not vegan. Crumbled tofu is a good alternative for vegans.
- Dried Fruits - raisins, golden raisins, chopped dates or pomegranate seeds are also great options.
Storage Tips
This recipe is best served fresh; however if you have any leftovers, it can be stored in an airtight container for 1-2 days. You can place a paper towel on top of the salad before closing the lid to help absorb any moisture. Store the dressing in a separate container.
Recipe FAQ
You can use whatever your favorite apple is for this salad. A few varieties that I have used and recommend are Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Gala, and Golden Delicious.
You can use Tofu as a cheese alternative and make a great vegan substitute for feta cheese. Many brands also offer vegan feta cheese that you can buy from your local grocery store.
You can make the vinaigrette ahead of time but I recommend making the salad the same day that you plan on eating it.
If you slice the pears and apples too soon, they will turn brown. You’ll want to add the dressing to the salad just before serving so the spring mix doesn't get soggy. The dressing will keep well in the fridge for about 3 weeks.
More Recipes You May Like
Watermelon Cucumber Feta Salad
Apple Pecan and Pear Salad
Ingredients
Apple Pecan and Pear Salad
- 6-8 cups spring mix or baby greens
- 1 apple thinly sliced
- 1 pear thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup pecans
- 3 tablespoons pumpkin seeds unsalted
- 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
Apple Cider Vinaigrette
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3/4 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 1 pinch ground black pepper
Instructions
- Make Dressing: Add all the ingredients for the Apple Cider Vinaigrette to a small bowl and whisk together until well combined.
- Make the Salad: Add the spring mix to a medium size bowl or plate. Layer the spring mix with all the salad toppings (apples, pears, pecans, pumpkin seeds, feta and cranberries).
- Add the Dressing and Toss: Drizzle the salad dressing over the top of the salad, toss and serve.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Although HalfPastHungry.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on which products you use, the brand that was purchased, or in other unforeseeable ways. HalfPastHungry.com will not be held liable for any reliance on given nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your physician first.
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