Looking for an amazing pear salad recipe? My Harvest Salad with Pears and Pomegranates is fantastic! Beautiful enough for a Thanksgiving or Christmas side dish and simple enough to make for weekday lunch paired with chicken or turkey!
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This Pear Salad recipe is the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas Dinner
One side dish I always try to have on the table for a holiday meal (Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter) is a fresh, crisp salad. Often, we have lots of carb-heavy sides like potatoes and gravy and stuffing during the holidays.
Yes, these are definitely delicious and I would not serve a holiday meal without them, I feel like this Harvest Salad with Pears and Pomegranates is necessary to break to all the “beige.”
Here’s how this delicious Harvest Salad with Pears comes together:
Step 1: Start with your greens
You can use virtually any lettuce mix – I like to use a colorful spring mix for this salad. Baby spinach, escarole, freesia, and other colorful greens lend well to the color and texture of this salad.
Step 2: Add fresh pears
Sweet and firm pears are the centerpiece to this pear salad recipe. I chose red pears, however, you can also use Barlett, yellow or Asian pears as well.
Step 3: Other Add-ins to the salad
During the fall and early winter, Pomegranates are at their peak. You can find them in the produce section of most grocery stores. Peel of the outside rind and you’ll find beautiful, sweet magenta seeds in the center.
The pomegranate seeds add a lovely complimentary color and crisp texture to this salad.
I also added pecans and goat cheese to this harvest salad. The crunch of the pecans and the sweet creamy flavors of the cheese take this salad from great to exceptional!
Do you love pomegranate arils? Check out these other recipes that feature pomegranate:
Step 4: The Dressing
This honey balsamic dressing is one of my favorite dressings for a salad like this. If you’re making this salad as a side dish for a large meal, I recommend serving the dressing on the side.
Let your guests dress their own salad. If there are leftovers, store the dressing separately. This way the salad will keep longer and not get wilted and mushy.
Pear Salad Questions:
What type of pears should I use for a pear salad recipe?
- I like red pears for this pear salad. You can also use Bartlett, Yellow or Asian pears.
I don’t like pecans. What other nuts can I use instead of pecans?
- Walnuts, pistachios and almonds are all great alternatives in this Harvest Salad.
If you loved this delicious Pear Salad, then be sure to check out some of my other similar salads and sides that are great for a holiday meal:
- Apple Quinoa Salad
- Cranberry Citrus Salad with Goat Cheese and Pecans
- Kale Apple Salad
- Sauteed Carrots
- Hasselback Sweet Potatoes
- Ruth Chris Sweet Potato Casserole
- Parmesan Mashed Potatoes
- Roasted Rainbow Carrots
- Roasted Carrot Salad with Apples and Pecans
- Healthy Broccoli Salad with Apples and Cherries
- Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Apricots and Orange
Need some main dish inspiration for your holiday dinner? Check out our popular main dish holiday recipes:
- Best Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes
- Easy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
- How to Dry Brine A Turkey
- Apple Cider Turkey Brine
- Oven Baked Snow Crab Legs
- Garlic Herb Roast Beef
Here’s the recipe for my delicious Harvest Salad with Pears:
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Harvest Salad with Pears
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls These stainless steel mixing bowls are an essential cooking tool for every kitchen.
- Mini Whisk Fantastic for small batch recipes, this mini whisk is ideal for dressings, sauces and marinades.
- Cutting Boards This 3-Pack of non-slip cutting boards are a fantastic tool for every home cook.
Ingredients
- 1 5 oz. container spring mix greens or baby spinach
- 2 green onions sliced
- 1 large ripe pear sliced
- 1/3 cup pomegranate seeds
- 1/4 cup goat cheese crumbles
- 1/4 cup glazed pecans like Emerald brand
For Honey Balsamic Dressing
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic or one clove
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- ground pepper a few turns of the pepper grinder
Instructions
- In large bowl, toss salad greens, onions, pears, pomegranates, goat cheese and pecans. Set aside or refrigerate until ready to serve.
- In small mixing bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the garlic, honey, vinegar, olive oil and pepper.
- When ready to serve, lightly dress the salad mix and toss. Or, plate individual servings and dress just before eating. Refrigerate any undressed salad, reserving dressing in separate container.
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet says
We love to have salads for dinner every so often. This looks delicious!
delightful.e.made@gmail.com says
Thanks so much, Nancy! Throw some grilled chicken on the salad, and you’ll have a complete meal!
Madonna/aka/Ms. Lemon says
I pinned this salad. I have been on a pomegranates binge since they are in season. I just made an apple and fennel, now can’t wait to make yours.
delightful.e.made@gmail.com says
Enjoy, Madonna!
Gloria // Simply Gloria says
What a creative and unique salad…love all of the colors it has!
Tammy Northrup says
This salad is gorgeous! I’ve never ate a pomegranate. Do you eat the seed?
delightful.e.made@gmail.com says
Thanks, Tammy! Pomegranates are delicious, and the little red things are the seed/fruit. Has a tangy/sweet flavor. So good!
April J Harris says
What a gorgeous salad, perfect for adding colour and flavour to the Thanksgiving meal! Thank you for sharing, and for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party. Pinning this post, and I’m featuring it at the party this week. Hope to ‘see’ you there! Happy Thanksgiving to your and yours!
Leslie says
That is one gorgeous salad! And the colors are so festive!
Marie says
You just answered my what kind of salad should we make for Christmas dinner this year dilemma! I’m definitely serving this delicious salad. Pinned