This Pear, Arugula and Goat Cheese Salad is a light and refreshing salad that's bursting with flavor! Peppery arugula, sweet juicy pears, creamy goat cheese, and crunchy walnuts, make this salad the ultimate summer favorite.
It's salad season, and I'm on the hunt for the perfect one! This Arugula Pear and Goat Cheese Salad has been calling my name - there's something about a soft cheese in a salad that makes it feel a bit indulgent, don't you think?
Make this salad when you want the perfect side dish to go with something like grilled chicken, pork, or steak. It's the perfect summer salad, although it's a great one to keep in your back pocket for any time of year, even in cooler months. Pears are still in season during the fall months. It also makes a great winter salad - perfect alongside a holiday dinner.
In This Post
Why This Recipe Works
This is a great summer salad for so many reasons!
- Easy. Let's be honest, most salads are pretty easy to pull off. But this one is great because the dressing is super simple to whip up, and you can literally just toss everything together.
- Great texture. I love the blend of textures and tastes here. Creamy goat cheese, crunchy walnuts, chewy cranberries, it's a great mix that satisfies all my cravings - even for a salad!
- Delicious. All the flavors in this baby are perfectly suited for each other. I love the rich tang of the goat cheese, the sweetness of the pears, and the peppery notes of arugula. Delish!
- Elegant. If you're looking for a simple salad to impress, this one checks the box. Personally, I love fanning the pears over the top in an eye-catching design.
Key Ingredients
There are only a handful of ingredients needed for this easy arugula pear salad.
- Fresh arugula. The star ingredient of this salad, arugula adds a peppery flavor and crisp texture.
- Ripe pears. The summer months are a great time to experiment with different types of pears that you might not normally see in grocery stores. Use any variety of crisp pear you like for this easy salad - Bosc pears, anjou pears, or Asian pears will all work perfectly.
- Crumbled goat cheese. Soft goat cheese adds a tangy and luxurious element to the salad.
- Chopped walnuts. Toasted nuts provide a crunchy texture and nutty flavor that complements the other ingredients.
- Dried cranberries or cherries. In addition to adding some extra texture and color to the salad, cranberries add a bit of extra sweetness to each bite of this delicious salad.
- Raspberry vinaigrette: A simple vinaigrette made with raspberry preserves, balsamic vinegar, and extra virgin olive oil enhances the flavors of the salad and brings everything together.
How To Make Arugula, Pear, and Goat Cheese Salad
As I said above, this pear arugula salad is simple to make. Here's how to do it.
- Prepare the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, raspberry preserves, and olive oil until well combined. Set aside. (Note - you can store this in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks if you have any leftover, or if you're planning to meal prep and do a few of these steps in advance.)
- Toast the nuts. In a dry skillet over medium-low heat, toast the chopped walnuts or pecans for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove from heat and set aside to cool. (Confession - I also sometimes roast these with a bit of brown sugar to make candied walnuts, which also go great with this salad.) Toasting the nuts may feel like an extra step, but it only takes a couple of minutes and provides such a nice crunch that I think it's worth it!
- Assemble the salad. If you're serving this for company and want it to look nice, here's how I like to assemble it. Add the arugula to a large mixing bowl, then drizzle the prepared dressing over the arugula leaves. Toss gently to coat the arugula evenly with the dressing. Next, sprinkle the walnuts and cranberries over the salad and toss to combine. Transfer the salad to your serving bowl. Add the pear slices in a nice fan shape over the bed of arugula, then sprinkle the goat cheese over the top. Done!
Variations And Substitutions
- Change up the cheese. Substitute goat cheese with feta cheese or blue cheese for a sharper flavor.
- Try different nuts or seeds. You're really just looking for some added crunch with the nuts so use whatever you have on hand or is easily available. Use pine nuts, pumpkin seeds, or sliced almonds instead of walnuts or pecans for variety.
- Swap the arugula. I love the peppery bite of arugula in this goat cheese salad recipe, but if you're not a fan, try baby spinach or another soft-leaf lettuce.
- Add-ins. Add other ingredients like red onion, or pomegranate seeds for extra flavor and texture.
- Change the dressing. I wouldn't go too savory or acidic here, but if you have a nice balsamic vinaigrette you like from the grocery store (or your own recipe), feel free to use it here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yep! You can prepare the dressing and toast the nuts in advance. Store them separately and assemble the salad just before serving to keep it fresh and crisp.
Balsamic vinegar has such a nice sweetness that pairs so well with the sweet pears and creamy goat cheese. If you don't have balsamic vinegar and must substitute, I’d use red wine vinegar, or possibly rice vinegar instead.
This salad is best enjoyed fresh, as the dressing will really start to wilt the leaves if left for too long in the refrigerator. If you do have leftovers, store them in an airtight container and enjoy them within a day.
This simple salad is a great addition to any meal - a delicious side salad for holidays or a dinner party, or perfect as a light summer meal all on its own. I hope you love it as much as I do.
If you try this Arugula Pear Salad Recipe, let me know what you think of it in the comments below. And please don't forget to tag me on Instagram with a pic @frontrangefed. I'd love to see it!
More Delicious Salad Recipes
- Chickpea Salad With Carrots And Dates
- Kale Crunch Salad
- Mediterranean Salmon Pasta Salad
- Burrata Salad With Cherries And Hot Honey
- Peach Caprese Salad With Roasted Pistachios
- Chicken, Pomegranate, And Arugula Crunch Salad
Recipe
Arugula, Pear, and Goat Cheese Salad
Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh arugula
- 2 ripe pears thinly sliced
- ½ cup crumbled goat cheese
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- ¼ cup dried cranberries or cherries
- 3 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon raspberry preserves
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, and olive oil until well combined. Set aside.
- In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the chopped walnuts or pecans for 2-3 minutes, or until fragrant and lightly browned. Stir frequently to prevent burning. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- In a large salad bowl, combine the arugula, dressing, walnuts and cranberries. Toss well to combine. Add the sliced pears and crumbled goat cheese.
- Serve immediately.
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