Pear Walnut and Blue Cheese Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette

November 29, 2022

pear walnut and blue cheese salad in bowl

This Pear Walnut and Blue Cheese Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette is a fantastic fall salad recipe.

pear walnut and blue cheese salad in bowl

I have plenty of fall salad recipes, and I even have a salad recipe with a cranberry vinaigrette. But this salad is just super simple and delicious. The salad itself is made of just four ingredients. And the cranberry vinaigrette has flavors of orange and balsamic vinegar in it too!

ingredients displayed for making pear walnut blue cheese salad

Ingredients needed:

  • whole berry cranberry sauce
  • freshly squeezed orange juice
  • olive oil
  • balsamic vinegar
  • white sugar
  • fresh ginger
  • salt
  • mixed greens
  • pear
  • blue cheese
  • chopped, toasted walnuts

cranberry vinaigrette in jar

How to make Pear Walnut and Blue Cheese Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette:

This is a super simple salad recipe. Whisk together all of the vinaigrette ingredients. The vinaigrette can be made ahead of time, and refrigerate until ready to use (up to one week ahead).

pear walnut and blue cheese salad in abowl

When ready to serve, add the salad greens, pear, cheese and walnuts to a bowl. Add the desired amount of vinaigrette, and toss. You may not wish to use all of the vinaigrette. It depends on how heavily you like your salad dressed. Plate individual servings. Enjoy!

Substitution suggestions:

  • Use any type of salad greens you’d like.
  • Gorgonzola cheese or feta cheese can be substituted for the blue cheese.
  • Use canned cranberry sauce or homemade.
  • Try using apple in place of pear.

pear walnut and blue cheese salad on plate with fork

How to toast walnuts:

It’s easy to toast walnuts on the stove.  In a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat, heat the walnuts until browned and fragrant, stirring occasionally, about 2 to 5 minutes.

Here are a few more recipes featuring walnuts that you might like to try:

pear walnut and blue cheese salad in bowl
Print

Pear, Walnut and Blue Cheese Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette

This delicious fall salad will leave guests wanting more.
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Keyword blue cheese, pear, salad, walnut
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 174kcal

Ingredients

VINAIGRETTE:

  • ½ cup canned whole-berry cranberry sauce
  • ¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice (about 1 orange)
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon granulated white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon minced and peeled fresh ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

SALAD:

  • 8 cups mixed greens
  • 2 cups peeled and sliced pear or apple (about 2)
  • cup (2 ounces) crumbled blue cheese or gorgonzola
  • 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped walnuts, toasted

Instructions

PREPARE THE VINAIGRETTE:

  • Place all of the vinaigrette ingredients in a medium bowl or jar; stir well with a whisk.

ASSEMBLE THE SALAD:

  • Place the greens in a large bowl. Add the pear/apple, cheese and walnuts. Spoon the desired amount of dressing over the top and toss.

Notes

  • If you are preparing this recipe as gluten-free, be sure to use a brand of cranberry sauce that is known to be GF, and substitute feta cheese for blue cheese.
  • Prepare the vinaigrette up to one week ahead. Keep covered and refrigerated.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 174kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 303mg | Potassium: 221mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 750IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 87mg | Iron: 1mg

The post Pear Walnut and Blue Cheese Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette appeared first on Recipe Girl®.

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