Easy Fall Salad with Apples & Pears
This is the first pear salad recipe I’ve made and it won’t be the last! I just love the sweet and juicy flavor that comes from a perfectly ripe and tender pear. They’re the perfect complement to the crisp and crunchy apples in this easy salad. ‘Tis the season for apples galore and you can use your favorites. To take this salad from so-so to oh-yes, I also included pomegranate arils, walnuts, and plenty of crumbled feta cheese. It’s amazing how just a little bit of cheese can really add to and round out any salad or side dish recipe. The homemade balsamic vinaigrette is a whisk-together little number that’s ready in one minute flat. With the combination of honey and maple syrup for a touch of sweetness to counter the balsamic, it’s just the ticket! Whether you’re in need of a weekday work lunch, a weeknight dinner side idea to celebrate the flavors of fall, or you’re looking for a holiday side dish that’s fresh, light, and easy – this pear apple pomegranate salad has all the bases covered. Bonus: As written, the salad is naturally gluten-free and vegetarian (or vegan with a couple tweaks)! Having a holiday side dish recipe that’s GF and vegetarian is a huge win for both the chef and guests in attendance at your Thanksgiving dinner or meal.
Salad Ingredients
For the fall green salad with apples and pears, you’ll want to have on hand the following easy-to-find and very common ingredients:
Salad greens – I used a spring mix; use what you have Apples Pears Pomegranate arils – look for pre-cleaned pomegranate arils in the produce section of your local grocery store; it will save you so much time! Feta – or goat cheese; use vegan variety if desired Nuts – I prefer walnuts, pecans, or slivered almonds
For the homemade vinaigrette, you’ll need:
Extra virgin olive oil Balsamic vinegar Honey – may omit to keep vegan Maple syrup Salt – If your vinaigrette tastes at all flat, boring, or like it’s just missing something, it probably is missing adequate salt Black pepper
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
How to Make am Apple and Pear Salad
You can really prepare this easy fall salad how you’d like and what’s best for you. This is what I do:
Ingredient Substitutions to Try
Other than soups, there’s nothing more flexible than the ingredients and options for what to put in a salad!
Cheese – I used crumbled feta (you can use fat free to save calories and fat if that’s important), but goat cheese would be amazing too. Parmesan or blue cheese are also options if that’s your speed. Pomegranate arils – If you’re not into pomegranate seeds in salad, opt for dried cranberries instead. Nuts – I used chopped walnuts for crunch, but pecans or slivered almonds are also good options. Also if you’d like to make a batch of Candied Pecans and use those, go for it.
Balsamic vinegar – It will be a totally different flavor, but apple cider vinegar will work as the dressing for this recipe. Honey + Maple Syrup – Both add necessary sweetness to the vinaigrette but if for some reason you only want to use one or the other, and not both, that’s fine.
More Easy Fall Salad Recipes:
Arugula Pear Salad — 🥗🍐🧀Tender arugula greens, juicy and sweet pears, shaved Parmesan cheese, red onions, and crunchy walnuts work so well together in this EASY yet elevated salad recipe! Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes! Spinach Apple Salad with Cheddar & Cranberries — The flavors just POP in this fast, easy, and healthy spinach salad! There are so many wonderful textures and flavors in every bite you can’t help but like it! Apple, White Cheddar, & Grilled Chicken Salad — All the flavors just POP in this fast, easy, and healthy salad!! The Honey-Apple Cider Vinaigrette doubles as marinade + salad dressing to save time!! Waldorf Salad — Classic and timeless, apple Waldorf salad is always a crowd favorite especially when apples are in season! It makes a great holiday side dish that your guests will devour thanks to a sweet and creamy dressing that coats a mixture of apples, grapes, celery, walnuts, and more! A highly flexible recipe so feel free to substitute, get creative, and make it your own. Apple Cranberry Salad with Blue Cheese — All the flavors of fall in one gorgeous, hearty, and healthy salad!! The easy, tart-and-sweet dressing is just bursting with flavor!! Chickpea and Sweet Potato Bowl — A big ole round bowl full of goodness just like Buddha!! The bowls are fast, EASY, naturally vegan and gluten-free! If you need a HEALTHY recipe that tastes like comfort food, this is it!! Roasted Sweet Potato Salad — This roasted sweet potato salad is tossed in a honey Dijon dressing. The sweet and savory flavors of this potato salad are to die for! Roasted Brussels Sprouts Salad — A HEARTY salad that celebrates the flavors of fall including roasted Brussels sprouts and dried cranberries along with quinoa, chickpeas, spinach, and goat cheese!! Perfect for lunch, a meatless main, or a HEALTHY side dish on your holiday table!!
