Spinach Pear Salad with Feta
This spinach pear salad brings together juicy pears, tender spinach, salty feta, and crunchy nuts with a simple honey Dijon dressing. Dried cranberries add a chewy, sweet-tart bite, while thinly sliced red onion gives it a little zip. It’s a fresh side dish that comes together in 15 minutes with no cooking required.
I’d serve this salad alongside roasted chicken for an easy dinner, or add a little cooked chicken on top for lunch. The pears and candied pecans bring plenty of sweetness, so the tangy dressing and feta help balance each bite. There’s a little crunch, a little creaminess, and no need for a long ingredient prep session.
For more salad ideas, try my Classic Waldorf Salad with apples, grapes, and walnuts, or this Green Goddess Salad with a creamy herb dressing. Both are delicious ways to add more variety to your salad rotation.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick to prepare: A little slicing and whisking are all you need to get this salad on the table in 15 minutes.
- Sweet and savory flavor: Juicy pears and dried cranberries pair with salty feta and a tangy homemade dressing.
- Plenty of texture: Tender greens, crunchy nuts, and creamy cheese keep each forkful interesting.
- Easy to serve your way: Enjoy it as a side dish, or add your favorite cooked protein for a heartier lunch.
Ingredients
This is a list of the ingredients that you need to make your grocery shopping easier. You can find the full list of the ingredients and amounts needed in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Salad
- Spinach: Use 6 cups of fresh spinach for a tender green base, and wash and dry it well before assembling. Baby spinach will give you more bite size leaves.
- Pears: Ripe pears add juicy sweetness and should still be firm enough to hold their shape when sliced.
- Red onion: Thin slices add a sharp bite that balances the sweet fruit and dressing.
- Feta cheese: Crumbled feta brings a salty, tangy flavor and a creamy contrast to the pears.
- Candied pecans or toasted walnuts: Either option adds crunch, with candied pecans providing extra sweetness and walnuts offering a more savory finish. Purchase already glazed pecans or make these homemade maple glazed pecans.
- Dried cranberries: These add a chewy texture and little bursts of sweet-tart flavor.
Dijon Salad Dressing
- Olive oil: This forms the base of the dressing and helps coat the spinach leaves.
- Apple cider vinegar: The vinegar adds tanginess to balance the honey and sweet salad ingredients.
- Honey: A little honey softens the vinegar’s sharpness and complements the pears.
- Dijon mustard: Dijon adds a mild, sharp flavor and helps the oil and vinegar blend together.
How to Make Spinach Pear Salad
This is a quick overview of the step-by-step instructions for making this recipe. You can find the complete list of instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until smooth and slightly thickened.
- Assemble the salad and dress right before serving.
Substitutions and Additions
- Use toasted walnuts: Choose the walnut option when you want the salad to be a little less sweet than it is with candied pecans.
- Try a different cheese: Crumbled goat cheese is a creamy alternative to feta, or use blue cheese if you enjoy a stronger flavor.
- Add cooked chicken: Top the salad with sliced roasted or grilled chicken to make it more filling.
- Use any Pear: Pick ripe pears that are soft to touch, but not mushy. Bosc, Bartlett, and Anjou are my favorite varieties.
- Swap the fruit: Try crisp apple slices in place of the pears for a different fruit-and-nut salad.
Sandra’s Pro Tips
- Dry the spinach well: Water left on the leaves can dilute the dressing. Use a salad spinner or gently pat the greens dry with a clean towel.
- Choose pears that hold their shape: Very soft pears can break apart when tossed. Look for ripe fruit that you can slice cleanly.
- Keep the onion thin: Fine slices give you a little bite without letting the onion take over the salad.
- Wait to add the dressing: Toss everything together close to serving time so the spinach doesn’t sit in the vinaigrette and wilt.
FAQs
Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions for this recipe.
Use ripe pears that are juicy but still firm enough to slice. The recipe doesn’t require a particular variety. Avoid pears that feel mushy, since they may fall apart when you toss the salad.
You can wash and dry the spinach, slice the onion, and mix the dressing ahead. Refrigerate the prepared greens, onion, cheese, and dressing separately. Slice the pears and add the nuts and dressing close to serving for the best texture.
No peeling is required for this recipe. Wash the pears, remove the cores, and cut them into sections. You can peel them if you prefer.
Other Delicious Salad Recipes You May Enjoy
- Cucumber Strawberry Salad
- Summer Spaghetti Pasta Salad
- Cottage Cheese Egg Salad
- Chopped Italian Grinder Salad
- Watermelon Feta Mini Salad
Spinach Pear Salad with Feta
Equipment
- Small mixing bowl
- Serving bowl or platter
Ingredients
For the salad
- 6 cups Spinach washed and dried
- 2 pears cut into sections
- 1/2 cup red onion thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup feta cheese crumbled
- 1/2 cup candied pecans or toasted walnuts
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
For the dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Dressing
- In a small jar or bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until smooth and slightly thickened.
Salad
- In a large bowl or serving platter, add the spinach, pears, red onion, feta, pecans, and cranberries.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that the nutritional information provided are guidelines and may vary based on the brand of products used. For your specific nutritional goals use My Fitness Pal or Verywell Fit recipe calculators. All content within this site is not intended as medical diagnosis or treatment and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical expertise.
