Pear Salad with Feta and Cranberries
Fall salads don’t get much better than this crisp, refreshing Pear Salad! It’s a delicious blend of juicy pears, chewy cranberries, feta cheese and toasted almonds, and it’s tossed in a tangy balsamic dressing. It’s great for any occasion and it comes together in minutes!
Fall may mean comfort food for some, but I love preparing fall salads most of all because some of my favorite produce is available.
My kale apple salad and persimmon salad are perfect for busy weeknights because they’re quick to put together, and they’re also great for special gatherings because they’re so festive.
This Pear Salad with Feta and Cranberries has been one of my go-to recipes for 15 solid years. It was actually the first recipe I posted back in 2012 because I couldn’t think of a better way to start things off.
It was inspired by a salad that was served at my old roommate’s birthday party many years ago, and it blew me (and everyone else) away.
I’ve made it my own over the years, and it quickly became a family favorite. It makes an appearance at numerous family gatherings such as birthdays and holidays.
It’s tried and true tradition. 🙂
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- This pear salad recipes is packed with addictive textures and flavors that everyone adores.
- It comes together in minutes, and is perfect for every day or holidays and special occasions.
- It’s easily customized with your favorite greens, dressing or add-in’s.
Recipe ingredients
Ingredient notes
- Pears. Choose pears that are ripe yet firm with no discoloration. While I prefer Bartlett pears, your favorite variety will work great.
- Lettuce. I love using a blend of crisp romaine lettuce and spring greens for color and flavor, but this salad is versatile and will work with your favorite greens.
- Feta cheese. Sub with goat cheese or omit altogether to make this recipe dairy-free and vegan.
- Dried cranberries. The tart-sweet flavor of the dried cranberries really make this pear salad special. They may be substituted with dried cherries if you prefer.
- Almonds. Sub the almonds with walnuts, pecans or pepitas if you have a nut allergy.
- Balsamic dressing. Sub the balsamic vinegar in the dressing with white balsamic vinegar or champagne vinegar for a lighter touch. My apple cider vinegar dressing is also a great choice.
How to make this pear feta salad
This salad is super special and it couldn’t be easier to make!
You can toast the almonds and prep the dressing up to a few days in advance to make prep time even faster.
Pro tip: Do not toss the salad with the dressing until just before serving time as it will wilt down.
- Toast the slivered almonds in a skillet over medium low heat for 6-8 minutes or until golden brown and fragrant.
- Place the lettuce, pear, dried cranberries, feta and toasted almonds in a bowl. Toss gently with enough dressing to coat.
FAQs
I prefer using Bartlett pears for their sweet flavor, but your favorite variety will work as well.
Make sure the pears are ripe yet firm, and there’s no need to peel them. The peel adds color, texture and nutrition.
Toast the almonds and prepare the dressing up to a few days in advance, but for best results, do not toss the salad until just before serving as it will wilt down.
Serving suggestions
This pear feta salad pairs perfectly with every day dinners and holiday entrees alike.
- It’s great for busy weeknights with air fryer pork chops and air fryer chicken breast.
- Serve alongside a cozy bowl of butternut squash soup or white bean turkey chili.
- Serve for Sunday dinner with spatchcock chicken or beef bourguignon.
- It’s wonderful for Thanksgiving served with roast turkey and spatchcock turkey.
- It pairs beautifully with Slow cooker ham and turkey breast for Christmas and Easter.
Recipe notes
- Pro tip: Do not toss the salad with the dressing until just before serving time as it will wilt down.
- Nutrition information does not include the dressing as that information is in a separate post.
- Purchase pre-toasted slivered almonds at Trader Joe’s for a time saver!
- Customize this salad with your favorite greens, cheese or nuts. The balsamic vinaigrette may be subbed with apple cider vinegar dressing or your favorite store bought variety.
More easy salad recipes:
- Butter lettuce salad
- Caesar salad by Natasha’s Kitchen
- Citrus salad
- Fig salad
- Horiatiki
- Pomegranate salad
- Radicchio salad
- Spinach apple salad
- Strawberry salad
Did you try this recipe? If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram
Pear Salad with Feta and Cranberries
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup slivered almonds
- 6 ounces lettuce your favorite! I used half romaine and half spring lettuce
- 1 large ripe Bartlett pear cored and sliced into 1" pieces; pear should be ripe yet firm
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries
- balsamic vinaigrette dressing
Instructions
- Toast the almonds in a skillet over medium low heat for 6-8 minutes or until golden brown and fragrant, tossing every few minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.1/3 cup slivered almonds
- Place the lettuce, sliced pear, dried cranberries, feta and toasted almonds in a bowl.6 ounces lettuce, 1 large ripe Bartlett pear, ½ cup crumbled feta cheese, ⅓ cup dried cranberries
- Add the desired amount of balsamic dressing and toss gently to coat. Serve immediately and enjoy!balsamic vinaigrette dressing
Notes
- Pro tip: Do not toss the salad with the dressing until just before serving time as it will wilt down.
- Nutrition information does not include the dressing as that information is in a separate post.
- Purchase pre-toasted slivered almonds at Trader Joe’s for a time saver!
- Customize this salad with your favorite greens, cheese or nuts. The balsamic vinaigrette may be subbed with apple cider vinegar dressing or your favorite store bought variety.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
**This post was originally published in September 2012. The photos and recipe have been updated, and the text has been modified to include more recipe information.
50 Comments on “Pear Salad with Feta and Cranberries”
This dressing sounds really good! However, I just have a really small food processor… one that doesn’t even have a food chute and the machine doesn’t work unless the lid is locked in place. Do you have any suggestions for incorporating the oil without being able to slowly drizzle it in? Thank you!
Hi, Kelly! I would puree everything in the food processor, than pour the ingredients in a bowl and add the olive oil in a steady stream while whisking constantly — that would work just as well! 🙂
This salad looks gorgeous, Marcie! I love the cranberry and pear combination. So perfect for this time of year. And that vinaigrette sounds incredible! I love using white balsamic vinegar, it definitely gives things such a unique flavor!
Thank you, Gayle! The white balsamic really did give this dressing a lot of flavor — it’s one of my favorites! 🙂
Girl after my own heart! We are twinsies this week with the pear holiday salads! This looks delicious and I want a big bowl right now!
We are big food twins this week, Liz! haha Pear salads are where it’s at! 🙂
I love this salad so so so much! I’m hopefully trying it this weekend. I love that it was your first post! We always share our very favorites right at the beginning, right?! Love the freshness and fall flavors in this, Marcie!
Thank you, Jen! And yes, I shared so many of my favorite recipes in the beginning and they look so hideous nobody knows about them. haha I see a lot of photo re-do’s in my future. 🙂
I’d luv to eat this salad and my hubs howie too. We don’t normally eat too healthy, but this would be a great start to doing that. ty
This would be a great start, Susan, and it’s so good that you won’t believe it’s healthy! 🙂
Yum! I’ve never had pear vinaigrette. This salad would make a beautiful addition to any holiday table! Very nice!
This pear vinaigrette was a first for me, too, and I’m hooked! Thank you, Annie, and have a great weekend! 🙂
Pick me plz!!!;) Love love the blog
The salad looks delicious! ! Perfect for a seasonal started or thanksgiving table!! Xoxo
Thank you, Rebecca, and good luck in the giveaway! 🙂
this is a very fresh and beautiful looking salad Marcie! Pinned.
Thank you, Manali! 🙂
My kind of salad. I have never noticed white balsamic vinegar, is it easy to find? I guess I should pay more attention when shopping, I just always pick my fav balsamic vinegar.
Hi, Pamela! White balsamic is easy to find in the salad dressing isle. You could also use white wine vinegar or champagne vinegar as well!
What a great fresh salad that feels like Fall! I always think it’s hard to create a salad that isn’t Summer inspired, but you totally win with this! Perfect for a salad for Thanksgiving!
Thank you, Pamela — that’s so kind of you to say! I’ve made this for Thanksgiving for so long and we never get tired of it. 🙂 Hope you have a great weekend!
This is such a pretty salad, Marcie! I love how fresh everything looks and that pear vinaigrette sounds so amazing! Perfect for fall!
Thank you, Kelly! The pear vinaigrette exceeded my expectations completely. 🙂 Hope you have a great weekend!
This sald looks so delicious and that dressing, I might seriously drink that as a smoothie!! Thanks for hosting this awesome giveaway!
Thank you, Ami, and good luck in the giveaway! 🙂
What a gorgeous looking salad Marcie! I would love to make this a tradition in my house! Pinned!
Thanks, Kristi, and I appreciate the pin! Happy Sunday! 🙂
Love this salad Marcie, the dressing sounds amazing!
Thank you, Cheri! I was eating that dressing by the spoonful!
Love the pun…guess that makes me a nerd, too? 🙂 Thanks, Lindsey, and hope you’re having a great weekend!
Fruit and Nut salads are my favorite. I can’t wait to try your homemade dressing. The ingredients sound fabulous!
Thank you, Christin! 🙂
That dressing sounds absolutely amazing, and I love everything you put in this salad! The cranberry and pear combination sounds delicious.
Thank you, Rachel! 🙂
This is such a perfect salad for the holidays! I’m in charge of the salad course this year, and I must serve this!
I’ve totally never had pear dressing before… and now I’m wondering why the heck not?!?! It’s such a great idea! LOVE pears! Great idea Marcie!
I saw pear vinaigrette on a restaurant menu — didn’t have the salad, but I made a mental note to get making that dressing! haha Thanks, Chris! 🙂
Wow, the pear dressing really sounds amazing. Ripe pears are one of my favorite fall treats. This is such a perfect seasonal salad!
Pears have always been a favorite of mine, and I can’t believe I never thought to make a dressing out of them! Thanks, Jess! 🙂
Pear vinaigrette!? That sounds amazing, Marcie! The perfect salad for fall!
The dressing is totally drink-able! 🙂
Mmmmmm, what is it about pears and cranberries? And that fresh pear vinaigrette….my mouth is watering.
The pear-cranberry thing is real! Thanks, Rachael! 🙂
Just made this pear vinaigrette and it latest AMAZING! Thanks for the recipe! I am looking forward to all my spring salads!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the dressing, Jena –it’s one of my favorites! I really appreciate the feedback! 🙂
I agree, the salad sounds/looks amazing….but all these reviews and NO ONE has posted a review after actually making it. Those reviews would be far more helpful than just tossing compliments back and for. I’ve made it for my family today- I tasted the dressing to ensure s&p levels were correct…I think the olive oil is too heavy. I plan to try and make it again with a lighter oil.
Unfortunately I have no control over the feedback on my recipes. I appreciate your taking the time to leave yours!
As a pear lover, I’ve got to try this! I’m wondering how long does the pear dressing last in the frig? Does it darker with time? This is partly to gauge how far in advance one can prep things. Thanks.
The dressing does darken with time — normally I use it within 3 days.