Endive Salad Bites with Pears, Blue Cheese, and Pecans
Endive Salad Bites crisp belgian endive filled with pears, cranberries, blue cheese and pecans. They’re an easy, elegant appetizer that’s perfect for any gathering!
I’ve got my Thanksgiving meal plan in place, which is pretty much the same meal we have every year because I don’t want to stir up trouble by breaking tradition.
Thanksgiving is no time to change things up. I found that out the hard way a few years back.
Tradition, tradition, tradition!
Appetizers are one area of the Thanksgiving menu that’s completely open, so that’s where I have my fun.
These Endive Salad Bites are easy to put together, they’re bursting with flavor, and they’re even elegant.
These bites will take you all the way through the holiday season!
Belgian endive is part of the chicory family, which means it has a slightly bitter flavor. The bitterness pairs really well with the tangy blue cheese, juicy pear and tart sweet cranberries.
The pecans give these bites a nice crunchy texture, and the fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness.
For more ways to use chicories, see my collection of chicory recipes.
To make things even better, I’ve tossed the filling in a white balsamic maple vinaigrette, and everything just pops. Believe me when I say, these are addicting little bites!
These endive salad bites come together in all of about 10 minutes, and are guaranteed to be a hit. Just be warned, they do go quickly, so you may want to make a lot.
And thankfully, the recipe is easily doubled, tripled, or quadrupled!
Recipe notes
- For best results, prepare the filling just before serving to avoid discoloration.
- To toast your pecans, place on a rimmed baking sheet in a 350 degree oven for about 8-10 minutes or until fragrant. You can also purchase pre-toasted pecan pieces at stores such as Trader Joe’s.
- This endive boats recipe is easily scaled to feed a crowd!
More appetizer recipes you’ll love:
- Cranberry Brie Bites by Delish
- Crudités platter
- Deviled eggs with bacon
- Hot artichoke dip
- How to Make a Cheese Board
- Mini goat cheese balls
- Roasted nuts
- White bean hummus
Did you try this recipe? If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram
Endive Salad Bites with Pears, Blue Cheese, and Pecans
Ingredients
For the dressing:
- 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
For the endive filling:
- 1 head belgian endive
- 1 medium pear cored and cut into small cubes (about 1 cup)
- 3 tablespoons crumbled blue cheese
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries coarsely chopped
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian flat leaf parsley
- 1/4 cup chopped toasted pecans*
Instructions
Prepare the dressing:
- Place all dressing ingredients in a mason jar and shake vigorously until combined.
Prepare the endive bites:
- Cut the base off of the head of endive and separate the spears. Wash thoroughly and blot dry gently.
- Place the pear, blue cheese, cranberries, and parsley in a small bowl. Add half of the dressing, reserving the other half for another use, and toss gently to combine.
- Divide the filling evenly between the endive spears, and top with the pecans just before serving. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- *To toast your pecans, place on a rimmed baking sheet in a 350 degree oven for about 8-10 minutes or until fragrant. You can also purchase pre-toasted pecan pieces at stores such as Trader Joe’s.
- These will go fast, and this recipe is easily scaled to feed a crowd!
- The filling is best made just before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
47 Comments on “Endive Salad Bites with Pears, Blue Cheese, and Pecans”
I LOVE these, Marcie! They’re so cute and the flavor and textures sound amazing together. I rarely eat endive because I’m not a huge fan of bitter greens but I can see how it would work in this case with the blue cheese and that delicious maple dijon vinaigrette. YUM!
Bitter greens definitely need some help from sweeter ingredients to taste great! I love them with the pears and the vinaigrette. Thanks, Sarah! 🙂
Oh I love these! They are so perfect for Thanksgiving apps!
Thanks, Jocelyn! 🙂
I am loving your deconstructed salad, here! And YES to eating in-season. All of the recipes highlighted are just gorgeous!
Thank you, Annie! ?
As a blue cheese-FIEND, I am all over these gorgeous salad bites! What a perfect appetizer these would make for T-day! Love that there’s pears in here too!
Blue cheese and pears were meant to be together! Thanks, Sarah!
The apps and side dishes are my favorite! I love these fresh little endive bites, Marcie! They look so pretty and elegant and the pear and blue cheese sound perfect together! I could munch on these all night long 🙂
Thank you, Kelly! I’d love to munch some of these with you! ?
I love these endive salad bites!!! the perfect apps!!! and hooray for cooking seasonally!!
Thank you, Alice! ?
These are such classy apps! Love it 🙂
Thanks, Medha! ?
Love this beautiful appetizer idea!! I think holiday party appetizers are so much fun to serve! Hope you have a wonderful holiday season!
Thank you, Becky, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving! ?
Hi Marcie, this is perfect for the holidays, love that it is healthy
Thanks, Cheri!
Thanksgiving at my in-laws means the same buffet every year. I’ve managed to move them away from cranberry sauce in the can, and I contribute a salad now as well as the pies. Hmmm–I might try appetizers this year–these elegant healthy ones!
I make fresh cranberry sauce every year yet some still prefer canned — it’s so funny! Thanks, Letty, and have a great Thanksgiving!
Fancy is the first thing that came to mind!! Just love how easy they are too. Will be perfect this holiday season to serve some pears and blue cheese apps.
These may be slightly fancy, but they’re certainly not fussy! Thanks, Z! ?
Why is everything bite-sized so stinking cute! I can’t wait to make these for a party or book club. Thank you for sharing them!
Bite sized food is cute and some of my favorite food! Thank you, Melissa!
I do not cook the same Thanksgiving meal every year… I even cook the turkey different. I’m a huge fan of trying new things and switching it up. Naturally I am loving this salad deconstructed! Such a fun and fabulous way to easily switch it up! These endive boats are so cute! LOVE the filling of pears, blue cheese and pecans! Plus that white balsamic maple dressing sounds amazing! These are beyond perfect for Thanksgiving (or Christmas, New Years)! Pinned! Cheers, Marcie!
I wish I could try new things without getting flack BUT I’ve learned my lesson. Lol. Thanks so much and I appreciate the pin! ?
Oh I could certainly see how these would go fast! They look amazing. I love fresh little bites like these! And I hear you on the traditional Thanksgiving menu. I always try to sneak in a few new things and my family really only wants the traditional elements. So I have to keep my head down and stick with what I know all ready works!
Thanks, Liz! ?
What a gorgeous appetizer, Marcie! This would be perfect to serve on Thanksgiving. I’ve never cooked with endive before, but it sounds perfect when paired with the blue cheese and pears. What a delicious recipe!
Thanks, Gayle! The endive is perfect with those sweet pears — I hope you’re to try it!