I love a good spinach salad, especially when it’s packed with fresh ingredients and vibrant flavors. Today, I’m sharing two of my favorite pear spinach salad recipes that are perfect for a light lunch or a quick dinner side.
These easy spinach salads prove that simple ingredients can make something truly special. Get ready to add some brightness to your plate!
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Pear And Gorgonzola Spinach Salad: A Fresh Lunch Idea
This Pear and Gorgonzola Spinach Salad combines crisp greens with sweet fruit and tangy cheese for a refreshing meal. It’s simple to prepare and packed with different textures that make every bite interesting.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Choose Ripe Pears: For the best flavor, pick pears that are slightly soft when gently squeezed. Anjou or Bosc pears work wonderfully here.
- Gorgonzola Cheese: If you’re new to strong cheeses, start with a smaller amount. The creamy, pungent notes really stand out with the sweet pear.
- Toasting Walnuts: Briefly toasting your walnuts in a dry pan before adding them brings out their nutty taste and makes them extra crisp.
What You Need
- 5 ounces fresh spinach
- 1 large ripe pear, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup crumbled gorgonzola cheese
- 1/4 cup walnuts, lightly toasted
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and black pepper to taste
🍽️ Yields: 2 servings
How to Make It
Step 1: Make the Dressing
In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and Dijon mustard. Whisk these ingredients together until they are well combined and smooth. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to your liking.
Step 2: Assemble the Salad Base
Place the fresh spinach into a large salad bowl. Add the thinly sliced pear, crumbled gorgonzola cheese, and toasted walnuts on top of the spinach.
Step 3: Dress and Serve
Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients. Gently toss everything together until the spinach and toppings are evenly coated. Serve immediately and enjoy your fresh salad.
📝 Final Note
This salad is best enjoyed fresh. If you need to prep ahead, keep the dressing separate and add it right before serving.
Pear Pecans Spinach Salad: Your New Favorite Side
This Pear Pecans Spinach Salad is a delightful combination of sweet, crunchy, and green. It’s a perfect light side dish or a quick lunch on its own, offering satisfying textures and a wonderful taste.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Candied Pecans Option: For an extra layer of sweetness and crunch, use candied pecans instead of plain ones. You can buy them or make them easily at home.
- Add Dried Cranberries: Dried cranberries bring a lovely tartness and chewy texture that pairs beautifully with the sweet pears and crunchy pecans.
- Lemon Juice for Pears: After slicing your pears, toss them lightly with a squeeze of lemon juice. This helps prevent them from browning too quickly.
What You Need
- 5 ounces fresh baby spinach
- 1 large pear, cored and diced
- 1/2 cup pecans, toasted
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 3 tablespoons poppy seed dressing (store-bought or homemade)
- Optional: 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
🍽️ Yields: 2-3 servings
How to Make It
Step 1: Prepare the Toppings
If you are toasting pecans, do this first by heating them in a dry pan for a few minutes until fragrant. Dice your pear into bite-sized pieces. If using feta cheese, crumble it.
Step 2: Combine Salad Ingredients
In a large serving bowl, place the baby spinach. Evenly scatter the diced pear, toasted pecans, and dried cranberries over the spinach. Add crumbled feta if you like.
Step 3: Dress and Serve
Drizzle the poppy seed dressing over all the salad components. Gently toss the salad until everything is lightly coated with the dressing. Serve right away to enjoy the crisp textures.
📝 Final Note
For the best crunch, only dress this salad just before you plan to eat it. Leftovers can be stored undressed in the fridge for a day.