The Ultimate Spinach Salad with Pears, Walnuts & Goat Cheese (Stunningly Easy!)
Imagine a salad that perfectly captures the essence of elegant dining, yet is so astonishingly simple to create. Picture a bed of tender baby spinach, tossed with sweet, juicy pear slices, crunchy toasted walnuts, sharp red onion, and creamy, tangy crumbles of goat cheese. Now, imagine it all brought together with a brilliant, secret-weapon dressing…
Imagine a salad that perfectly captures the essence of elegant dining, yet is so astonishingly simple to create. Picture a bed of tender baby spinach, tossed with sweet, juicy pear slices, crunchy toasted walnuts, sharp red onion, and creamy, tangy crumbles of goat cheese. Now, imagine it all brought together with a brilliant, secret-weapon dressing made from a whole puréed pear. That, my friends, is the sophisticated, unforgettable magic of this Spinach and Pear Salad. It is, without a doubt, the most impressive salad you will make with such little effort.
I promise you, this salad is a masterpiece of balance. Every single bite is a perfect harmony of sweet, tangy, savory, and crunchy. It’s a true show-stopper, elegant enough for a holiday dinner party, yet quick enough for a satisfying and healthy weeknight meal. It’s a celebration of simple, beautiful ingredients coming together in the most delicious way.
Get ready to master a new kind of vinaigrette and create a stunning, restaurant-quality salad that will have everyone asking for the recipe.
Why This Will Be Your New Favorite Go-To Salad!
You are going to be completely obsessed with this fresh, vibrant, and delicious salad. It’s a guaranteed hit. Here’s why you have to make it:
- A Uniquely Creamy Pear Vinaigrette: The dressing is the star! Using a whole puréed pear creates a naturally sweet, thick, and creamy vinaigrette without any dairy, and it’s absolutely unforgettable.
- A Perfect Symphony of Flavors: This salad is a masterclass in balance, with sweet pears, tangy goat cheese, earthy walnuts, sharp red onion, and a bright, zesty dressing.
- Incredibly Quick and Easy: Despite its gourmet appearance and flavor, this entire elegant salad comes together in about 15 minutes.
- Healthy and Nourishing: It’s packed with nutrient-dense spinach, healthy fats from the olive oil and walnuts, and plenty of vitamins from the fresh fruit.
- Stunningly Beautiful Presentation: The combination of colors and textures makes this a gorgeous salad that’s perfect for impressing guests at a dinner party or holiday gathering.
Recipe Snapshot
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time | 0 minutes |
| Total Time | 15 minutes |
| Servings | 6-8 side servings |
| Calories | ~325 kcal per serving |
| Course | Salad, Side Dish |
| Cuisine | American |
| Difficulty/Method | Easy / Blender |
Your Shopping List for This Elegant Salad
This recipe uses a beautiful mix of fresh produce and simple pantry staples. Here’s what you’ll need:
→ For the Creamy Pear Vinaigrette
- 1 Anjou, Bosc, or Comice pear → Chopped, to become the base of our incredible dressing.
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil → The smooth, flavorful foundation.
- ¼ cup white wine vinegar → For a bright, tangy kick.
- 1 tablespoon German mustard → Or a good quality Dijon mustard.
- 1 teaspoon honey → To round out the sweetness.
→ For the Salad
- ¾ pound spinach → Torn into bite-size pieces. Baby spinach is a great no-prep option.
- 2 Anjou, Bosc, or Comice pears → Thinly sliced, for the salad itself.
- ½ red onion → Very thinly sliced for a sharp, savory bite.
- ½ cup walnuts, toasted → Toasting is key for the best crunch and nutty flavor!
- 4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled → For that perfect creamy, tangy element.
Let’s Get Assembling! Your Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to create a stunning, restaurant-quality salad in minutes? This process is so simple and rewarding.
Part 1: The Creamy Pear Vinaigrette
- Prep the Pears: Take one of your three pears, roughly chop it, and add it to a blender. Thinly slice the remaining two pears and set them aside for the salad.
- Blend to Perfection: To the blender with the chopped pear, add the olive oil, white wine vinegar, mustard, and honey. Blend on high until the dressing is completely smooth and creamy.
- Adjust Consistency: Check the consistency of the dressing. If it seems too thick, you can stir in a tablespoon or two of water until it reaches a perfect, pourable consistency. Transfer the dressing to a bowl or jar.
Part 2: Assemble the Salad
- Combine the Ingredients: In a large salad bowl, combine the spinach, thinly sliced red onion, toasted walnuts, crumbled goat cheese, and the thinly sliced pears.
- Dress and Toss: Drizzle the pear vinaigrette over the salad ingredients. Start with about half the dressing, and add more as needed.
- Serve Immediately: Gently toss everything together until the leaves are lightly coated. Serve immediately and enjoy the burst of fresh flavors!
Spinach Salad with Pears, Walnuts & Goat Cheese
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Place the chopped pear, olive oil, vinegar, mustard, and honey into a blender. Purée until completely smooth.
- Transfer to a bowl. If needed, stir in 1-2 tablespoons of water to thin the dressing to a pourable consistency.
- In a large bowl, combine the spinach, thinly sliced red onion, toasted walnuts, crumbled goat cheese, and the sliced pears.
- Drizzle with the pear vinaigrette and toss gently to coat. Serve immediately.
Notes
WiseRecipes’ Top Tips for the Perfect Pear Salad
These simple secrets will ensure your salad is flawless and full of flavor.
- Toast Your Walnuts! This is a non-negotiable step that takes just 5 minutes. Toasting the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until they are fragrant awakens their oils, deepens their nutty flavor, and makes them wonderfully crunchy.
- Use Ripe but Firm Pears. For both the dressing and the salad, you want pears that are ripe enough to be sweet and flavorful, but still firm enough to hold their shape when sliced. A mushy pear will not work well for the sliced component.
- Don’t Dress the Salad Until Serving. To keep your spinach vibrant and crisp, wait to add the dressing and toss the salad until the very last minute before you plan to serve it. This prevents the delicate greens from becoming wilted and soggy.
- Slice the Onion Paper-Thin. A little bit of red onion adds a fantastic, sharp bite, but a thick chunk can be overwhelming. For the best flavor balance, use a very sharp knife or a mandoline to slice the onion as thinly as possible.
- Let the Dressing Flavors Meld. If you have the time, making the pear vinaigrette even 30 minutes ahead of time and letting it sit in the fridge will allow all the flavors to marry and deepen.
Keep It Fresh! Storing Your Salad Components
For the best, crispest salad, proper storage is key.
- Storage: This salad is best enjoyed immediately after being dressed. If you have leftovers or want to prep ahead, store the salad components (spinach, pears, onions, nuts, cheese) and the dressing in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. The salad components will keep for a day, and the dressing will keep for up to 4-5 days.
FAQs: Your Spinach and Pear Salad Questions, Answered!
What are the best kind of pears to use for this recipe?
The recipe suggests Anjou, Bosc, or Comice, and these are all fantastic choices. They have a sweet flavor and a firm texture that holds up well. Bartlett pears would also work well, just make sure they aren’t overly ripe and soft.
Can I make the dressing ahead of time?
Yes, absolutely! The pear vinaigrette can be made up to 4 days in advance and stored in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator. It may separate a bit, so just give it a good shake or whisk before using.
Can I make this salad vegan?
Yes, it’s very easy to adapt! To make it vegan, simply substitute the honey in the dressing with an equal amount of maple syrup or agave nectar, and swap the goat cheese for a high-quality crumbled vegan feta or your favorite vegan cheese.
What other nuts or cheeses would work well in this salad?
This salad is wonderfully versatile! Toasted pecans or candied walnuts would be a fantastic substitute for the regular walnuts. For the cheese, crumbled blue cheese or gorgonzola would provide a sharper, funkier flavor, while shavings of a hard, salty cheese like Parmesan or Pecorino would also be delicious.
Final Thoughts: A Taste of Simple Elegance
There is nothing quite like a salad that is both incredibly simple to make and stunningly elegant to serve. This Spinach Salad with Pears, Walnuts, and Goat Cheese is a true celebration of beautiful, fresh ingredients and clever cooking techniques. It’s a rewarding, flavorful, and deeply satisfying dish that I know will become a new favorite in your recipe collection. Happy tossing!
