Arugula Pear Salad

Arugula Pear Salad with a light, honey mustard vinaigrette might look fancy but it's very easy to prepare, loaded with vitamins and antioxidants and most importantly, seriously delicious!

Fall is right around the corner and I know everyone thinks about apple and pumpkins, but I also love pear season!

Pears are delicious in both sweet and savory recipes and add a sweet, tangy and spicy flavor to your recipes. They are extremely versatile and I don't add them enough to my dishes.

If you are looking for more delicious pear recipes, you will love these Pear Brie Quesadillas, Unsweetened Pear Applesauce, Walnut Pear Pesto Toast and definitely these Apple Pear Nachos!

These would be extra delicious with some Apple Chai Latte, Eggnog Latte, Low Carb Bulletproof Hot Chocolate or even some Spiked Apple Cider!

Also, my cookbooks are both on sale now and would make a great gift! The Everything Wheat Free Diet Cookbook and The Greek Yogurt Cookbook are both the lowest prices I have seen!

Why You Should Make This Arugula Pear Salad

The combination if flavors in this arugula salad is perfection. The spiciness of the arugula ties in so nicely with the sweet pear and the saltiness of the parmesan cheese along with the sliced onions takes the salad to the next level.

The earthiness of the crunchy, sliced almonds creates depth but allows the arugula and pear to be the main attraction. This recipe is super quick to make but comes off so elegant.

This gorgeous arugula pear salad is loaded with fiber, vitamins and antioxidants. It's a great way to add a bunch of veggies to your diet and to spice up your salad routine.

I love to make a salad at the beginning of the week and enjoy it for the lunch for however many days it lasts. I am only half joking here.

On my meal prep days I usually grill a bunch of chicken, make a crustless quiche, make some type of muffin or something for my kids and make a big salad for me. This helps prevent any mindless eating and helps me plan my meals.

Recipe Ingredients

Here are the simple ingredients for the salad:

Arugula spring salad mix - This mix is easy to find in the grocery store. It's typically a blend of baby arugula, spinach, lettuce and other greens.
Pear - Pick a nice ripe, Bartlett or Bosc pear for this salad.
Parmesan cheese - I use fresh Parmesan cheese in this salad because I really think it tastes is so better. But if you already have pre-shredded Parmesan cheese and want to use, go for it.
Red onion - I used a small, red onion in this salad for it's slightly sweet taste.
Almonds - You can use chopped almonds, chopped walnuts or chopped pecans in this salad and they all taste delicious.

Here are the simple ingredients for the dressing:

Extra Virgin Olive Oil - I love my EVOO. Some of those benefits are that extra virgin olive oil is anti-inflammatory, it may help prevent heart disease and diabetes and may even help to lower cholesterol levels.
Balsamic vinegar - When I buy balsamic vinegar, I buy a quality one made in Italy (usually Modena), that is aged and does not contai any added sugars, flavors or preservatives.
Honey - I like to use raw honey because it is the least processed and contains the most nutrients and antioxidants.
Dijon mustard - This dijon mustard has a little more intense flavor that regular yellow mustard and adds a pungent twist to savory dishes.
Chia Seeds - These little seeds are a nutritional powerhouse! Chia seeds are loaded with fiber, antioxidants and plant based protein.

How To Make This Arugula Pear Salad

Slice the pear, onions and shave the Parmesan cheese.

Add the arugula spring mix lettuce to a large bowl and top with the remainder of the salad ingredients.

Prepare the dressing by putting all the ingredients into a small bowl and whisking until fully mixed. You can also put the ingredients into a mason jar, seal and shake well. Drizzle a spoonful of vinaigrette for each serving.

Ingredients for dressing in a bowl with honey on the side.

That's it! Enjoy this delicious arugula pear salad immediately or store for later.

Arugula Pear Salad with dressing on the side in a small bowl.

Recipe FAQ's and Expert Tips

Can I use another type of vinegar in this arugula salad?

Yes! Red wine vinegar, champagne vinegar, or rice vinegar are all great options for this dressing.

I'm allergic to Parmesan cheese, can I substitute another type of cheese?

Of course! The possibilities are endless with different types of cheese that would be yummy in this salad, but my favorites are goat cheese, blue cheese, or gorgonzola.

What if I don't like almonds? Can I leave them out?

Absolutely. Or you can try walnuts, pine nuts, or pumpkin seeds. Even my homemade candied pecans would be delicious on top of this arugula salad.