Cozy Winter Salad With Pears And Pecans Recipe For Cold Days

Crisp winter evenings call for a delightful salad that beautifully balances seasonal pears and crunchy pecans.

Leafy greens dance with sweet and nutty flavors in this simple yet elegant dish.

Juicy pear slices add a burst of freshness to each bite.

Toasted pecans bring a delightful crunch that makes this salad truly memorable.

Bright notes of citrus and a light vinaigrette tie everything together in perfect harmony.

Drizzle the dressing with a light hand, letting each ingredient shine through.

Winter Salad with Pears and Pecans That Refreshes

• Boost Winter Wellness: Packed with nutritious ingredients like mixed greens and pecans, this salad delivers a powerful punch of vitamins and antioxidants to support your immune system during cold months.
• Create Gourmet Experience at Home: Elevate your meal with restaurant-quality flavors by combining sweet pears, crunchy pecans, and tangy balsamic vinaigrette for a sophisticated yet simple dish.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for dinner parties, potlucks, or family gatherings, this salad requires minimal preparation and looks impressively elegant when served, making you the star chef.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients based on preferences or what's in your pantry, allowing endless variations while maintaining the salad's delicious core profile.

Ingredients to Make Refreshing Winter Salad with Pears

• Mixed Greens: A crisp and fresh base that provides a variety of textures and flavors for the winter salad.

• Pears, Dried Cranberries: Sweet and tangy ingredients that add natural sweetness and a festive winter touch to the salad.
• Pecans: Crunchy nuts that bring a rich, toasted flavor and provide a delightful textural contrast.

• Red Onion: Sharp and pungent vegetable that adds a zesty bite to the salad.
• Balsamic Vinaigrette: A classic dressing that balances the sweetness of the fruits with its tangy and slightly acidic profile.

How to Toss Winter Salad with Pears and Pecans

Step 1: Prepare Fresh Greens

Carefully rinse the mixed greens under cool running water, ensuring all leaves are clean. Gently pat dry using paper towels or a salad spinner to remove excess moisture.

The crisp, clean greens will form the perfect base for your winter salad.

Step 2: Slice Pears with Precision

Select ripe, juicy pears and slice them into delicate, thin wedges.

Pro tip: to prevent browning, you can lightly brush the pear slices with a touch of lemon juice. Set the beautifully cut pears aside.

Step 3: Toast Nutty Pecans

Heat a dry skillet over medium flame. Add pecans and stir continuously for about 5 minutes.

Watch carefully as they transform, releasing their rich, warm aroma. The pecans should turn golden brown and emit a delightful toasted fragrance.

Step 4: Combine Salad Ingredients

• Mixed greens
• Pear slices
• Toasted pecans
• Dried cranberries
• Thinly sliced red onion

Gently mix the components to create a visually stunning and flavor-packed salad.

Step 5: Dress and Serve

Drizzle balsamic vinaigrette over the salad just before serving.

Use a light hand to toss the ingredients, ensuring each component is lightly coated with the tangy dressing. Serve immediately to enjoy the crisp textures and vibrant flavors.

Tips for Crisp and Flavorful Winter Salad Every Time

• Pat greens completely dry to prevent watery salad and ensure crisp texture.
• Toast pecans carefully, watching closely to prevent burning and release maximum nutty flavor.
• Use ripe but firm pears for best crunch and sweetness in the salad.
• Make vinaigrette ahead of time and store in refrigerator to enhance flavor development.
• Choose red onions with milder taste by soaking sliced onions in cold water for 10 minutes before adding to salad.

Creative Spins on Winter Salad with Pears and Pecans

• Citrus Winter Salad: Replace pears with mandarin orange segments and swap pecans for candied walnuts for a tangy, bright flavor profile.
• Vegan Green Delight: Use maple-roasted almonds instead of pecans, add crispy tofu cubes, and substitute honey-based vinaigrette with a plant-based dressing.
• Gluten-Free Harvest Mix: Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free, use quinoa-based greens, and add roasted butternut squash cubes for extra nutrition.
• Mediterranean Style: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese, swap balsamic for lemon-herb vinaigrette, and sprinkle za'atar spice blend over the salad for Middle Eastern flair.

Pairings That Work Well with Winter Salad Delights

• Crisp Pinot Grigio complements the salad's delicate pear and nutty pecan flavors, offering a light and refreshing counterpoint to the tangy vinaigrette.
• Crumble creamy goat cheese over the salad to add a rich, tangy element that balances the sweetness of pears and cranberries while enhancing the overall texture.
• Add grilled chicken breast seasoned with herbs to transform the salad into a complete meal, providing lean protein that harmonizes with the winter salad's fresh ingredients.
• Serve warm, crusty sourdough bread to soak up the balsamic vinaigrette and provide a delightful textural contrast to the crisp greens and crunchy pecans.

How to Keep Winter Salad with Pears Crisp Longer

• Refrigerate in Airtight Container: Store leftover salad without dressing in a sealed container for up to 2 days. Keep pecans and pears separate to maintain crispness.
• Freeze Individual Components: Separately freeze toasted pecans in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Cranberries and greens can be frozen for future use.
• Revive Wilted Greens: Refresh slightly droopy greens by soaking in ice water for 5 minutes before serving. Gently pat dry with paper towels to restore crispness.
• Dressing Tip: Always add balsamic vinaigrette just before serving to prevent soggy salad. Store dressing separately in a small jar in the refrigerator for up to a week.

FAQs

• How do I prevent the pears from browning?

Toss the sliced pears with a little lemon juice to keep them fresh and prevent oxidation.

• Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Prepare ingredients separately and combine just before serving to maintain crispness and prevent wilting.

• Are there any protein options I can add to make this a complete meal?

Grilled chicken, crumbled goat cheese, or roasted chickpeas work perfectly to add protein and make the salad more substantial.

• What if I can't find balsamic vinaigrette?

You can easily make your own by mixing olive oil, balsamic vinegar, a touch of honey, salt, and pepper.

Winter Salad With Pears And Pecans Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Magical winter salad with pears and pecans blends sweet and savory flavors from seasonal ingredients. Crisp greens, caramelized pecans, and juicy pears create an elegant dish you’ll crave during cold months.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup pecans, toasted
• 2 pears, ripe, thinly sliced
• 4 cups mixed greens (spinach, arugula, kale)
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/3 cup (80 ml) balsamic vinaigrette

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Meticulously rinse and pat dry mixed greens until completely moisture-free, ensuring crisp texture.
2. Delicately slice pears into elegant, translucent rounds using a sharp knife, preserving their pristine appearance.
3. Carefully heat a dry skillet over medium flame, gently roasting pecans for approximately 5 minutes until they release a rich, nutty aroma and develop a golden-brown hue.
4. Transfer mixed greens to a spacious serving vessel, artfully layering sliced pears, fragrant toasted pecans, vibrant dried cranberries, and thinly shaved red onion for a harmonious blend of colors and textures.
5. Moments before presenting the salad, gracefully drizzle balsamic vinaigrette across the surface, then tenderly toss ingredients to ensure each component is lightly coated with the tangy dressing.

Notes

• Toast pecans low and slow to prevent burning, releasing their rich, nutty flavor without bitterness.
• Choose firm, slightly underripe pears for better texture and less browning in the salad.
• Soak sliced red onions in cold water for 10 minutes to reduce sharp, raw flavor and make them more palatable.
• Prepare vinaigrette separately and store in the refrigerator to let flavors meld together before dressing the salad.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 280 kcal
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg