Arugula Pear Salad With Maple Orange Dressing

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This arugula pear salad with maple orange dressing is the perfect holiday side dish. It’s light, refreshing and so full of delicious flavor.

Pear and Arugula salad

Arugula and pear salad is one of my favorite dish to serve in the winter time. This arugula salad is light, refreshing and so full of delicious flavors.

It’s sweet from the juicy pears, tangy from the white balsamic vinegar and smokey from the bacon and cinnamon cheese.

You can make it ahead of time so it works perfectly as a holiday side dish. And it’s perfect for a main dish or side dish.

You will want to serve this salad for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any celebration!

I promise if you serve it to your friends they will ask for the recipe! It’s that good!

What Flavors Go Well With Arugula?

Arugula is a light and peppery green. It goes well with just about anything. From sweet pears to tangy blue cheese.

This winter salad uses ingredients that pairs perfectly with the peppery arugula flavor.

You can also add arugula to your favorite sandwiches or even make a delicious pesto out of it.

Ingredients for Arugula Pear Salad:

Here is what you need to make this arugula pear salad. I have also included some substitutions if needed.

pear and arugula salad prep

Arugula: I love using arugula for this salad. If you don’t like arugula you can also use baby spinach.

Bartlett Pears: I prefer the sweetness of the Bartlett pears. You can substitute for Bosc pears or even asian pears. You can use any pears you like.

Honey Crisp or Pink Lady Apple: I love these crisp, sweet apples. You can substitute for any apple you have on hand.

Pomegranate Seeds: Pomegranate seeds add a delicious juicy crunch to the salad. You can also substitiute with dried cranberries if needed.

Cinnamon Asiago Cheese: I buy this cheese at Trader Joes. If you don’t have a Trader Joes you can use any cinnamon cheese you can find or just use regular asiago or Parmesan cheese.

Candied Pecans: I buy my candied pecans from Trader Joes. You can also make your own or use toasted walnuts.

Black Forest Bacon: You can also use applewood smoked bacon.

Maple Orange Dressing:

This orange maple dressing is light and so full of flavor. The specialty vinegar really makes it special so I hope you try it out.

Here is what you need for the dressing.

orange maple dressing

White Balsamic Vinegar: You can substitute with a white wine vinegar if needed.

Oranges: You will need fresh oranges for this recipe. You will use the juices and zest

Maple Syrup: Use a good quality maple syrup for this recipe. You can also substitute with honey if needed.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil.

Salt and Pepper: To taste.

How To Make Arugula Pear Salad:

arugula pear salad 1

This salad is so simple and easy to make.

First prep all the ingredients according to the recipe card directions.

Make the dressing by combining all the ingredients in a mason jar.

Assemble the arugula on your serving platter and top with the toppings.

Toss the salad to combine with desired amount of dressing and serve immediately.

Prep Ahead Of Time:

If you need to make this salad ahead of time you can prep all the ingredients and store them in an airtight container in the fridge until you are ready to serve.

*Pro Tip: If you slice your apple and pear ahead of time you will need to toss them in some of the dressing or squirt some lemon juice on them to prevent them from oxidizing.

What To Serve With Arugula Pear Salad:

This salad works as a main dish or as a side salad.

If you are looking to make a meal out of this recipe try some of these favorite recipes to make it a meal!

Best Butternut Squash Soup

Famous Pretzel Dinner Roll Recipe

Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks

Roasted Broccolini With Pecorino and Pinenuts

Roasted Carrots With Shallot Cream Sauce

Arugula Pear Salad Recipe:

Serves 10