Pear, Arugula, and Goat Cheese Salad | Front Range Fed (2024)

This Pear, Arugula and Goat Cheese Salad is a light and refreshing salad that's bursting with flavor! Peppery arugula, sweet juicy pears, creamy goat cheese, and crunchy walnuts, make this salad the ultimate summer favorite.

It's salad season, and I'm on the hunt for the perfect one! This Arugula Pear and Goat Cheese Salad has been calling my name - there's something about a soft cheese in a salad that makes it feel a bit indulgent, don't you think?

Make this salad when you want the perfect side dish to go with something like grilled chicken, pork or steak. It's the perfect summer salad, although it's a great one to keep in your back pocket for any time of year, even in cooler months. Pears are still in season during the fall months. It also makes a great winter salad - perfect alongside a holiday dinner.

Why This Recipe Works

This is a great summer salad for so many reasons!

• Easy. Let's be honest, most salads are pretty easy to pull off. But this one is great because the dressing is super simple to whip up, and you can literally just toss everything together.
• Great texture. I love the blend of textures and tastes here. Creamy goat cheese, crunchy walnuts, chewy cranberries, it's a great mix that satisfies all my cravings - even for a salad!
• Delicious. All the flavors in this baby are perfectly suited for each other. I love the rich tang of the goat cheese, the sweetness of the pears, and the peppery notes of arugula. Delish!
• Elegant. If you're looking for a simple salad to impress, this one checks the box. Personally, I love fanning the pears over the top in an eye-catching design.

Key Ingredients

There are only a handful of ingredients needed for this easy arugula pear salad.

• Fresh arugula. The star ingredient of this salad, arugula adds a peppery flavor and crisp texture.
• Ripe pears. The summer months are a great time to experiment with different types of pears that you might not normally see in grocery stores. Use any variety of crisp pear you like for this easy salad - Bosc pears, anjou pears, or Asian pears will all work perfectly.
• Crumbled goat cheese. Soft goat cheese adds a tangy and luxurious element to the salad.
• Chopped walnuts. Toasted nuts provide a crunchy texture and nutty flavor that complements the other ingredients.
• Dried cranberries or cherries. In addition to adding some extra texture and color to the salad, cranberries add a bit of extra sweetness to each bite of this delicious salad.
• Raspberry vinaigrette: A simple vinaigrette made with raspberry preserves, balsamic vinegar, and extra virgin olive oil enhances the flavors of the salad and brings everything together.

How To Make Arugula, Pear, and Goat Cheese Salad

As I said above, this pear arugula salad is simple to make. Here's how to do it.

1. Prepare the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, raspberry preserves, and olive oil until well combined. Set aside. (Note - you can store this in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks if you have any leftover, or if you're planning to meal prep and do a few of these steps in advance.)

2. Toast the nuts. In a dry skillet over medium-low heat, toast the chopped walnuts or pecans for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove from heat and set aside to cool. (Confession - I also sometimes roast these with a bit of brown sugar to make candied walnuts, which also go great with this salad.) Toasting the nuts may feel like an extra step, but it only takes a couple of minutes and provides such a nice crunch that I think it's worth it!

3. Assemble the salad. If you're serving this for company and want it to look nice, here's how I like to assemble it. Add the arugula to a large mixing bowl, then drizzle the prepared dressing over the arugula leaves. Toss gently to coat the arugula evenly with the dressing. Next, sprinkle the walnuts and cranberries over the salad and toss to combine. Transfer the salad to your serving bowl. Add the pear slices in a nice fan shape over the bed of arugula, then sprinkle the goat cheese over the top. Done!

Variations And Substitutions

• Change up the cheese. Substitute goat cheese with feta cheese or blue cheese for a sharper flavor.
• Try different nuts or seeds. You're really just looking for some added crunch with the nuts so use whatever you have on hand or is easily available. Use pine nuts, pumpkin seeds, or sliced almonds instead of walnuts or pecans for variety.
• Swap the arugula. I love the peppery bite of arugula in this goat cheese salad recipe, but if you're not a fan, try baby spinach or another soft-leaf lettuce.
• Add-ins. Add other ingredients like red onion, or pomegranate seeds for extra flavor and texture.
• Change the dressing. I wouldn't go too savory or acidic here, but if you have a nice balsamic vinaigrette you like from the grocery store (or your own recipe), feel free to use it here.

Frequently Asked Questions

This simple salad is a great addition to any meal - a delicious side salad for holidays or a dinner party, or perfect as a light summer meal all on its own. I hope you love it as much as I do.

If you try this Arugula Pear Salad Recipe, let me know what you think of it in the comments below. And please don't forget to tag me on Instagram with a pic @frontrangefed. I'd love to see it!

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