A lovely Fall pear and goat cheese salad, with dried cranberries, pecans and bacon, all on top of romaine lettuce. Topped with a homemade poppy seed dressing.
I don’t like to pick favourite salads, but let’s just say this one would be right up there! The combination of flavours is just a winner. It starts with ripe, firm Fall pears and is combined with dried cranberries, pecans, goat cheese and bacon. Yes, bacon is the perfect salty note in this salad and it pairs so well with the other flavours. It also provides a bit more heartiness for Fall.
As for salad dressing, I use a quick and easy homemade poppy seed dressing, then finish it all off with a drizzle of balsamic glaze. If you’re not familiar with balsamic glaze, I highly recommend adding it to your pantry. It is essentially balsamic vinegar that is lightly sweetened and reduced in to a thicker liquid. It’s sold in handy, dandy squeeze bottles, so it’s easy to grab and drizzle on all kinds of things.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Lettuce – I’ve used romaine lettuce here, but you can easily use another green or a mixture of greens, if you prefer.
Cheese – I used goat cheese, as I love the creaminess in this salad and it pairs beautifully with pears. Feta is another option, if you prefer.
Pears – As for which pears to use, I love Bosc pears, as they have a lovely texture and flavour, but Bartlett or Anjou pears are nice as well. Use pears that are ripe, but still have some firmness, for best results. If you want to change it up, try Red Pears. They are quite firm, even when ripe, with a more tart, almost apple-like flavour.
Pecans – I love pecans in this salad, but walnuts would be nice as well.
Bacon – The salty note from the bacon is a nice addition to this salad, but you can certainly omit for a vegetarian option.
Balsamic Glaze – Look for store-bought balsamic glaze in with the balsamic vinegars. It comes in smaller squeeze bottles. I like the Nonna Pia brand. Alternately, you can simply reduce regular balsamic vinegar in a saucepan with a little bit of brown sugar, simmering until it is syrupy.
Recipe Tips
You don’t want to cut the pears for the salad ahead, as they will brown as they sit. Cut them just before serving. I don’t peel mine. You can if you like.
Don’t dress the salad too far ahead, as it will get soggy. I try to have everything chopped and ready, but stored separately, then I just bring them together, toss and dress shortly before serving.
Recipe Video
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What to serve with this pear salad/h2>
I love this salad for lunch, on it’s own, or for dinner, with something simple liked grilled chicken or pork.
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Later in the Fall, it would be nice paired with my Braised Beef Stew with Cranberries. Add some mashed potatoes for a delicious and hearty meal!
For entertaining, maybe pair this lovely salad with pork tenderloin, roasted up with a simple balsamic glaze and sliced. Here are a few from the Seasons & Suppers archives …
Cranberry Balsamic Pork Tenderloin
Get the Recipe: Fall Pear and Goat Cheese Salad
Ingredients
For salad:
- 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped in to bite-sized pieces
- 3 slices bacon, cooked, cooled and crumbled
- 1/2 cup goat cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup pecan halves, roughly chopped
- 2 medium pears, core removed and roughly chopped (peeled or un-peeled)
Poppy Seed Salad Dressing:
- 1 Tablespoon granulated white sugar
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons white vinegar, or white wine vinegar
- 3 Tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil, or canola, or other neutral tasting oil
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
- Pinch salt and pepper
To Serve:
- Balsamic Glaze, for drizzling
Instructions
- Cook bacon until crisp. Set aside to cool, then crumble.
- Prepare the salad dressing by combining all ingredients and whisking until smooth, thickened and creamy. Set aside.
- Add chopped romaine to salad bowl. Top with dried cranberries, pecans, chopped pear, bacon and crumbled goat cheese. Drizzle with some of the poppy seed dressing. Toss to combine, adding more dressing if needed.
- Drizzle top with balsamic glaze. Serve and enjoy
Notes
More Fall Salad Recipes to Love!
Hi! I’m Jennifer, a home cook schooled by trial and error and almost 40 years of getting dinner on the table! I love to share my favourite recipes, both old and new, together with lots of tips and tricks to hopefully help make your home cooking enjoyable, stress free, rewarding and of course, delicious!
This salad is DELICIOUS. I also missed the note about the balsamic glaze (didn’t notice until I read the comments) and can’t wait to try that the next time I make this which will likely be tomorrow.
So glad you enjoyed it, Elsa :) It is a favourite of mine, especially this time of year when there are so many lovely pears. Thanks so much!
Huge hit! We all had 2 helpings and one guest had 3!
The poppy seed dressing was perfect. I was able to prep everything the day before (except chopping the lettuce), right down to sprinkling the pears with a little lemon juice. I admit I forgot to drizzle the Balsamic Glaze, a guest was chopping and dressing the salad, didn’t see the glaze and I never noticed. But no harm done – it was still gorgeous! I polished off what was left for breakfast! Spectacular!
It went beautifully along side some Mussels in Pernod and Cream.
Already planning on when to have it again! Think it’s going to be a lunch on its own with a baguette.
So glad to hear, Gwen! This is one of my favourite salads and I practically live on it while pears are nice. As you discovered it’s still lovely without the balsamic, but if you get a chance to try it with the balsamic, you’ll find it takes it up even another notch :) Thanks!
So glad you enjoyed this salad, Elizabeth! It is definitely my favourite Fall salad :)
Excellent salad! Perhaps my new favourite. I served this salad for Thanksgiving to rave reviews. I gave you the credit though.
So pretty, this is the perfect salad to celebrate fall flavors!
Thanks so much, Laura :)
I know what you mean about in your head it being fall…my fave season!! This salad is absolutely gorgeous, Jennifer! Love all those flavours! We have a pear tree and some of those would be put to good use with this recipe :)
Thanks so much, Dawn :) And how is it that you can grow pears in Nfld? Jealous!!
What a fabulous fall salad Jennifer. As soon as fall hits, I begin to think of pears, apples, pecans and cranberries. Great poppy seed dressing too!
Thanks Mary Ann and it has definitely hit hear (despite all efforts on of denial on my part ;)
I love the rustic look of this salad, Jennifer ~ salads just taste better in a wooden bowl, don’t they?
Thanks Sue and yes they do!
This IS the perfect salad to transition to fall. I have forgotten how much I love pear salads so thanks for this beautiful inspiration! I also like to add some tender poached chicken and make it a complete meal. Love the balsamic glaze – going to have to try it soon!
Thanks Tricia and yes, it would be perfect with poached chicken!
What an elegant way to usher the early days of Fall in! I love this salad, especially the flavors of pear and balsamic glaze together! It can be a great side to so may of Fall’s grilling adventures.
Thanks so much, Milena :) I love balsamic glaze on so many things, but you’re right, it pairs perfectly with the pears!
Goodness this gets me in the mood for autumn! I imagine enjoying a nice helping with a crisp apple wine! Beautiful!
Thanks so much, Annie and yes, how perfect with an apple wine!
This salad has EVERYTHING I love in it. I’ll definitely be trying it soon!!
Thanks Chris and yes, all my favourites too, and together … so delicious! :)