Why Should You Make This Recipe?
Sweet, Savory, Nutty All in One Salad: The sweetness of the roasted pears and pomegranate seeds complement the nutty pecans and the peppery arugula creating a great salad with simple everyday ingredients. Easily Customizable: You can follow the recipe as written or try my variation suggestions to make it your own. Switch up the salad greens, nuts, or the dressing for a different twist if you are missing an ingredient or two. Visually Impressive: Need a centerpiece to wow your family for the Thanksgiving meal? This Roasted Pear Arugula Salad is one of our most popular green side dishes for Thanksgiving. Bright and colorful, it is a beautiful side dish at any gathering.
How To Roast Pears For Salad?
Make The Dressing:
For the dressing for this arugula pear salad, I used my all-time favorite lemon vinaigrette that you can make in minutes. Simply whisk together all of the dressing ingredients in a small bowl and whisk for 30-60 seconds, until fully combined.
Make The Salad
To Make Ahead: Roast pears, let them cool to room temperature and store them in an airtight container in the fridge a day ahead of time. Make the dressing at the same time and again, keep it in the fridge. A few minutes before you are ready to serve, assemble the salad as written and drizzle it with the dressing. To Store leftovers: Leftover salad can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. However, please be aware that since it is already dressed the salad greens will be quite wilted the next day. Freeze: I would not recommend freezing this salad.
Arugula Pear Cranberry Salad: Use dried cranberries instead of pomegranate seeds. Arugula Pear Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette: Use my lemon balsamic vinaigrette recipe or maple balsamic vinegar dressing instead of lemon dressing. Spinach Pear Pecan Salad: Use baby spinach instead of mixed salad greens. Grilled Pear Salad: Grill pear slices on the grill (or in a grill pan) for 2 minutes on each side. Serve it as a warm pear salad for a change. Turn it into a meal by adding cooked quinoa: Elevate this side dish to a main dish by adding in your favorite grain, like quinoa! Serve it for dinner or make it a part of your weekly meal prep for a healthy weekday lunch. Add in a small sliced red onion: Top it off with thinly sliced red onions or pickled red onions for additional flavor.
Cornish Hens: If you are looking to impress your dinner guests, consider making my creative Roasted Cornish Hens. These roasted small birds will pair perfectly with this pear salad recipe. Chicken Breasts: You can’t go wrong with serving juicy, tender baked chicken breasts with this Roasted Pear And Goat Cheese Salad. Delicious and filling, this protein-packed entree is sure to impress your dinner guests but is casual enough for a quiet night in. Butternut Squash Noodles: If you are opting for a vegetarian meal, or just looking to embrace the seasonal vegetables, my Butternut Squash Noodles are an irresistibly creamy, delectable dish. Beef Stew: If you have a few hours on your hands, my Dutch Oven Beef Stew is a veggie-packed dish full of protein and rich flavors and will pair beautifully with this roasted pear salad.
