As the crisp autumn air rolls in, it’s time to savor the season’s best flavors. This Apple, Pear, and Goat Cheese Fall Salad combines sweet, juicy apples with creamy goat cheese and a medley of textures for a dish that’s perfect for holiday gatherings or a cozy weeknight dinner.
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This is one of those recipes that I’ve been making for years but just never shared with all of you! This salad is incredibly versatile and has always been a big hit with my whole family. I think yours will love it too! The combination of crisp apples and pears, creamy yet tangy goat cheese, and crunchy toasted walnuts is out of this world delicious. I make this salad several times a week throughout the fall without fail, but you can bet it always ends up on our Thanksgiving table every year too!
Why I Love This Recipe
- A Harvest Party on Your Plate: Crisp apples, juicy pears, and creamy goat cheese bring the best of autumn’s bounty to every bite.
- Flavor Perfection: Toasty walnuts, sweet-tangy dried cranberries, and a zesty vinaigrette make this salad sing with layers of deliciousness.
- Easy & Stunning: With minimal effort and a presentation that wows, this salad is perfect for everything from cozy dinners to festive gatherings! Another salad I love with fresh fall produce — this Fall Farmers Market Salad with persimmons.
The Ingredients
- Mixed greens – You can use any type of greens that you prefer.
- Apples – Any apples you love work great in this salad. I go for honey crisp, gala or fuji usually!
- Pears – I usually go for Anjou or Bartlett pears for this fall salad, but any type of pear will do.
- Goat cheese – The true hero of this salad is the creamy, tangy goat cheese. I’m always searching for the last crumbles for the perfect bite.
- Dried cranberries – These add a little sweetness and texture to an already delicious salad. Dried cherries, pomegranate seeds or even a golden raisin could be a good substitute if you need it in a pinch.
- Toasted walnuts – You can usually find toasted walnuts in the grocery store, but if not you can toast them yourself. See the recipe card below for toasting instructions. If walnuts aren’t your thing, opt for some fresh roasted pecan or even candied pecans for a tasty crunch.
- Zippy Vinaigrette: This vinaigrette is a pretty classic recipe made with apple cider vinegar, olive oil, chopped shallot, honey and salt to create a delicious tangy vinaigrette that goes well on almost any salad.
How to Make Apple, Pear and Goat Cheese Fall Salad
Step 1: Prep all ingredients. Slice apples and pears, toast the walnuts (if desired).
Step 2: Place greens in a large bowl or platter and top with sliced pears, apples, crumbled goat cheese, dried cranberries and walnuts.
Step 3: Whisk vinaigrette ingredients together until emulsified. Drizzle half the dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Continue to add dressing to your preference and serve.
Tips and Tricks
- Prep Ahead: If you’re wanting to make this salad ahead of time, the walnuts, cranberries and goat cheese can be prepped in advance. I would recommend slicing the apples and pears right before serving to prevent browning. You can make the dressing a week in advance if you want! Just give it a good shake before you use it to re-emulsify everything.
- Add Protein: Feel free to add some protein to this salad to make a more hearty meal. This Lemon Herb Chicken would be perfect!
- Main Dishes to Pair it With: Serve with some crusty bread and this salad is a perfect main dish! If you’re looking for it to complement a meal, here are some mains that pair well with it:
More Delicious Salads
I hope this delicious Apple, Pear and Goat Cheese Fall Salad makes it into your Autumn meal time repertoire! It’s super simple to make and looks absolutely gorgeous too. Great for all the fall gatherings coming up! Let me know what you think — leave a comment and rating below!
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Apple, Pear and Goat Cheese Fall Salad
Ingredients
- 4 cups mixed greens
- 2 apples, thinly sliced
- 2 pears, thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup goat cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup toasted walnuts (*toasting instructions below if necessary)
Vinaigrette
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 small shallot, finely diced
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Place greens in a large bowl or platter and top with sliced pears, apples, crumbled goat cheese, dried cranberries and walnuts.
- Place the vinegar, shallot, honey, olive oil and salt in a jar or a bowl and shake or whisk until emulsified.
- Drizzle half the vinaigrette over the salad and toss. Continue to add dressing to your preference and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Images by Ivan Solis
