Elevate your salad game with this Pear Walnut Salad with Creamy Bleu Blue Cheese Dressing, a perfect harmony of crisp, sweet, and savory flavors! Tender mixed salad greens are paired with juicy, ripe pear slices and crunchy toasted walnuts, creating a delightful medley of textures. The star of the dish is the velvety, tangy dressing, made from Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, and crumbled blue cheese, with just a hint of honey and lemon juice for balance. Ready in just 20 minutes, this salad is ideal as a light lunch, a dinner side dish, or an elegant starter. Wholesome and sophisticated, itβs a must-try for fans of blue cheese and fresh, seasonal ingredients!
Start by preparing the walnuts. Preheat a small skillet over medium heat and toast the walnuts for 3β5 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove them from the heat and set aside to cool.
Wash the pears thoroughly and slice them into thin wedges, removing the core and seeds. If desired, you can leave the skin on for added texture and nutrients.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the mixed salad greens, toasted walnuts, and pear slices. Set aside.
To make the dressing, in a medium-sized bowl whisk together the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, honey, salt, and ground black pepper until smooth.
Fold in the crumbled blue cheese gently, ensuring the dressing has small chunks of cheese throughout for a rich texture.
Drizzle the creamy blue cheese dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
Serve the salad immediately for the best flavor and crispness. Optionally, garnish with additional blue cheese crumbles or a sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper.
Calories |
1986 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 151.5 g | 194% | |
| Saturated Fat | 35.1 g | 176% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 57.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 155 mg | 52% | |
| Sodium | 3101 mg | 135% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 106.1 g | 39% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 22.8 g | 81% | |
| Total Sugars | 58.2 g | ||
| Protein | 73.0 g | 146% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.4 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 1143 mg | 88% | |
| Iron | 6.4 mg | 36% | |
| Potassium | 2193 mg | 47% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.