Citrus and Pear Spinach Salad
This will be your new favorite healthy spinach salad recipe! Fresh spinach leaves, arugula, onion, sliced pears, almonds and an easy balsamic vinaigrette.
I have been eating a LOT of salads lately! Unfortunately, the weather has been SO dang hot, it’s hard for me to be hungry for anything but leafy greens. This pear spinach salad is one of my favorites right now, thanks to its awesome blend of sweet and crunchy toppings,
Even if you aren’t in the sweltering Midwestern heat like me, I think you’ll love this simple spinach salad recipe. It makes the perfect side salad for an easy weeknight meal served with a protein like Shake and Bake Pork Chops or Maple Dijon Chicken Breast.
If you’re making this salad recipe in the fall or winter, I think it’d be wonderful alongside White Bean Soup, Navy Bean Soup, or Creamy Crack Chicken Noodle Soup on a cold winter’s day!
And, this salad recipe is beautiful enough to be the star of your holiday dinner!
Recipe Ingredients
Every good salad has a balance of healthy ingredients. In this baby spinach salad recipe, I mix spinach with arugula for a nice flavor balance.
Then, I add creamy shaved Parmesan cheese, nutty almonds and sweet pears to balance the bite of the arugula. In the dressing, I combine white balsamic vinegar and lemon juice with honey (or maple syrup) and Dijon mustard.
Mix in candied almonds or candied pecans for extra crunch and flavor.
Serving Suggestions for Pear Spinach Salad
I think this pear spinach salad works super well in the fall or winter seasons! I love to serve this fresh pear salad with a savory protein like Panko Breaded Chicken, Maple Dijon Chicken Breast or Pan Seared Filet Mignon.
You could also pair this salad with a comforting winter dish like Dutch Oven Chicken and Dumplings, Broccoli Cheddar Soup or Beer Braised Country Style Pork Ribs.
Have leftover pears to use? Double up on the pear goodness by making this Easy Pear Bread, Pear Cake or homemade Pear Cider.
The easy vinaigrette uses extra virgin olive oil. Remember, adding healthy fats to your salad is important, as they help you better digest your veggies!
Recipe Substitutions and Additions
Like any recipe, there are several ways you can modify the ingredients to better use what you already have on hand at home. Here are a few suggestions:
- Substitute feta cheese or goat cheese for the shaved Parmesan cheese. You can also use grated Parmesan cheese.
- Add fresh fruits! I like sliced fresh strawberries or mandarin oranges.
- Substitute crunchy pecans, pumpkin seeds (pepitas) or sunflower seeds for the sliced almonds
- Add dried fruit! I love dried apricots or dried cranberries on this salad
- For extra protein, top with grilled chicken, salmon, garbanzo beans or your favorite plant-based protein
- It’s easy to make this recipe a vegan salad! To make this recipe a vegan spinach salad, just omit the Parmesan cheese
Helpful Tip: Only toss the amount of salad that you need. Save leftover salad in an airtight container (without dressing) for up to 2 days in your refrigerator.
I hope that you love this spinach salad recipe! If you make it, let me know how it goes in the comments.
Citrus and Pear Spinach Salad
Ingredients
- 3 ounces fresh baby spinach leaves
- 2 ounces arugula
- 1 medium pear, sliced
- ⅔ cup red onions, sliced
- 3 ounces parmesan cheese, shaved
- ¼ cup sliced almonds
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 batch Citrus Balsamic Dressing
Instructions
- Thoroughly rinse your greens cold water, then remove and dry leaves in a salad spinner.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the raw spinach and arugula, toss to combine.
- Top with the remainder of the salad ingredients.
- Prepare your vinaigrette by putting all the ingredients into a small bowl and whisking until fully mixed. Drizzle a spoonful of vinaigrette over the salad for each serving.
- Toss the salad with dressing immediately before serving.
