This pomegranate spinach salad is bright, fresh, and full of vibrant colorsโthe perfect mix of juicy pear, crunchy pecans, salty bacon, and sweet-tart pomegranate seeds. Tossed with a simple maple vinaigrette, itโs a beautiful salad that works for fall lunches, holiday gatherings, or your Christmas dinner table. Itโs quick to prepare, easy to customize, and always a crowd-pleaser. It's the perfect Christmas salad!
Why Youโll Love This Pear Spinach Salad
- Festive and beautiful: The mix of spinach, pear, and pomegranate arils creates a stunning holiday table salad with the perfect pop of color. It's great to add to a Christmas menu.
- Delicious textures: Creamy goat cheese, crunchy candied pecans, crispy bacon, and juicy pear make every bite feel special. If you love candied pecans try our favorite cinnamon almonds.
- Simple ingredients: Everything is easy to find, and the homemade dressing comes together in a mason jar in seconds.
- Perfect for any menu: A great addition to a holiday meal, potluck, or weeknight dinner.
- Flexible and customizable: Swap cheeses, use baby spinach, or adjust the vinaigrette to your taste.
- Pairs with anything: Serve it with roasted chicken, soup, or your favorite fall entree for a complete meal.
Ingredient Notes
- Spinach: Baby spinach works beautifully and gives the salad a soft, delicate texture.
- Pear: Any variety worksโBartlett and Anjou give the best juicy sweetness.
- Pomegranate arils: Fresh or packaged arils both work. You can also seed a whole pomegranate for the freshest flavor. Looking for other recipe ideas that use pomegranate arils? Try our salmon quinoa bowl with maple cider vinaigrette.
- Candied pecans: Store-bought or homemade. For extra crunch, lightly toast them first.
- Goat cheese or feta: Optional, but adds creamy contrast. Feta gives a salty bite; goat cheese adds tang.
- Avocado oil: Swap with olive oil or another neutral oil.
- Vinegar: Red wine vinegar adds brightness, but white wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar work too for different flavor profiles.
- Maple syrup: Adds natural sweetness to balance the vinaigretteโhoney can be used if you prefer.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and measurements for this amazing salad.
Recipe Tips & Variations
- Add more crunch: Toss in sliced almonds, toasted walnuts, or pumpkin seeds.
- Add protein: Grilled chicken, salmon, or roasted chickpeas turn this into a complete meal.
- Swap the fruit: Try apples instead of pear for a classic fall version.
- Use different greens: Spring mix or arugula also work and add peppery flavor.
- Add red onions: Thin slices add a sharp contrast that pairs well with the sweetness of the fruit.
- Try a balsamic vinaigrette: For a richer, slightly sweeter dressing.
- Make it dairy-free: Simply leave out the goat cheese or feta.
How to Make Pear and Pomegranate Salad
For the full recipe instructions to this tasty salad, scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
Step 1: Add the spinach to a large bowl. Top with the diced pear and sprinkle the pomegranate arils evenly over the greens. Scatter the crumbled bacon and candied pecans over the salad. If you're using goat cheese or feta, crumble it on top now.
Step 2: In a blender, add the oil, red wine vinegar, maple syrup, dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper and blend until smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Step 3: Drizzle the salad with your desired amount of salad dressing and toss gently to coat or dress each individual portion. Serve immediately for the best texture.
Spinach Pomegranate Salad With Pear FAQs
Store undressed salad in an airtight container for up to 2 days. If the leftover salad is dressed, it is best enjoyed the same day, but leftovers can be eaten the next day if you donโt mind softer greens.
Leftover dressing keeps well for up to a week in a sealed jar.
This delicious spinach salad is gluten free. It can be dairy-free with the omission of cheese.
Other Recipes for the Holiday Season
If you make this pomegranate spinach salad recipe, please let us know how it turns out in the comments below and/or rate the recipe! Donโt forget to tag us on Instagram to show us your finished productโit makes our day every time we see you trying the recipes we love!
Pomegranate Spinach Salad With Pear
Ingredients
For the salad
- 8 cups spinach
- 1 pear, diced
- ยพ cup pomegranate arils
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- ยพ cup candied pecans, homemade or store-bought
- Goat cheese or feta cheese, optional
For the dressing
- ยฝ cup avocado oil (or other neutral or light oil)
- ยผ cup red wine vinegar
- 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- ยฝ teaspoon salt + more to taste
- ยผ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Add the spinach to a large serving bowl. Top with the diced pear and sprinkle the pomegranate arils evenly over the greens. Scatter the candied pecans and crumbled bacon over the salad. If you're using goat cheese or feta, crumble it on top now.
- In a blender, add the oil, red wine vinegar, maple syrup, dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper and blend until smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Drizzle the salad with your desired amount of dressing and toss gently to coat or dress each individual portion. Serve immediately for the best texture.
Notes
- Save time/prep ahead:
- Prep the dressing in advance: Mix it in a mason jar and store in the fridge for up to 1 week. Shake before serving.
- Pre-chop the pear: If prepping ahead, toss diced pear in a little lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Cook the bacon early: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3โ4 days.
- Assemble just before serving: For the best texture, keep the fresh salad components separate and combine right before eating.
- This delicious spinach salad is gluten free. It can be dairy-free with the omission of cheese.
- The recipe can be found on My Fitness Pal by searching "BWB Pomegranate Spinach Salad." The nutrition facts are calculated for a serving of salad and 1/10th of the dressing. The nutrition content provided for each recipe is an estimate created through the My Fitness Pal database. Please be aware that the nutritional content of each recipe may vary based on the products you use, the precision of your measurements, and the source you use to obtain nutrition data. While we try to provide accurate information, we give no guarantee regarding the accuracy of the nutritional information provided.
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