Arugula Pear Salad

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This arugula pear salad is special occasion worthy but so simple to make! The contrast of the crunchy sweet candied walnuts, juicy pears and rich bleu cheese is perfection.

arugula pear salad on a plate with extra candied walnuts on the side

Hello, beautiful salad!

If you’ve been a regular reader here for just about any amount of time you know that I take salads very seriously. And by serious, I mean there’s no time for the boring ones.

My version of a perfect salad has a flavorful leafy green, bold cheese, some sort of crunch factor (like nuts, seeds or sourdough croutons), juicy fruit and a tangy homemade dressing. This arugula pear salad is a classic and definitely checks all of those boxes.

Ingredients for a Perfect Arugula Pear Salad

arugula – this is a bold, peppery green and it holds up well to the other flavors and textures of this salad.
ripe pear – perfectly juicy and mild! Wait until it turns just slightly yellow and the skin gives a little bit when you give it a gentle squeeze.
candied walnuts – these are basically walnuts coated in butter and sugar and then cooled until crunchy. You can also add various spices for more flavor but for this recipe, we’re keeping things simple (see below for instructions on how to make them on the stovetop).
bleu cheese – optional, but not really optional if you want to get the full experience here because it is simply perfect on this salad. If you love bleu cheese like me, check out my fig toast recipe which has a similar flavor profile.

arugula in a bowl, bleu cheese crumbles, walnuts and a pear

Can we take a second to acknowledge how underrated a fruit the pear really is? I feel like it gets no love in the fall but a ripe pear is just so perfect.

How to Make Candied Walnuts on the Stovetop

The candied walnuts really make this salad special. Luckily they are very easy to make at home. I prefer the stovetop because it’s the fastest and least fussy. Here are the steps from start to finish:

Step 1: add walnuts, butter and sugar to a small nonstick skillet
Step 2: stir frequently until the sugar is melted and completely coats the nuts
Step 3: pour the walnuts onto a plate lined with parchment paper to cool

TIP: this takes a good 10 minutes, so don’t be discouraged if it seems like the sugar is clumping and not melting (see the second photo below). Keep stirring and soon enough, it will melt and form what looks like a thin caramel.

nonstick will with walnuts, sugar and butter

nonstick skillet with walnuts and melted sugar

FAQs & Substitutions

What if I don’t like bleu cheese?

First, I would highly encourage you to try it here even if you think you aren’t a fan. So so good! You could also omit the cheese, or try feta or goat cheese crumbles.

Can I make this ahead of time?

I wouldn’t recommend it because the arugula will start to wilt soon after you toss it in the dressing. You can make the candied walnuts up to a few days ahead of time though!

What other greens would work well here?

If arugula isn’t available or you don’t care for the taste, baby spinach would also be nice.

This is a classic for a reason! And it’s just as vibrant as it is delicious, so I love the idea of serving this on holiday tables. Is it too soon to be talking about holiday tables?

More healthy salads: