This pear gorgonzola salad is so easy to make and has a great mix of flavors. Plus don't skip the maple candied pecans that add a delicious crunch and sweetness. Great as a side, a light appetizer, or enjoy a bigger serving for lunch.
![This pear gorgonzola salad is easy to make and has great flavors. Plus don't miss the healthier candied pecans. It makes a delicious side salad or make a big old bowl for lunch. plate of pear gorgonzola salad with fork to back of plate](images/pear-gorgonzola-salad-photo.jpg)
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Pears are something that we all enjoy - both of my sons love them as snacks, as do I. While we can get them all year round, they do somehow seem to taste that bit better when in season more locally. So, we definitely make the most of them then.
As well as snacking, we enjoy everything from my delicious pear cake to pear jam, as well as savory choices like this salad. It's quick and easy to make, particularly if you make the pecans ahead, and makes a great side or lunch.
![This pear gorgonzola salad is so easy to make and has a great mix of flavors. Plus don't skip the maple candied pecans that add a delicious crunch and sweetness. Great as a side, a light appetizer, or enjoy a bigger serving as a lunch. plate of pear gorgonzola salad from overhead with pear above plate and fork below](https://www.carolinescooking.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/pear-gorgonzola-salad-ohead-pic.jpg)
Pear and gorgonzola are a common pairing, for good reason, and so really don't need a whole lot more to make it work. But the addition of candied pecans to this salad is the perfect way to really make it special. So I really recommend you don't skip them.
Much as they feel that bit indulgent, these are actually relatively healthy, as candied things go. They are made with maple syrup rather than sugar, and only a small amount, too.
![ingredients for pear gorgonzola salad bowls with arugula, pecans, gorgonzola with pear, oil, vinegar and maple to side](https://www.carolinescooking.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/ingredients-pear-gorgonzola-salad.jpg)
Making and storing maple candied pecans
The candied pecans are really quick to make - all you do is:
- Dry-toast the pecans in a skillet until gently nutty smelling.
- Drizzle the maple syrup over them and quickly toss so they are coated.
- Tip them on some parchment paper and let them cool.
Make sure you use a plastic spatula to stir as the syrup does get hot. For the same reason, I recommend you don't handle the pecans directly until they are cool. Using a plastic spatula means once any excess syrup has cooled, it just slides off really easily (and tastes delicious!)
You can keep the nuts in a sealed box at room temperature for a few weeks and use them on a whole range of things, such as with other salads or on top of my banana oatmeal.
They're addictively good, so you might want to make extra! In all honesty, you can get away with a little less maple syrup than listed here but this ensures they are coated.
![maple candied pecans used to top pear gorgonzola salad maple candied pecans cooling on parchment](https://www.carolinescooking.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/maple-candied-pecans-pear-gorgonzola-salad.jpg)
Putting together the pear gorgonzola salad
The rest is as simple as chopping the pear, whisking the oil, vinegar and maple syrup for the dressing and layering it all up.
The dressing here is the same maple vinaigrette that I use in my beet apple salad and is both really easy and the perfect pairing for autumnal fruit. It's has a nice sweet-tart balance, though if you prefer it sweeter, give it a taste and you can always add a little extra maple syrup.
If you want to bulk it out to be more of a meal, some chicken would work well to bulk it out a little more. You could also add some roasted beets (as I do sometimes) or other roasted roots like squash or parsnips.
![This pear gorgonzola salad is so easy to make and has a great mix of flavors. Plus don't skip the maple candied pecans that add a delicious crunch and sweetness. Great as a side, a light appetizer, or enjoy a bigger serving as a lunch. side view of a plate of pear gorgonzola salad](https://www.carolinescooking.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/pear-gorgonzola-salad-close-side-picture.jpg)
This pear gorgonzola salad is so easy to make and has a delicious sweet-savory balance. It makes a great side salad to a broad range of dishes, or make a big old bowl for lunch. So quick, so tasty, it makes a fantastic but easy change from your average salad.
Try these other autumnal salads:
- Vegan lentil salad with roasted Brussels sprouts
- Butternut squash wild rice salad
- Apple celeriac salad
- Roasted kabocha squash salad with feta
- Plus get more fall recipes in the archives.
Pear gorgonzola salad with maple candied pecans
Ingredients
For candied pecans
- ¼ cup pecans
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
For vinaigrette
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
For rest of salad
- ½ pear
- 2 handfuls arugula rocket (approx)
- 1 oz gorgonzola (approx)
Instructions
For maple candied pecans (can make ahead)
- First prepare a baking sheet or other flat surface with some parchment paper. Toast the pecan halves or pieces in a dry skillet/frying pan for a couple minutes until they are starting to smell slightly toasted. Drizzle over the ½ tablespoon maple syrup and toss the nuts with a plastic spatula so they become coated. Remove from heat.
- Tip the pecans on to the parchment and spread out so they are separated then leave to cool. If any are slightly stuck, they will separate best once fully cooled. The nuts can be made a week or two ahead and stored in an airtight container.
To make salad
- Remove the core from the pear then cut into slices - you can cut across to make quarter moons or cut as long lengths, as you prefer.
- Place the arugula in the bottom of your serving plate(s), top with the pear and crumbled gorgonzola. You can either scatter the pear or fan out slices, as you prefer. Top with the candied pecans.
- Whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar and maple syrup and drizzle over the top.
Video
Nutrition
See some of my favorite cooking tools and ingredients in the Caroline's Cooking Amazon store.
This post was first shared in September 2016 and has been updated, primarily with new photos and video.
Remember to pin for later!
![This pear gorgonzola salad is so easy to make and has a great mix of flavors. Plus don't skip the maple candied pecans that add a delicious crunch and sweetness. Great as a side, a light appetizer, or enjoy a bigger serving as a lunch. This pear gorgonzola salad is so easy to make and has a great mix of flavors. Plus don't skip the maple candied pecans that add a delicious crunch and sweetness. Great as a side, a light appetizer, or enjoy a bigger serving as a lunch.](https://www.carolinescooking.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/pear-gorgonzola-salad-pin.jpg)
Toni
I'm definitely making this again and again! Thanks for this easy and delicious recipe!
Caroline's Cooking
So glad you enjoyed, and yes both easy and delicious!
Sara Welch
This was everything a gourmet salad should be and then some! Light yet hearty, fresh and hands down delicious!
Caroline's Cooking
So glad you enjoyed!
Valentina
Such a delicious combination of ingredients. Love it. And I also love the beautiful blue ceramic bowl! So pretty.
Caroline's Cooking
Thanks (and yes I like that bowl too!)
Jere Cassidy
Yum! I am a pear eater, and adding them to salads is perfect for me. I love everything you added, especially those candied pecans.
Caroline's Cooking
Thanks, the pecans really finish it off nicely.
Lisa Bynum
Oh my word, this sounds amazing! I love a salad with lots of tastes and textures. You've definitely got that going on here with the sweet and salty, soft and crunchy.
Caroline's Cooking
Thanks, yes it's a delicious combination for sure.
Natalie
A great salad always has a nice mix of sweet, savoury and crunchy. This one looks delicious and one I would happily devour again and again. Thanks for sharing it at Fiesta Friday. Have a great weekend!
Caroline's Cooking
Thanks Natalie, I agree a nice balance is always good and this definitely has that. Enjoy!
Michelle
Pear is one of my favorite additions to salads!
The maple pecans are a real treat!
Thanks
Michelle
Caroline's Cooking
Thanks Michelle, the maple pecans are so tasty, and I agree pears are great in salads.
Petra
Pears and gorgonzola is a marriage made in heaven and you made it even better with your delicious sounding pecan nuts! I have always preferred pecans to walnuts and I have to try these, I am inspired. 🙂
Caroline's Cooking
Thanks Petra, I hope you enjoy! Those candied pecans are really tasty and so much healthier than most versions.