Quick & Zesty Ina Garten’s Roasted Pear Salad Recipe for Foodies

Nestled between sweet and savory, this Ina Garten roasted pear salad recipe brings elegant simplicity to your table.

Ripe pears caramelize beautifully when roasted, releasing their natural sugars and creating a stunning flavor profile.

Crisp greens provide a fresh counterpoint to the warm, golden-brown fruit.

Delicate blue cheese crumbles add a tangy complexity that dances across your palate.

Toasted nuts contribute a delightful crunch that elevates every bite.

Each ingredient plays a harmonious role in this sophisticated salad.

The combination promises a delectable experience that will impress even the most discerning dinner guests.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 330 kcal

Servings: 6

What You’ll Need to Make Ina Garten Roasted Pear Salad

• Pears: Select ripe, firm pears with vibrant color and sweet aroma for perfect caramelization.
• Olive Oil: Helps create golden, glossy roasted pear surface and enhances flavor absorption.
• Maple Syrup: Adds rich, warm sweetness and helps create beautiful caramel-like glaze.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies natural pear flavors.
• Black Pepper: Provides subtle, spicy undertone to complement sweet roasted pears.

• Salad Greens: Choose crisp, mixed greens for varied texture and fresh foundation.
• Pecans: Adds delightful crunch and nutty, earthy depth to salad.
• Goat Cheese: Brings creamy, tangy element that complements sweet roasted pears.
• Pomegranate Arils: Introduces bright, jewel-like bursts of tart freshness.

• Olive Oil: Creates smooth, silky dressing base with rich Mediterranean essence.
• Lemon Juice: Provides bright, zesty acidity to balance sweet and rich ingredients.
• Garlic: Offers sharp, aromatic undertone that elevates overall dressing complexity.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds subtle heat and helps emulsify vinaigrette for perfect consistency.
• Salt, Pepper: Enhances and harmonizes all vinaigrette flavor notes.

Helpful Equipment for Ina Garten Roasted Pear Salad

• Baking Sheet: Essential for roasting pear slices evenly and catching any drips.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending vinaigrette ingredients smoothly and quickly.
• Small Bowl: Ideal for mixing lemon vinaigrette ingredients.
• Large Bowl: Needed for combining salad greens, toppings, and dressing.
• Sharp Knife: Crucial for slicing pears into even, attractive pieces.
• Measuring Spoons: Helpful for accurately portioning olive oil, maple syrup, and seasonings.

Instructions for Preparing Ina Garten Roasted Pear Salad

• Pear Preparation

Slice juicy pears and arrange them on a baking sheet, creating a colorful canvas for roasting. Sprinkle with a drizzle of golden olive oil and sweet maple syrup, then dust with a pinch of salt and a dash of black pepper.

• Oven Magic

Slide the baking sheet into a hot oven, letting the pears transform into caramelized, tender morsels. After 12-15 minutes, pull them out and let them rest, developing deeper flavors.

• Zesty Dressing

In a small bowl, blend bright lemon juice with fragrant olive oil, a hint of minced garlic, and a dollop of tangy Dijon mustard. Whisk until the mixture becomes a silky, vibrant blend.

• Salad Symphony

Scatter crisp greens in a large bowl, then shower with crunchy pecans, creamy goat cheese crumbles, and ruby-like pomegranate seeds. Gently nestle the roasted pear slices on top, then drizzle with the citrusy dressing. Toss lightly to marry all the flavors into a harmonious dish.

Flavor Swaps for Ina Garten Roasted Pear Salad

• Slice pears evenly to ensure uniform roasting and caramelization, preventing some pieces from burning while others remain undercooked.
• Swap goat cheese with blue cheese, feta, or fresh ricotta for different flavor profiles and texture variations.
• Toast pecans briefly in a dry skillet to intensify their nutty flavor and add extra depth to the salad's overall taste.
• Replace pears with roasted apples, plums, or butternut squash during different seasons for a fresh twist on the original recipe.
• Add a touch of honey or maple syrup to the lemon vinaigrette for a subtle sweetness that complements the roasted fruit's caramelized notes.

Serving Ideas for Ina Garten Roasted Pear Salad

• Pair with Rustic Bread: Slice a crusty artisan bread like sourdough or baguette to complement the salad's rich flavors and provide a delightful texture contrast.
• Serve as Starter Course: Present this elegant salad as a sophisticated appetizer before a main dinner course, ideal for dinner parties or special gatherings.
• Wine Pairing Suggestion: Select a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that will enhance the sweet roasted pears and tangy goat cheese.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped fresh thyme or basil leaves on top to add a bright, aromatic finish that elevates the salad's overall presentation.

How to Store Ina Garten Roasted Pear Salad Properly

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover roasted pear salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the dressing separate to prevent greens from getting soggy.
• Prep Ahead Strategies: Roast pears and make vinaigrette up to 1 day in advance. Chop nuts and store in a sealed container at room temperature to maintain crispness.
• Revive Wilted Greens: Refresh slightly droopy salad by adding fresh crisp greens and a quick drizzle of vinaigrette just before serving to boost flavor and texture.
• Freeze with Caution: Goat cheese and fresh greens do not freeze well. If preparing components separately, only store roasted pears in the freezer for up to 3 weeks in a freezer-safe container.

Elegant Ina Garten Roasted Pear Salad Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Ina Garten’s roasted pear salad combines sweet caramelized pears with peppery greens and tangy blue cheese. Crisp autumn flavors create a sophisticated side dish perfect for elegant dinner parties or simple weeknight meals.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 pears (green or red Anjou or Bartlett), cored & cut into 8 equal pieces
• 6 cups spring mix or combination of salad greens, including arugula
• 1 cup pomegranate arils
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup pecans (walnuts or hazelnuts), lightly toasted
• 0.5 cup crumbled goat cheese (approx. 5 oz)
• 0.5 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 4 tbsps freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp maple syrup (honey or agave nectar)
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 0.5 tsp kosher salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.25 tsp black pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Roasting Preparation: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C), creating an ideal environment for caramelizing pears.
2. Pear Arrangement: Slice pears into uniform thin wedges and arrange them in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring adequate spacing for even roasting.
3. Seasoning Layer: Drizzle extra virgin olive oil and maple syrup over pear slices, then sprinkle kosher salt and black pepper to enhance their natural sweetness and develop complex flavors.
4. Roasting Process: Bake pears for 12-15 minutes until edges turn golden and caramelization begins, transforming their texture and intensifying their inherent sweetness.
5. Vinaigrette Creation: While pears cool, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl to craft a vibrant, emulsified dressing.
6. Salad Assembly: In a large bowl, combine mixed greens, toasted pecans, crumbled goat cheese, and pomegranate arils, creating a textural and flavor-rich foundation.
7. Final Composition: Gently place roasted pear slices atop the salad, drizzle with lemon vinaigrette, and toss delicately to integrate ingredients without compromising their integrity.
8. Serving Recommendation: Present immediately to maintain optimal temperature and preserve the salad’s dynamic texture and fresh appearance.

Notes

• Slice Pears Precisely: Cut pears uniformly to ensure even caramelization and consistent roasting results.
• Control Roasting Temperature: Watch pears closely at 400°F to achieve golden edges without burning, typically 12-15 minutes.
• Emulsify Vinaigrette Carefully: Whisk dressing ingredients vigorously to create a smooth, well-blended sauce that coats salad evenly.
• Serve Immediately: Enjoy salad right after tossing to maintain crisp greens, warm roasted pears, and vibrant textures.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 330
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 360 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg