Candied Walnut and Pear Salad with a Lemon Poppyseed Dressing

A delicious and simple to salad with fresh sliced pears, avocado, cranberries and feta cheese.  Drizzled with a lemon poppyseed dressing this salad is mouthwatering and full of flavor! 

Hey everyone! Chelsea from Chelsea’s Messy Apron back with a delicious and easy salad for you all to try. 🙂

I’ve recently discovered just how delicious canned fruit can be in a salad! Particularly in spinach or mixed green salads. It’s great for when the fruit you are wanting isn’t quite in season or you are looking to add some flavor/nutrients to a salad QUICK. This salad has canned pears which are pre-peeled and sliced making it so simple.

Add some pre-made candied walnuts and dried cranberries, a chopped avocado and the easiest ever dressing and you’ve got a delicious and simple salad.

There is a lemon poppyseed homemade dressing that is as easy as squeezing a lemon and blending a few ingredients together. It’s my absolute favorite dressing and a recipe I use constantly. I hope you enjoy!

More delicious salad recipes:

Healthy Quinoa Greek Salad

Lemon poppyseed broccoli salad

Simple almond, cranberry, and apple quinoa salad

Roasted Corn, Zucchini, and Avocado Pasta Salad

Lemon Cucumber Salad

Detox Quinoa Salad

Candied Walnut and Pear Salad

Prep Time 20 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Author Chelsea Lords

Servings 6 Servings at Side

Print Review

A delicious and simple to salad with fresh sliced pears, avocado, cranberries and feta cheese.  Drizzled with a lemon poppyseed dressing this salad is mouthwatering and full of flavor! 

Course Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Ingredients

• 5 ounces 1/2 of a 10 ounce bag spinach
• 1 can sliced pears
• 1 cup candied walnuts find near salad toppings
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries
• 1 large avocado
• 1/3 cup feta cheese

Lemon Poppyseed Dressing

• 4 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard do not use regular
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons white sugar
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 tablespoon poppyseeds

Instructions

1. Combine the lemon juice, lemon zest, onion powder, dijon mustard, salt and sugar in a blender or food processor. Blend or pulse until completely smooth. Slowly pour in the vegetable oil and blend.
2. Stir in the poppyseeds.
3. For the rest of the salad:
4. Rinse and dry the mixed greens.
5. Thoroughly drain the pears.
6. Add in the candied walnuts and dried cranberries.
7. Remove the skin and pit of an avocado and dice.
8. Toss all of the ingredients together with the dressing, add some feta cheese, and enjoy immediately.
9. If not enjoying immediately, do not add the dressing until right before eating.
10. If desired, add some grilled chicken to this salad!

Nutrition Facts

Candied Walnut and Pear Salad

Amount Per Serving

Calories 335 Calories from Fat 234

% Daily Value*

Fat 26g40%

Saturated Fat 12g60%

Cholesterol 7mg2%

Sodium 300mg13%

Potassium 305mg9%

Carbohydrates 24g8%

Fiber 4g16%

Sugar 17g19%

Protein 4g8%

Vitamin A 2299IU46%

Vitamin C 14mg17%

Calcium 90mg9%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.