Let me say that one more time… Brown Butter Vinaigrette.
Arugula Pear Salad. Sounds not too shabby just as it is right? But now imagine adding toasted hazelnuts, tangy goat cheese, and oh heck, let’s say it one more time for fun… Brown Butter Vinaigrette!! Welcome to salad heaven friends… this one is truly other-worldly.
This dressing is the best salad dressing you’ll ever have in your entire life. Hands-down. That may sound like bragging and that’s because it is. This dressing is insane. It’s made with butter. Browned butter. Now if you know me at all you know I’d eat a shoe if you doused it in brown butter, so I’m an easy sell, but I promise you, it’s absolutely scrumptious.
I mean, when was the last time you had butter on your salad? Is a salad even still a salad if you pour butter all over it? I’m gonna say yes. Besides, you’re eating a big bowl of peppery green arugula, fresh in-season pears and super healthy hazelnuts. It’s all good friends, all good.
Arugula pear salad recipe, how to make it…
We’ll start by making the dressing and did I mention how delicious this dressing is? I did. I know.
Brown your butter (if you don’t know how just google it or read this) and then whisk it together with some olive oil, maple syrup, dijon mustard, white wine vinegar, salt and pepper. Whisk vigorously so the butter is well mixed in.
Assemble your salad by filling a bowl with arugula, then top with sliced pears, toasted hazelnuts, dried cherries and crumbled goat cheese. Drizzle that delicious (I said it again!) dressing over the bowl, toss and eat. Share if desired.
arugula pear salad Recipe ingredients, tips, substitutions:
Arugula – I use baby arugula, but feel free to try other greens… baby spinach, butter lettuce, spring mix… all work.
Pears – it can be hard to find perfectly ripe pears, so go ahead and sub in crisp apples, apple pears, or firm plums.
Hazelnuts – feel free to mix up the nuts and use almonds, walnuts, pecans or pine nuts.
Dried Cherries – these do add a nice sweet-tangy flavour to the salad, but you can sub in dried-cranberries or even fresh pomegranate.
Goat Cheese – goat cheese is nice and tangy, but you can substitute feta or even blue cheese and I will not be mad at you.
looking for more incredibly delicious salad recipes? try these…
- Kale Apple Salad with Spicy Maple Nuts & Bacon
- Spicy Cucumber Salad with Chili Crisp
- Summer Berry Salad with Air Fried Brie Bites
- Spinach Arugula Salad with Sun-dried Tomatoes and Pine Nuts
- Broccoli Crunch Salad with Candied Bacon and Cashews
Recipe-ish…
Arugula Pear Salad with Hazelnuts and Brown Butter Vinaigrette
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 5 cups arugula
- 2 pears sliced
- 1/3 cup hazelnuts toasted and roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup dried cherries
- 1/3 cup goat cheese
For the Brown Butter Vinaigrette:
- 1/4 cup butter browned and slightly cooled
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 Tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp dijon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Instructions
Make the vinaigrette:
- In a bowl combine the brown butter, olive oil, vinegar, maple syrup, dijon, salt & pepper. Whisk well.*
Make the salad:
- Add the arugula to a serving bowl.
- Top with the pears, hazelnuts, cherries and goat cheese.
- Drizzle all with the vinaigrette and toss just before serving.
Notes
Let me know what you think below and if you like this Arugula Pear Salad Recipe then I know you’ll love my Warm Pearl Couscous Salad with Brown Butter and Sumac Dressing. It’s to die for.
