Pear Gorgonzola Salad
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This Pear Gorgonzola Salad combines sweet, juicy pears, tangy Gorgonzola, crisp greens, and crunchy walnuts with a bright orange-honey vinaigrette. The fresh citrus dressing brings all the flavors together for a beautiful Italian-inspired salad that’s especially lovely for fall, winter, and holiday meals.
If you love this recipe, you should try my Italian Fennel Orange Salad and Fall Harvest Salad.
Quick Look: Pear Gorgonzola Salad
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Dietary Info: Vegetarian and gluten-free
- Method: Assemble salad + shake-and-pour vinaigrette
- Technique: Build the salad in layers, shake the vinaigrette separately, then drizzle it over the top
- Flavor/Texture: Sweet, tangy, creamy, crisp, and crunchy
Why This Salad Stands Out
I love how the sweet pears and sharp Gorgonzola balance each other, especially with the bright citrus flavor of the orange-honey vinaigrette. It is one of those salads that looks beautiful on the table but comes together with very little effort, making it a favorite when I want a fresh Italian-inspired side that feels a little special.
Serve alongside Lemon Caper Chicken (Chicken Piccata) or Juicy Homemade Burgers.
Made With Amore,
“Not a salad fan. Can’t get enough of this.”
– Gemlady
Table of Contents
Simple Ingredients
This pear and Gorgonzola salad uses a handful of fresh ingredients, with sweet pears, creamy-tangy cheese, crunchy walnuts, and a bright orange-honey vinaigrette creating the signature flavor combination.
- Pears: Choose ripe but firm pears that are sweet and hold their shape when sliced.
- Gorgonzola: Adds a creamy, salty, tangy bite that balances the sweetness of the pears.
- Italian Greens: Provide a fresh base for the salad and its flavorful toppings.
- Walnuts: Add crunch and a nutty contrast to the creamy cheese and juicy pears.
- Orange Vinaigrette: Bright orange, honey, Dijon, and olive oil create the sweet-tangy dressing that brings the salad together.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations & Substitutions
- Nuts: Swap walnuts for Candied Pecans, pistachios, or almonds.
- Pears: Use Anjou, Bosc, Bartlett, or Comice pears. Apples can be substituted if needed. You’ll love my Christmas Salad.
- Cheese: Substitute the gorgonzola with blue cheese, Stilton, feta, or goat cheese.
- Greens: Use romaine, arugula, spinach, red cabbage, or another leafy green mix.
How To Make Pear Gorgonzola Salad
This pear Gorgonzola salad comes together in minutes: shake the orange-honey vinaigrette, layer the salad ingredients, then dress just before serving. Follow the step-by-step photos and see the recipe card at the bottom for a printable version.
- Add the orange viniagrette ingredients to a Mason jar. Alternatively, you can add them to a small bowl and whisk to combine them.
- Shake the salad dressing ingredients to combine.
- In a large bowl or plater, add the mixed greens.
- Add the rest of the ingredients on top of the salad. Do not toss.
- Add the prepared dressing evenly to the salad 10 minutes before serving. Do not toss, or all the ingredients will fall to the bottom.
- The dressing will eventually coat the bottom of the salad as it sinks. The salad will toss naturally as it is served.
Gorgonzola Salad FAQs
The orange-honey vinaigrette can be prepared ahead and refrigerated for up to two days. For the best texture, assemble the salad and add the dressing shortly before serving.
Anjou, Bosc, Bartlett, and Comice pears all work well. Choose pears that are ripe and sweet but still firm enough to hold their shape when sliced.
For this recipe, no. Arrange the ingredients on a wide platter and drizzle the dressing over the top about 10 minutes before serving. The dressing will seep through the salad as it is served, helping keep the toppings distributed.
Serving Suggestions
This pear gorgonzola salad makes a beautiful side for an Italian-inspired meal. Serve it alongside Classic Italian Lasagna Bolognese, Gorgonzola Pizza, or Pan-Cooked Steak, and make a homemade loaf of No Knead Italian Focaccia for the side. Try my Pear Frangipane Tart for dessert!
My Pro Tips
Recipe Tips
- Choose pears that are ripe but still firm so they hold their shape in the salad.
- Use a wide, shallow platter so the toppings are distributed evenly and easy to serve.
- Dress the salad about 10 minutes before serving so the vinaigrette can work its way through the greens.
- Don’t toss the salad before serving. The dressing will naturally coat the ingredients as the salad is served.
More Salad Recipes to Try
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Pear Gorgonzola Salad Recipe
Ingredients
Orange Vinaigrette Salad Dressing
- ¾ cup good quality olive oil
- ½ cup fresh squeezed orange juice + zest of one orange
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt, more to taste
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, cut in quarters
Salad
- 2 bags Italian lettuce mix or spring greens, 510 g
- 3 medium pears, cored and diced
- 1 5-ounce container crumbled gorgonzola or blue cheese
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts , or candied pecans
Instructions
Make the Vinaigrette
- Place all ingredients in a Mason jar and shake vigorously. The dressing can be kept at room temperature for up to two hours or in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Prepare the Salad
- In a large salad bowl or plater add the mixed salad. Add the rest of the ingredients on top of the salad. Do not toss.
- Add all of the prepared dressing on evenly on top of the salad 10 minute before serving. Do not toss or all the ingredients will fall to the bottom. The dressing will eventually coat the bottom of the salad as it sinks. The salad will toss naturally as it is served. Mangia!
Notes
- Choose pears that are ripe but still firm so they hold their shape in the salad.
- Use a wide, shallow platter so the toppings are distributed evenly and easy to serve.
- Dress the salad about 10 minutes before serving so the vinaigrette can work its way through the greens.
- Don’t toss the salad before serving. The dressing will naturally coat the ingredients as the salad is served.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I made this salad for Christmas Eve. It was delicious simple and easy thank you Elena. โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ
Thank you! So happy you loved this recipe. We make it often!
Not a salad fan. Canโt get enough of this. Thanks for posting
YAY! So happy you love!
This was such a refreshing salad. The ingredients are simple but it comes together flawlessly and packs a lot of flavor! My family loved it!
Thrilled you loved it. It is a tried and true staple!
I made this salad for thanksgiving last year and loved it! I have been making it ever since, I love the orange salad dressing!!! So fresh!
Thank you! It is one of our favorites as well!
I made this elegant and beautiful salad as an accompaniment to everything on Thanksgiving. It was a huge hit! The orange vinaigrette is lovely. I highly recommend this salad anytime of the year.
So happy you loved it! It does make a beautiful presentation. You should try the orange, fennel, and pomegranate recipe for your holiday parties. Enjoy.
Whole family loves this salad recipe. Easy and flavorful!
Happy you loved it! The orange vinaigrette is so scrumptious.
This has become one of our favorite Sunday dinner sides.
This is my familyโs new favorite salad! We have made a similar salad for years, but this homemade dressing takes it over the top!, thank you Elena! Love your website, recipes, instagram, stories! Love it all!
Yes, the dressing is so fresh and delicious. Happy you enjoy it!
I LOVE this salad. The citrus based dressing is divine, and the blue cheese in combination with the pears makes for a party in your mouth. I donโt love walnuts so I used pecans instead.
So happy you loved it. I am sure pecans would be wonderful as well!
LOVED this recipe. It was so fresh and filling. And looks beautiful too!
It is a beautiful and delicious salad. Thanks for taking the time to write a review!