Healthy Thanksgiving Salad Autumn Pear & Pecan
Celebrate the flavors of autumn with this vibrant Healthy Thanksgiving Salad featuring juicy pears, crunchy pecans, and a light balsamic dressing. This salad beautifully balances sweetness and nuttiness, making it a delightful addition to your holiday table. Its colorful presentation and fresh ingredients will impress your guests while keeping meals light and nutritious.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups mixed salad greens (baby spinach, arugula, romaine)
- 2 ripe pears (Bosc or Anjou), thinly sliced
- 1 cup toasted pecans
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing by whisking together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Toast pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant and golden brown.
- Wash and dry mixed greens; tear into bite-sized pieces if preferred.
- Core and slice pears thinly.
- In a large bowl, combine mixed greens, sliced pears, toasted pecans, dried cranberries, and crumbled feta.
- Drizzle with dressing just before serving for optimal freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (150g)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: For added flavor variations, swap pecans for walnuts or use goat cheese instead of feta. To prevent pear browning, toss slices in lemon juice immediately after cutting. This salad can be prepared ahead by washing greens and toasting nuts but should be assembled right before serving for best texture.