This tasty Arugula Salad with Asian Pears is topped with avocados, pistachios, goat cheese, and a tangy lemon vinaigrette. Perfect for lunch or dinner and ready in 15 minutes!
Simple and delicious, this Arugula Salad with Asian Pears has the perfect mix of bitter, sweet, creamy, tangy and crunchy. The combination of the sweet pear and tangy vinaigrette is a winner. And the crunch from the pistachios give this salad such a nice texture!
What are asian pears?
“Pyrus pyrifolia” is a species of pear tree native to East Asia, a.k.a. the Asian pear. Asian pears range in size from small to medium and vary in shape from round, globular, and squat, to oval with a bulbous base that tapers into a rounded top. The firm skin can be golden yellow, green, or bronze.
The flesh of the Asian pear is ivory to white and is crunchy, juicy, and creamy. When ripe, Asian pears are crisp with a sweet, floral flavor, low acidity, and a fragrant aroma. Asian pears are a good source of vitamin C, dietary fiber, and vitamin K.
This tangy lemon vinaigrette really complements the arugula salad with Asian pears. It’s tart and a bit spicy from the zesty lemon, Dijon mustard, ginger and red pepper flakes.
Steps to make this arugula and Asian pear salad
- Make the vinaigrette: In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, ginger, red pepper flakes, and Dijon mustard. Slowly whisk in the olive oil, then the salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
- Assemble the salad: Arrange the baby arugula at the bottom of a large salad bowl and toss in the cilantro and mint. Top with slices of pears, avocados, pistachios, and goat cheese crumbles. Drizzle the lemon vinaigrette over the salad and sprinkle with black sesame seeds. Serve the extra dressing on the side.
TIPS & TRICKS
- You can make the lemon vinaigrette the day before and store in the refrigerator when ready to serve.
- If you’re not a fan of arugula, use whatever lettuce you have on hand!
- Asian pears can be found at most gourmet grocery stores and at Asian markets. It can also be purchased on Amazon here.
- Can’t find Asian pears? Use Bosc pears instead!
- Don’t have black sesame seeds? No problem. Use toasted sesame seeds instead!
WANT MORE?
If you like this salad recipe, you’re going to want these recipes:
- Avocado Edamame Kale Salad
- Sweet Corn and Avocado Salad
- Asian-Inspired Summer Peach Salad
- Grilled Miso Shrimp Garden Salad
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Arugula Salad with Asian Pears and Lemon Vinaigrette
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Total Time: 15 min
- Yield: 6–8 1x
- Category: Salads
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
- Diet: Low Calorie
Description
This simple, tasty Arugula with Asian Pear Salad is topped with avocados, pistachios, goat cheese, and a tangy lemon vinaigrette. Perfect for lunch or dinner and ready in just 15 minutes!
Ingredients
5-ounce bag baby arugula
½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
½ cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
2 Asian pears, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
2 large avocados, pitted, peeled and thinly sliced
½ cup pistachio nuts, chopped
3 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
1 tablespoon black sesame seeds
For the vinaigrette:
Juice from 2 large lemons
1 teaspoon grated ginger
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
Pinch of salt and pepper
Instructions
Make the vinaigrette:
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, ginger, red pepper flakes, and Dijon mustard. Slowly whisk in the olive oil, then the salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
Assemble the salad:
Arrange the baby arugula at the bottom of a large salad bowl and toss in the cilantro and mint. Top with slices of pears, avocados, pistachios, and goat cheese crumbles. Drizzle the lemon vinaigrette over the salad and sprinkle with black sesame seeds. Serve the extra dressing on the side.
Notes
- You can make the lemon vinaigrette the day before and store in the refrigerator when ready to serve.
- If you’re not a fan of arugula, use whatever lettuce you have on hand!
- Asian pears can be found at most gourmet grocery stores and at Asian markets. It can also be purchased on Amazon here.
- Can’t find Asian pears? Use Bosc pears instead!
- Don’t have black sesame seeds? No problem. Use toasted sesame seeds instead!
Keywords: asian pear salad, pear salad with goat cheese, arugula and pear salad, arugula pear salad recipe
The arugula salad looks so tempting with the crunchy pears. I’m always looking for such easy recipes to make in hot summers.
★★★★★
This salad is so light and fresh, perfect for summer. It has such great flavors throughout. Hope you enjoy!
I saw this salad the other day and was interested in the idea of putting asian pears in it! I made this the other day and it was soo good. I will definitely make this again for sure!
★★★★★
We love this salad around here! I’m going to try sweet peaches next time for variation.
I absolute adore rocket and this is such a great flavour combination. Making this for dinner tonight.
The peppery flavor of the arugula (rocket) lettuce combined with the sweet pears is so delightful!
What a beautiful salad. I actually never had pears in salad before. I definitely need to be more creative when it comes to cooking with pears. I love how you paired it here with arugula. Thanks for sharing Lesli.
★★★★★
You should try the pears in salad. It’s surprisingly good! The tangy dressing puts this salad on top!
This salad was absolutely amazing. The flavours were splendid. So light and tasty and healthy too.
★★★★★
So glad you enjoyed this salad, Gerogina! It’s top of the list these days for salads in my house!
I LOVE Asian pears! I was just at H Mart the other day and bought some to snack on, but maybe I’ll make them into a meal instead. Awesome!
Love H-Mart! But I was able to find Asian pears at my local Kroger grocery store! I was pleasantly surprised!
Baby arugula is a wonderful salad green and that mild pepperiness always wakes me right up. Love the vinaigrette recipe, which looks light but with that mustardy tang.
★★★★★
I had fun making this salad. Threw on the goat cheese and avocado for some creaminess!
Omg this salad is so so delicious. I love all the flavors going in there. How gorgeous is this looking😍
★★★★★
We really love this one. The tangy dressing is really good with this salad!
What an incredible salad! The pears go perfectly with the arugula and I love the fresh flavors in this. Making this again for family.
★★★★★
The addition of the goat cheese and avocado gives this salad a creaminess too! Thanks so much!
What a simple, flavorful and refreshing salad recipe to try this summer. Thanks for sharing
★★★★★
Hope you enjoy! I know we did! Will be making this again and again.
I love arugula! This tasty salad is totally right up my alley. Love the fruity freshness from the Asian pears!
★★★★★
We really loved this one. It has a great combo of flavors and it’s so light and delish for summer!
I love everything in this salad!! It’s so fresh and perfect for a summer day! Pictures are beautiful too!
★★★★★
Thank you, Sondra! I enjoyed the combo of peppery arugula, sweet pears, and creamy goat cheese!
This is such a beautiful looking salad! I actually have a small pear tree in my garden, not Asian pears but very similar. On my to make list in the next few days!
★★★★★
Any pears will do just fine in this salad! Aren’t you lucky to have a nice fruit tree in your garden!
I don’t know why more recipe writers don’t make salads with arugula. It’s my favorite salad green and your combining it with pears is ingenious.
★★★★★
Thanks, Marta! We eat a lot of arugula around here. Love the pepperiness of the greens and the sweetness from the pears.
Wow! Such a wonderful salad recipe. The color itself tells us that this is definitely a very healthy theme salad, the presentation is mesmerizing. Thanks for sharing such an awesome salad recipe.
★★★★★
That’s so kind of you to say, Amy! I had fun composing this tasty salad, and even more fun eating!
What a delicious looking salad, I love the pepperiness of rocket and I bet it goes so well with the lemon vinaigrette, time to go and find some Asian pears.
★★★★★
The combo of flavors in this salad are really great. I love a lemon vinaigrette on most salads!
I love this fresh, crisy salad! It has all the flavour elements and the pistachios are a perfect addition. Will be making this again!
★★★★★
So glad you like this! It’s my go-to salad lately.
I love Asian pears, but never thought to put them in a salad. Such a simple, yet flavorful salad!
★★★★★
Thanks, Maria! The combo of sweet Asian pears with the bitter arugula is so good!
I love asian pears and they are so delicious in this arugula salad! What a refreshing recipe!
Thanks so much, Emily! I do love this summer salad!
This salad looks so fresh and delicious! Love that you add some chili flakes in the vinaigrette.
★★★★★
I always like to have a dash of spice! Sweet, salty, bitter, and slightly spicy!
What a beautiful salad with tons of delicious flavor. I love how much herbs you have here, can’t be enough! I’ll be making it soon, let’s hope the Asian grocery store has these lovely pears 🙂
★★★★★
I actually picked up the Asian pears at my local Kroger grocery store! I was surprised they had them, but delighted they did! You can use regular Bosc pears if you can’t find them. Emjoy!
I love a good arugula salad and this one is perfect! Love the Asian pears and the goat cheese combo. Can’t wait to make this!
★★★★★
I’m with you, Pam! I love peppery arugula and all the goodies on top! These Asian pears are amazing!