Kale and Pear Salad Recipe

Name: Kale and Pear Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 6 cups kale (chopped); 1 pear (sliced); 1 cup blueberries; 1/2 cup pecans; ¼ cup pumpkin seeds; 2 lemons (juiced, about 1/4 cup); ¼ cup+ 1 teaspoon olive oil; 1/8 teaspoon salt; 2 cloves garlic (minced); 2 teaspoon Dijon mustard; 1 teaspoon honey

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This kale and pear salad recipe is a delicious and hearty salad, loaded with tender kale greens, fresh fruits, and a 5-minute honey lemon vinaigrette dressing! It takes just 15 minutes to make, and is a fantastic weeknight side dish the whole family will love.

This recipe uses a simple no-cook technique to make the kale super tender with a great texture. I added in fresh pecans and blueberries, but you can add in your favorite fruits or nuts (see our suggestions below)!

Want more seasonal plat-based salad ideas? Try our burrata salad with apples and honey, our crunchy Thai chickpea salad, and our favorite Mediterranean arugula salad!

kale and pear salad with blueberries and nuts in a bowl with homemade dressing

Table of Contents

If you’re looking for a delicious fall salads with kale, this pear and kale salad is the best and tastiest way tto get your greens in! We make this kale salad all the time – and swap in whatever fresh fruits or vegetables we have on hand to make it seasonal.

And it takes just 5 minutes to make the easiest vinaigrette dressing, giving the salad an amazing flavor in each bite. And I love the combination of fruits and kale together – it gives each bite a wonderful sweetness and great taste. And I love adding a few varieties of nuts for crunch and texture.

Why This Recipe Works

This salad is super flavorful, light, refreshing, and hearty.
A great side dish or appetizer that goes with almost any meal!
Got kale? This salad is a wonderful way to use up extra garden greens.
You can make this delicious vinaigrette dressing in just 5 minutes.
Anyone can successfully make this salad by following our step-by-step photos and directions below!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Be sure to visit the recipe card below for full ingredient amounts and recipe instructions!

There are a few different varieties of kale you can find at the grocery store. I used classic curly kale, which is thick and green, and has a dense texture. There is also dark green dinosaur kale (or lacinato kale) which is straighter, and red kale, which has a deep red or purple color. Any of these kale varieties works well, so choose the one you prefer most.

I like adding fresh sliced pears and blueberries into this salad for extra sweetness and beautiful color. Adding fruit to this salad is a great way to get some wonderful natural sweetness in your salads without adding sugar.

I also like to add some seeds and nuts for crunch! I like pumpkin seeds, which are also called pepitas. You can usually find them roasted and unsalted in most grocery stores! I also added some pecans for color and a sweet nutty flavor.

And for the dressing, I make a super quick homemade vinaigrette with fresh lemon, Dijon mustard, garlic, olive oil, and a little bit of honey for extra sweetness.

Additions and Substitutions

For a vegan version, use maple syrup or agave nectar in place of the honey.

You can use any nuts or seeds in this salad. I used pumpkin seeds and pecans but you can use walnuts, sliced almonds, hemp hearts, or sunflower seeds.

Add in your favorite seasonal fruits – if pears or blueberries aren’t in season, use what is! Apples, peaches, strawberries, cantaloupe, berries, watermelon, or mango would all be great choices.

How To Make Kale Salad With Pears

a bowl of kale massaged with olive oil for a low sodium salad idea

Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, add the chopped kale and the 1 teaspoon olive oil and 1/8 teaspoon of salt. With your hands, massage the kale and olive oil together for about 5 minutes until the kale becomes soft and tender.

a bowl of massaged kale with sliced pears to make a salad

Step 2: Place the kale in a bowl, and top with the sliced pears.

a kale salad with pears, blueberries, and pecans for a hearty fall kale salad with fruit

Step 3: Add the blueberries, pecans, and pumpkin seeds to the salad.

a jar of apple cider vinegar salad dressing with dijon mustard and honey

Step 4: In a bowl or a small jar, add the lemon juice, the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, and chopped garlic. Stir well to combine.

honey lemon dijon salad dressing over a fall kale salad with berries and pears and pecans

Step 5: Pour the dressing over the salad, and toss well to combine.

kale and pear salad with berries and nuts fall harvest salad ideas with kale

Step 5: Serve immediately, and enjoy!

Recipe FAQs

What’s the best dressing for kale salad?

The quick 5-minute vinaigrette is made with fresh lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, garlic, and a little honey for sweetness. You could use a bottled dressing if you prefer, but fresh is quick, easy, and SO good!

How to store leftover salad

This kale salad recipe is best fresh, but it does last for up to 1 day in the refrigerator. Store in an airtight container and make sure to toss well before enjoying a second time as the dressing may settle in the bottom of the container.

Can I add protein to this salad?

Absolutely, adding protein is a great way to make this salad into a full meal. You can add in canned chickpeas (or another type of bean), marinated tofu, or tempeh.

a pear and kale salad with peans and blueberries in a bowl, delicious and beautiful fall salad ideas

More Seasonal Salad Ideas with Fruits

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