This arugula apple pear salad with pistachios and aged cheese is fresh, peppery, and just a little sweet. The dressing of mustard and olive oil ties it all together - simple, colorful, and perfect as a quick lunch or side dish.
In One Glance
- 🥬 Recipe name: Arugula Apple Pear Salad
- 🕒 Total time: 10 minutes
- 👨👩👧👦 Servings: 4 persons
- ⚡ Calories: about 255 kcal per serving
- 🍏 Main ingredients: arugula, apple, pear, pistachios, cherry tomatoes, aged cheese
- 😋 Taste: fresh, sweet, nutty, peppery
- 🧀 Allergens: milk, nuts, mustard. Free from gluten, soy, shellfish, celery, sesame, peanuts, crustaceans, fish, eggs.
- 💚 Why make it: quick, colorful, and full of flavor
- 🥄 Difficulty: easy - no cooking, just chopping and mixing
Jump to:
Fresh Pear And Apple Arugula Salad
After the sweetness of a good chocolate tiramisu, it's nice to have something fresh to balance things out. This salad is exactly that - light, crisp, and full of flavor.
I made it on a chilly afternoon during an Italian-themed cooking night. Outside it was windy and grey - even hailing for a bit! The kind of weather that makes you want to stay in the kitchen, where it's warm and smells like olive oil and roasted nuts.
While the sky turned dark, we chopped apples and pears, toasted pistachios, and mixed mustard into the dressing. When I took the first bite - sweet pear, tart apple, peppery arugula, and that salty aged cheese - it was one of those wow moments. Every bite is different: crunchy, soft, sweet, and savory all at once.
What Do You Need?
You can find the exact amounts in the recipe card below.
Salad
- Arugula: Peppery and fresh, the base of your salad. Wash it well and dry it gently.
- Apple: A tart Granny Smith gives a nice contrast - or try Pink Lady for a sweeter twist.
- Pear: Use a ripe one for a soft bite; a firmer pear adds crunch.
- Pistachios: Nutty and crisp; you can swap for walnuts or pecans. Toast them for extra flavor.
- Cherry tomatoes: Juicy, colorful, and slightly sweet- they brighten up the plate.
- Aged cheese: Adds saltiness and depth; Parmesan, Grana Padano, or aged Gouda all work.
Dressing
- Balsamic vinegar: Brings a mild sweetness. White balsamic also works.
- Olive oil: Smooth and rich; extra virgin is best.
- Mustard: Gives a tangy kick; Dijon or wholegrain both work well.
- Salt and pepper: To taste, balancing all the flavors.
How to Prepare
You can find the full step-by-step instructions in the recipe card below.
- Step 1: Make the dressing: Mix balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and mustard. Season with salt and pepper.
- Step 2: Prepare the base: Wash and dry the arugula, then place it in a large bowl. Add the quartered tomatoes. Add the fruit: Dice the apple and pear into small cubes.
- Step 3: Assemble the salad: Add the dressing and toss everything together.
- Step 4: Then top with pistachios and grated cheese.
Top Tip
- Toast the pistachios for extra crunch and aroma.
- Add a few dried cranberries for more sweetness.
- Want it more filling? Add grilled chicken or some couscous.
- Make the dressing in a small jar - just shake it up, super easy.
Did you make this delicious recipe? Tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram! I love to see what your creation looks like and regularly share the most beautiful photos of you! Did you like this recipe? Then leave a rating on the recipe card! Your feedback helps other home cooks and me enormously.
Need more inspiration?
- You can find video recipes on my YouTube channel.
- And don't forget to save the recipes on Pinterest, so you can easily find them again next time!
📖 Recipe
RECIPE CARD
Ingredients
Salad
- 7 oz. arugula
- ½ granny smith
- ½ pear
- 5 cherry tomatoes, quartered
- ⅔ cup pistachios, coarsely chopped
- ¼ cup aged cheese, grated
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- salt and pepper, at taste
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
Instructions
Salad
- Wash the arugula and dry it well.7 oz. arugula
- Peel the pear, remove the seeds, and cut into cubes. Wash the apple, remove the core, and dice it.½ granny smith, ½ pear
Dressing
- In a small bowl, mix the vinegar, olive oil, and mustard.2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon mustard
- Season the dressing with salt and pepper.salt and pepper
Assembling salad
- Place the arugula in a large bowl. Add the tomatoes, apple, and pear.5 cherry tomatoes
- Pour over the dressing and toss gently.
- Sprinkle with pistachios and grated cheese before serving.⅔ cup pistachios, ¼ cup aged cheese
Notes
- Hearty version: Add grilled chicken or crispy bacon.
- Italian touch: Mix in sun-dried tomatoes and use Parmesan cheese.
- Quick lunch: Serve with toasted bread or focaccia.
Nutrition
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