Apple Pear Salad with Lemon Poppyseed Dressing is the perfect combination of flavors and textures. It’s sweet, salty, crunchy, and delicious!
I NEVER used to eat salad as a meal. The salad was a side dish that started the meal. That is until I started eating salads like this Apple Pear Salad with Lemon Poppyseed dressing.
I don’t want a salad as a meal to feel like a punishment. You know, the salads you prepare once you’ve gone on a calorie binge for a week? Just me?
I want a salad like this Apple salad. It’s stuffed with fresh apple and pear and doesn’t stop there. Salty Swiss cheese, cashews, and craisins are added to the mix and all topped with a sweet tangy Lemon Poppyseed dressing.
When I have a salad like this Apple Salad Recipe I can walk away satisfied without feeling weighed down followed by the inevitable food coma that zaps any momentum that I had before my meal.
Apple Pear Salad variations
Make this salad your own. I can’t think of a soul that wouldn’t like the Lemon Poppyseed dressing. Drizzle it on your own creation. Here are a few ideas:
- Bacon – add it and don’t look back. Everything’s better with bacon right?
- Use any cheese you like. I like shredding my own because I think it tastes fresher. A time saver is buying pre-shredded.
- Use all apples or pears or any fresh fruit you want. I do recommend using fresh fruit and cutting right before you want to eat the salad, Fresh cut fruit doesn’t look very pretty if you try and do it too far ahead of time.
- Add chicken or turkey for a boost of protein.
- Cashews can be replaced with any nut. Walnuts and almonds can help you feel full.
- Lemon Poppyseed dressing, not your thing? How about a delicious Balsamic Vinaigrette?
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A few items you may need to make this Apple Pear Salad recipe:
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- Salad Spinner – The bag says triple washed yet people still get sick from eating contaminated lettuce. I wash and spin dry all my lettuce. It removes bugs from organic produce and extra dirt that doesn’t like to rinse off too. I use it for fruit, herbs, and greens.
- Salad Dressing Shaker – I like this one because I can mix, store, and serve all from the same container. I have two of them because I often have more than one kind of dressing mixed up.
- Salad Serving Bowl – Even if it’s just family, I love serving salad from a beautiful bowl. This bowl is great for snacks such as popcorn too which makes it perfect for the next party!
If you like this recipe, please comment below and leave me a 5-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review! Here are a few more recipes I think you’ll love!
- Chicken Pear Salad with Goat Cheese
- Popeye Approved Vegetarian Spinach Power Salad
- Honey Yogurt Parfait with Pears and Granola
- Peg’s Salad – Italian Raw Veggie Salad
- Warm Goat Cheese Salad
Apple Pear Salad with Lemon Poppyseed Dressing
Ingredients
Dressing
- 1/2 cup white granulated sugar you can substitute with honey
- 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice 1½-2 lemons
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 3 green onions chopped (white and green parts)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp poppy seeds
- 2/3 cups vegetable oil or canola (neutral) oil
Salad
- 2 heads Lettuce greens of your choice torn to bite-size pieces
- 1 cup cashews lightly chopped
- ½ cup craisins
- 1 apple diced
- 1 pear cubed
- 1 cup Swiss cheese shredded
Instructions
- Combine dressing ingredients and mix well. Right before serving, combine salad ingredients and drizzle with dressing. Reserve any extra dressing in the refrigerator for future use.
Nutrition
What is your favorite salad? Please share by leaving us a comment below. You are our inspiration!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for spending some time with me today!
Jennifer A Stewart says
My grandma used to make pear salads all the time but this one blows her out of the water!
Julie Menghini says
Poor G-ma LOL! Thank you, Jennifer!
Lisa Hitzeman says
This salad is absolutely awesome! It has so much flavor going on and it’s perfect as a main dish!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you, Lisa!
Sandra Shaffer says
Hearty salads are the best meals for me to pack up and eat for my lunch on the go! I kept the dressing separate and add just before eating. The Swiss cheese really compliments the flavors in this apple pear salad! Will definitely be making again.
Julie Menghini says
I agree, Sandra! Thank you!
Deb Clark says
The dressing looks just fantastic, I love making my own! Lovely salad – on the menu this week!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you, Deb!
michel says
I had so many pears from the farmers market it was an easy way to use them up! The poppyseed dressing was delightful with the sweetness of the pears! Thank you
Julie Menghini says
Thank you Michele!
Michaela Kenkel says
The lemon poppyseed dressing paired perfectly with the other flavors of this salad! We will be making again and again!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you, Michaela!
Brandi Burgess says
This salad is a MUST TRY!!!! Love that homemade dressing!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you Brani!
Malissa says
I really enjoyed this salad. Who would have thought that the combinations of ingredients would compliment each other so well? Very light and refreshing. Will make again.
Julie Menghini says
Thank you so much Malissa!