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    Home » Recipe Index » Appetizers

    Spinach Salad with Roasted Pears and Oranges

    October 28, 2020 Updated October 13, 2022 By Rebecca Appetizers, Salads, Side Dishes, Vegetarian Dishes

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    pouring dressing on roasted pear salad with text overlay
    plate with spinach, orange slices, and roasted pears on it, with text overlay

    This spinach salad with roasted pears is bursting with fall flavors and is made in under 30 minutes, including roasting the pears. These roasted pears would also be delicious on this Pear, Prosciutto, and Arugula Flatbread Pizza.

    plate with spinach, orange slices, and roasted pears on it surrounded by ingredients

    [This salad with roasted pears recipe was originally posted in October 2020. It has been updated with new cooking instructions, expert tips, FAQ, related recipes, and ways to repurpose/use up ingredients]

    Table of contents

    • How will this roasted pear salad make your life easier?
    • What makes this pear salad recipe so good?
    • How to make pear salad with fresh pears?
    • Substitutions/Tips
    • FAQ
    • What can I make with leftover ingredients?

    How will this roasted pear salad make your life easier?

    Since I cook for one, I'm all about quick dinners or special ingredients that can be used in a few recipes. This salad with roasted pears is both. You can roast extra pears to eat with vanilla ice cream or put on this Pear & Prosciutto Pizza.

    This salad is also versatile because you can have it as an easy side to swap with the ones in this easy Pan Fried Pork Chop or Maple Mustard Salmon. You can also add simple grilled chicken, pork, salmon, tofu, or edamame.

    What makes this pear salad recipe so good?

    • Bartlett pear
    • Butter
    • Baby spinach
    • Navel orange
    • Hemp hearts or chopped nuts or sunflower seeds
    • Olive oil
    • Red wine vinegar
    • Parmesan cheese (optional)

    How to make pear salad with fresh pears?

    four slices of pear on a cutting board

    Start your salad with roasted pears by roasting the pears: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place butter and sprinkle salt into saucepan. Place in oven until butter melts. Slice pear into quarters. Cut seeds out of pear slices.

    four slice of pear in a small saucepan

    Remove pan from oven and place each slice of pear into butter-sliced side down. Then place other sliced side down in butter. Return to oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until sliced sides become caramelized.

    orange slices on a cutting board

    While pears are roasting, prepare salad and dressing: Start by slicing navel orange. Slice in half, then slice ½ into sections. Peel peel off of each section, and remove pith. Place baby spinach on serving plate, top with oranges, hemp hearts.

    salad dressing in a small glass bowl

    Make vinaigrette by pouring olive oil and red wine vinegar into a small mixing bowl. Then season with salt and pepper to taste (start with about ⅛ teaspoon of each). Taste and adjust to your preference.

    Remove pears from oven, they're done when caramelized on the bottom. Transfer to salad, dress with vinaigrette and enjoy immediately. Top your salad with roasted pears with shaved parmesan if desired.

    Substitutions/Tips

    • Use a slightly ripe Bartlett pear for tender pears in your salad with roasted pears! If your pear is too ripe, it may get too soft/fall apart in the oven.
    • Swap the spinach for other greens like kale, arugula, or mixed greens.
    • I add the hemp hearts for a nice crunch. You can swap them with sliced/chopped nuts, sunflower seeds, or flax seeds. Just something to add some texture to the salad.
    • Make this a simple full meal by cooking a chicken breast with the pears. You can also add a pork chop, tofu, or salmon to the salad. Croutons or crusty bread is definitely a great addition too!
    • I've made this salad with roasted pears with and without the parmesan cheese. It's a great addition, but great without it too!
    • Other great add-ins: Chopped nuts, grapefruit, broccoli, goat cheese, etc.

    FAQ

    Can pears be roasted?

    Yes, you'll find roasted pears in this salad with roasted pears. They're roasted in butter and salt to bring out the sweet, savory flavors of the pears. I recommend choosing a slightly ripe pear so it'll hold up when cooked.

    What are the best pears for salad?

    Bartlett pears are often used in salads. They get really nice and soft, plus they taste really great and sweet. Their skin isn't too thick and mealy too. Bartlett pears are what I've tested this salad recipe with, so that's what I recommend.

    You can try your salad with whatever pears you have, this salad with roasted pears is great with Bartlett pears. They'll all taste a bit different, but it's better to use what you have on hand instead of have to buy new ingredients.

    What months are pears in season?

    Pear season is usually August-October. Many are grown in Washington, Oregon, and California. But I've been able to get great local Utah pears during the late summer/early fall. So try local pears if you have them too!

    Why are my pears so hard?

    Don't worry if you bought Bartlett pears and they're hard. They just need a day or a couple to ripen at room temperature. If you want your pears to last longer, store them in the fridge. They'll be perfect for your salad with roasted pears in no time.

    pouring dressing on roasted pear salad

    What can I make with leftover ingredients?

    • Spinach: Spinach Strawberry Salad, Thai Inspired Beef and Sauteed Spinach, Easy Pistachio Pesto Sauce.
    • Oranges: Spinach & Mandarin Orange Salad (swap mandarines for navel orange) or in the topping on this Gingerbread Pound Cake.

    Did you make this salad with roasted pears? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!

    light blue plate with spinach, orange slices, and roasted pears on it
    Print Pin
    5 from 4 votes

    Spinach Salad with Roasted Pears and Oranges

    This spinach salad with roasted pears and oranges is bursting with fall flavors and is made in under 30 minutes, including roasting the pears. The sweet pears and oranges are elevated with a tangy red wine vinegar based salad dressing to make this an easy and flavor packed side salad.
    Course Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 20 minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes
    Servings 1 person
    Author Rebecca

    Equipment

    • Small oven-safe saucepan
    • knife
    • small mixing bowl
    • fork
    • Measuring Cups
    • Measuring Spoons

    Ingredients

    • 1 Bartlett pear slightly firm
    • 1 teaspoon butter
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt
    • 2 cups baby spinach
    • ½ navel orange
    • 1 teaspoon hemp hearts or chopped nuts or sunflower seeds
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1.5 tablespoons red wine vinegar
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • shaved parmesan cheese (optional)

    Instructions

    • Roast the pears: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place 1 teaspoon of butter and sprinkle ⅛ teaspoon salt into saucepan. Place in oven until butter melts. Slice pear into quarters. Cut seeds out of pear slices.
    • Remove pan from oven and place each slice of pear into butter-sliced side down. Then place other sliced side down in butter. Return to oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until sliced sides become caramelized.
    • While pears are roasting, prepare salad and dressing: Start by slicing ½ orange. Slice in half, then slice ½ into sections. Peel peel off of each section, and remove as much pith as desired. Place 2 c baby spinach leaves on serving plate, top with sliced oranges and 1 teaspoon hemp hearts.
    • Make vinaigrette by pouring 1 T olive oil and 1.5 T red wine vinegar into a small mixing bowl. Then season with salt and pepper to taste (start with about ⅛ teaspoon of each). Taste and adjust to your preference.
    • Remove pears from oven, they're done when caramelized on the bottom. Transfer to salad, dress with vinaigrette and enjoy immediately. Top with shaved parmesan if desired.

    Video

    Roasted Pear and Orange Salad

    Notes

    • Use a slightly ripe Bartlett pear for best results! If your pear is too ripe, it may get too soft/fall apart in the oven.
    • I add the hemp hearts for a nice crunch. You can swap them with sliced/chopped nuts, sunflower seeds, or flax seeds. Just something to add some texture to the salad.
    • Make this a simple full meal by cooking a chicken breast with the pears. You can also add a pork chop, tofu, or salmon to the salad. Croutons or crusty bread is definitely a great addition too!
    • I've made this salad with and without the parmesan cheese. It's a great addition, but great without it too!

    Want to get more single serving recipes like this salad with roasted pears delivered to your inbox? Click here to download my Single Serving Cookbook.

    Recipes are great, but you’ll need a simple 3 step process to create a meal plan that make cooking easy & helps you stop wasting food. Check out this expertly developed meal planning guide to get started. 

    More Appetizers

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    About Rebecca

    Welcome! I’m Rebecca, a food loving dietitian. On Nourish Nutrition, you’ll find real, quick, and nourishing recipes for one that'll get you to want to cook for yourself, because you deserve it.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Noelle Simpson says

      October 28, 2020 at 1:46 pm

      5 stars
      Yum! this made for the perfect lunch, light and refreshing!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        October 29, 2020 at 1:07 pm

        great to hear

        Reply
    2. Cate says

      October 28, 2020 at 1:51 pm

      So fresh and tasty! 🙂 Love this to brighten up these shorter days, and perfect for meal prepping!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        October 29, 2020 at 1:07 pm

        exactly!

        Reply
    3. Katie says

      October 28, 2020 at 2:30 pm

      5 stars
      This looks amazing! Can't wait to try it.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        October 29, 2020 at 1:07 pm

        LMK how it turns out

        Reply
    4. Alina says

      October 28, 2020 at 2:31 pm

      5 stars
      I've never tried to roast and combine pears with oranges. This is my tasting list! So simple and not boring for sure.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        October 29, 2020 at 1:07 pm

        exactly! I love simple recipes that pack in the flavor

        Reply
    5. Shadi Hasanzadenemati says

      October 28, 2020 at 2:42 pm

      5 stars
      I was looking for a recipe like this, thank you for sharing!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        October 29, 2020 at 1:06 pm

        great to hear

        Reply

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    At Nourish Nutrition, you'll find bold, flavorful recipes for one. Most are single serving, and all have suggestions to use up the leftover ingredients so you can stop throwing away unused ingredients & leftovers!

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