Name: The Perfect 15-Minute Salad with Pears, Toasted Nuts, and Vegan Goat Cheese Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 cups tender baby greens, torn into bite-sized pieces; 3 cups chicories of choice, torn into bite-sized pieces; 1 ½ teaspoons olive oil; 1 teaspoon lemon juice; 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar (or sub champagne vinegar or white wine vinegar); Flaky sea salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste; 1 small-medium Asian or Bosc pear, core removed, thinly sliced; 1/4 cup toasted pepitas (or chopped hazelnuts or slivered almonds); Vegan goat cheese (optional)

Jump to Recipe· 4.3 from 183 reviews

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If you’re craving a vibrant, fresh salad that comes together in a flash yet delivers layers of flavor and texture, you have to try The Perfect 15-Minute Salad with Pears, Toasted Nuts, and Vegan Goat Cheese Recipe. This delightful mix of tender baby greens, crisp chicories, juicy pear slices, crunchy toasted nuts, and creamy vegan goat cheese is a celebration of simple ingredients coming together in perfect harmony. It’s light yet indulgent, fresh but satisfying, and ideal for those moments when you want to serve something impressive without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A dark round pan with a light blue handle and wooden grip holds a single layer of mixed seeds and nuts, mainly green pumpkin seeds and light brown hazelnuts, some whole and some halved, scattered unevenly inside the pan. Nearby, an orange cloth sits next to the pan’s handle on a white marbled surface. To the left side, a lemon wedge with bright yellow skin and juicy interior appears partially in the frame. The background is a soft beige tone that contrasts with the pan and the seeds photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Every ingredient here plays a starring role, blending fresh, sweet, nutty, and tangy notes that bring this salad to life. The simplicity of each element is what makes this dish truly shine, giving you a beautiful balance of flavors and textures that your taste buds will adore.

Baby greens (6 cups): Tender and delicate, these form a soft, leafy base that soaks up the dressing beautifully.
Chicories (3 cups): Slightly bitter and crisp, they add complexity and a lovely crunch contrast.
Olive oil (1 ½ tsp): Adds richness and helps to lightly coat the greens, making every bite silky smooth.
Lemon juice (1 tsp): Brings a burst of brightness that lifts the entire salad.
Apple cider vinegar (1 tsp): Adds a subtle sweetness and tang, perfectly balancing the flavors.
Flaky sea salt & freshly ground black pepper: Seasoning essentials that enhance every ingredient’s natural taste.
Asian or Bosc pear (1 small-medium): Sweet, juicy slices that provide a refreshing, crisp bite.
Toasted pepitas (¼ cup): Or substitute with chopped hazelnuts or slivered almonds for a nutty crunch and a toasty aroma.
Vegan goat cheese: Optional but highly recommended for a creamy, tangy contrast that feels indulgent yet plant-based.

How to Make The Perfect 15-Minute Salad with Pears, Toasted Nuts, and Vegan Goat Cheese Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Vegan Goat Cheese (Optional but Worth It!)

If you want to add that extra layer of decadence, make your vegan goat cheese at least 30 minutes ahead so it can set properly. This step isn’t a must, especially if you’re pairing the salad with something already rich and creamy, but it truly elevates the dish to something special.

Step 2: Toast Your Nuts or Pepitas

Nothing beats the smell of nuts toasting in a skillet. Heat a small pan over low to medium heat and toast your pepitas until they pop and puff up like tiny delightful surprises, about 3-5 minutes. If opting for hazelnuts or almonds, toast for 6-10 minutes until golden and fragrant. Don’t forget to stir occasionally to avoid burning and chop larger nuts roughly afterward for perfect bite-sized pieces.

Step 3: Build Your Salad Base

Grab a large serving bowl and combine the tender baby greens with your chicories. The contrast between the soft leaves and the slightly bitter chicories gives the salad a beautiful depth. Now drizzle the olive oil, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar over the greens. Sprinkle the flaky sea salt crushed gently between your fingers and add freshly ground black pepper. Toss everything gently but thoroughly to coat the leaves evenly. Taste as you go and adjust seasoning or acidity for a perfect balance—you know your palate best!

Step 4: Add Pears and Nuts

Fold in the thinly sliced pears and toasted pepitas (or your preferred nuts), tossing just a couple of times. This step lightly combines all the textures without bruising the delicate pear slices, preserving that irresistible crispness.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Right before sending it to the table, scatter the creamy, tangy vegan goat cheese across the top of your salad. Add an extra grind of fresh black pepper if you like a little peppery kick. This fresh, vibrant salad is at its absolute best enjoyed immediately.

How to Serve The Perfect 15-Minute Salad with Pears, Toasted Nuts, and Vegan Goat Cheese Recipe

A white bowl filled with fresh salad leaves showing two main layers: the bottom mostly light green smooth lettuce leaves and the top showing rough-textured dark red and green leaves. A woman's hand holds a small white cup with a golden yellow liquid at the bottom left corner of the image, and another woman's hand holds a white spoon above the salad, dripping the same golden liquid over the greens. The scene is set on a white marbled surface with bright lighting, and there are scattered coarse salt crystals in a black spoon and lemon halves nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

For an added pop of color and flavor, sprinkle some finely chopped fresh herbs like parsley or chives. A few edible flower petals can make this salad truly eye-catching at a dinner party, turning your simple greens into a gourmet experience.

Side Dishes

This salad pairs wonderfully with a hearty grain bowl, warm roasted vegetables, or even a slice of crusty artisan bread. Its crisp freshness and creamy components make it a fantastic partner to bold mains like grilled portobello mushrooms or lentil patties.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve this salad in individual glass bowls to showcase the vibrant layers or arrange it on a large wooden board with the greens at the center and nuts and vegan goat cheese artistically scattered on top. You can even add thin slices of pear along the edges for an elegant touch that will wow your guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you want to enjoy leftovers, store the salad components separately. Keep the greens and chicories in one container, sliced pears in another (you can sprinkle them with a little lemon juice to prevent browning), nuts in a dry container, and vegan goat cheese stored airtight in the fridge. Combine everything fresh to maintain that crisp texture.

Freezing

This salad is not suitable for freezing because the delicate greens and fresh pears will lose their texture and become mushy upon thawing. Keep it fresh for best flavor and texture.

Reheating

No reheating needed here—this salad is meant to be enjoyed fresh and crisp. Warming it will wilt the greens and dull the bright flavors that make it so irresistible.

FAQs

Can I use other types of greens?

Absolutely! This salad is versatile. Feel free to swap in your favorite greens like arugula, spinach, or even kale if you massage it a bit to soften it.

What if I don’t have vegan goat cheese?

No worries! The salad is delicious on its own or with any creamy vegan cheese alternative. You can even omit the cheese entirely for a lighter version.

Can I prepare this salad ahead of time for a party?

Yes, but only assembly should be done just before serving. Prepare and store components separately, then toss everything together just before your guests arrive to keep the salad fresh and vibrant.

Are there good alternatives to pear?

Definitely. Crisp apples like Fuji or Honeycrisp work wonderfully too, adding a similar sweet crunch without losing the balance of flavors.

How do I store leftover toasted nuts?

Keep toasted nuts in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge to maintain their crunch and flavor for several days.

Final Thoughts

You really can’t go wrong with The Perfect 15-Minute Salad with Pears, Toasted Nuts, and Vegan Goat Cheese Recipe. It’s bright, quick, and utterly delicious—a perfect companion to any meal or a worthy star on its own. I encourage you to try it soon. You might just find this to be your new favorite go-to salad that impresses every time!

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