Spinach Salad with Candied Pears Pecans and Brie

Elevate your salad game with this Spinach Salad with Candied Pears, Pecans, and Brie—an irresistible combination of sweet, savory, and creamy flavors. Tender baby spinach is layered with luscious caramelized pears, crunchy sugar-coated pecans, and velvety Brie cheese for a gourmet touch. A homemade honey-balsamic vinaigrette ties it all together, balancing the rich, nutty, and fruity notes in every bite. Perfect as an elegant starter or a light main dish, this salad comes together in just 25 minutes, making it ideal for both weeknight meals and special occasions. Bursting with seasonal flavors and gourmet flair, this recipe is sure to impress!

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 6 cups Baby spinach
• 1 large Ripe pear
• 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons Brown sugar
• 1 cup Pecan halves
• 4 ounces Brie cheese
• 3 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Honey
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 0.25 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Ground black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Wash and dry the baby spinach thoroughly, then place it in a large salad bowl.

Step 2

Slice the pear into thin wedges and set aside.

Step 3

In a small skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the brown sugar and stir until it dissolves, about 1-2 minutes.

Step 4

Add the pear slices to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until lightly caramelized. Remove the pears from the skillet and set them aside to cool slightly.

Step 5

Using the same skillet, add the pecans and toss them in any remaining sugar mixture. Toast the pecans for 2-3 minutes until lightly golden and aromatic. Transfer them to a parchment-lined plate to cool.

Step 6

Cut the Brie cheese into small wedges or chunks and set aside.

Step 7

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper to make the vinaigrette.

Step 8

Assemble the salad by layering the spinach, candied pears, toasted pecans, and Brie cheese in the salad bowl.

Step 9

Drizzle the honey-balsamic vinaigrette over the salad just before serving and gently toss to combine.

Step 10

Serve immediately and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(744.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2077.0

Total Fat 180.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 46.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.9g
Cholesterol 175.4mg	0%
Sodium 1577.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 99.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.3g	0%
Total Sugars 70.1g
Protein 39.4g	0%

Vitamin D 22.7IU	0%
Calcium 519.8mg	0%
Iron 10.2mg	0%
Potassium 974.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 74.5%

Protein: 7.2%

Carbs: 18.3%