This Radicchio Salad with Pear and Blue Cheese is one of my favorite cool-season or winter salads to make. I’m a big fan of bitter greens—my Bitter Green Caesar Salad, Grilled Radicchio and Plum Salad, Pink Radicchio and Crab Caesar Salad, the list goes on—and this one fits the bill perfectly. It starts with a bed of sliced radicchio, topped with crunchy and sweet pears (plus Asian pears when I can find them). And don’t forget the salty, briny olives, funky-creamy blue cheese, and my favorite sweet and savory walnut salad dressing.
This salad is all about balance. There are quite a few bold flavors going on, but once you get everything in one bite, it’s magic. Sweet, savory, bitter, crunchy—it’s all there. What I’m saying is, it’s very good. So good you should make it. Ok, now onto the recipe below…
This salad is all about balance. There are quite a few bold flavors going on, but once you get everything in one bite, it’s magic. Sweet, savory, bitter, crunchy—it’s all there.
Radicchio Salad with Pear and Blue Cheese
This radicchio salad is all about balancing those flavors—the bitter radicchio, sweet pears, creamy blue cheese, and those briny olives—all tied together with a luscious, sweet and savory walnut dressing. It’s a delicious, Italian-inspired salad that works beautifully as a side dish or a light, easy meal. Whether you’re a fan of Mediterranean radicchio salads or looking for a new way to enjoy these seasonal bitter greens, this recipe is super simple and oh-so-satisfying.
Why You Gonna Love This Salad
- The flavor combo: The combination of bitter, sweet, salty, and creamy is such a great combo in each and every bite.
- Easy to prepare: There’s minimal chopping and assembly required—just plate, dress and serve!
- Perfect for winter: Radicchio and pears are at their peak in the colder months, making this a great option for a delicious winter salad.
- Switch it up: Serve this salad as a side or top it with grilled chicken, tinned Italian tuna or even some hearty white beans.
Ingredients You’ll Need to Make this Radicchio Pear Salad
- Radicchio – The base of this salad. Slightly bitter, crunchy and adds lots of gorgeous color.
- Asian pear – Optional but highly recommended. Asian pears were available and in season, so I grabbed one to put in this salad. They add lots of sweetness and some great crunch to the salad. You can always add in extra pear, or even apple if you can’t find one.
- Pear – You can used a Bartlett, conference, or any other variety you like.
- Olives – Castelvetrano, Kalamata, green or black olives all work. I recommend getting olives with pits, and removing them yourself.
- Blue cheese – I used a Point Reyes blue cheese for this recipe, but Gorgonzola, Roquefort, or Stilton all work beautifully. You want something creamy, tangy, and bold. If you’re not a big fan of blue cheese you can substitute in some goat cheese, feta, aged cheddar or even Parmesan.
- Salt & freshly ground black pepper
- Sweet and Savory Walnut Dressing – The perfect dressing for this salad.
Substitutions & Variations:
Swap the blue cheese for goat cheese, feta, Parmesan or even an aged cheddar if a funky blue cheese isn’t your thing.
If you don’t want to make the walnut dressing, simply dress the salad in some good quality balsamic dressing and olive oil.
If you can’t find Asian pears, regular pears or even crisp apples work perfectly here.
How to Make Radicchio Salad with Pear and Blue Cheese
- Prepare the radicchio
Slice the radicchio into thin ribbons and arrange on a serving platter. - Add the Pears
Scatter the sliced pear and Asian pear on top of the radicchio. - Top with olives and blue cheese
Remove the olive pits and tear in half. Scatter them over the salad along with the crumbled blue cheese. - Dress and season
Generously dress with the walnut salad dressing, and season with flaky salt and freshly ground black pepper. - Eat Up!
Serve right away and enjoy!
FAQs
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes! Prep the ingredients separately and assemble just before serving to keep everything crisp. Toss the sliced pear and asian pear with some lemon juice so they don’t turn brown.
How do I reduce radicchio’s bitterness?
Soak the sliced radicchio in ice water for 20 minutes before using, then drain and pat dry. This can help reduce some of the bitterness. But radicchio IS bitter, that’s what makes it so good! Make sure to use sweet pears and add enough honey to your dressing to balance out the flavors.
What dressing goes best with radicchio?
Nutty or creamy dressings, like my walnut salad dressing or balsamic vinaigrette, balance the bitterness really well.
Some other recipe you might like:
A Bitter Green Caesar Salad with endive, radicchio and roasted olive croutons. A delicious twist on the Classic Caesar Salad.
A Sicilian Fennel and Orange Salad is a classic Italian citrus salad featuring fresh fennel, blood orange, olives, and walnuts. A simple, delicious salad that you will be making again and again!
My Grilled Chicken and Peach Salad that combines curly endive, grilled corn and a tangy mustard vinaigrette. A fresh and vibrant salad perfect for summer grilling!
A Stone Fruit Caprese Salad that’s a delicious twist on the classic! Juicy peaches, plums, tomatoes and fresh mozzarella get topped with fresh mint and oregano. So good!
My Shaved Brussels Sprout Caesar Salad is crisp, creamy, and packed with flavor! Tossed in a tangy lemon caesar dressing, topped with toasted panko and parmesan—perfect for a side or light meal.
A classic Italian panzanella salad with tomatoes, cucumbers and a red wine vinegar and anchovy dressing. This salad is perfect for summer!
Did you try this recipe?
This radicchio pear salad is a gorgeous, flavor-packed dish that’s as easy to make as it is impressive to serve. Whether you’re looking for a Mediterranean radicchio salad or just a new favorite winter recipe, this one won’t disappoint!
Did you make this radicchio salad? Leave a comment and star rating below with your thoughts or share your version on Instagram by tagging @TheMostHungry. I’d love to see how you made it your own!
Radicchio Salad with Pear and Blue Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 head radicchio sliced
- 1 Asian pear thinly sliced, (optional but highly recommended)
- 1 pear thinly sliced, (Bartlett, Conference, or any variety you like)
- ½ cup assorted olives pitted and torn, (Castelvetrano, Kalamata, Greek, or black)
- 1–2 oz blue cheese crumbled, (Point Reyes, Gorgonzola, Roquefort, or Stilton)
- Flaky salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Sweet and Savory Walnut Dressing
Instructions
- Arrange the sliced radicchio on a serving platter.
- Scatter the sliced pear and Asian pear over the radicchio.
- Top with torn olives and crumbled blue cheese.
- Drizzle generously with walnut dressing, then season with flaky salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Did You Make This Recipe?
Leave a comment with your thoughts or share your version on Instagram by tagging @TheMostHungry. I’d love to see how you made it your own!
