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Southern Pear Salad Recipe

 

In this post I’ll be sharing the classic Southern Pear Salad Recipe.

One evening I said “Do y’all remember the pear salad we used to have at school?”, and of course everyone did. We kind of giggled, then I said “But I liked it”, and it turns out so did everyone else.
 
I remember my grandmother making pear salad and I wanted nothing to do with it. Being in school though, everyone else was eating it, so I tried it. I’ve liked it ever since.
 
I don’t know if they still serve this in schools and you don’t see this classic served often anymore. It is one of the easiest things to make. If you’ve never had it, you have to try it.
 
I made it and served prior to tonight’s supper and I’ll be serving this old fashioned classic at Easter this year.

Southern Pear Salad Recipe

Serving platter with pear salad Southern style
Ingredients:
  • 16 ounce can of pear halves, drained
  • Lettuce Leaves
  • Shredded Cheddar Cheese, freshly grated
  • Mayonnaise, preferably Dukes
  • Maraschino Cherries (optional)
Lay out a lettuce leaf and place pear half on top. Add about 1 teaspoon of the mayonnaise to the top of each pear and sprinkle on cheddar cheese over the mayonnaise. I’ve seen recipes where people will top it with a cherry, but I don’t care for the cherry.
 
The cherries were often a garnish when company was visiting for supper. We usually had the basic salad.
 
Its so fresh and delicious. I haven’t tried this yet but I bet it might even be good with a dollop of pimento cheese if you wanted to use that instead of the mayonnaise and cheese.
 
This recipe has also evolved and some folks prefer to use either cottage cheese or cream cheese instead of the mayonnaise. For me, some things are best left as they were and I’ll always prefer my pear salad with a dollop of mayonnaise.
 
If you’d like to add a small touch of color, I like to add a pinch or two of paprika.
pear salad with cherry on top

Vintage Salad Recipe

Let’s make this beloved classic Southern Pear Salad Recipe.

Yield: 6 Servings

Southern Pear Salad Recipe

Southern Pear Salad Recipe

Classic old school Southern Pear Salad recipe made with just a few basic ingredients has been loved for generations.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 16 oz. can of pear halves, drained
  • Lettuce Leaves
  • 1/4 c Shredded Cheddar Cheese, freshly grated
  • 2 tbsp. Mayonnaise, preferably Dukes
  • 6 Maraschino Cherries (optional)

Instructions

  1. Lay out a lettuce leaf and place pear half on top. Add about 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise to the top of each pear then a sprinkle of cheddar cheese. Garnish with a maraschino cherry if desired.

Notes

Pimento cheese, cottage cheese and cream cheese are sometimes used instead of mayonnaise.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 119Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 74mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 3gSugar: 9gProtein: 1g
 
pear salad with mayonnaise and cheese

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Meet Julia

Author of Julia's Simply Southern

Sharing is Caring

Todd

Sunday 22nd of August 2021

My mother made this, but always with cottage cheese. It never entered my mind to use something else. I prefer cream cheese to cottage cheese, particularly the onion and chives cream cheese. The makings just went on my grocery list.

Angie | Big Bear's Wife

Thursday 22nd of February 2018

I had a reader looking for this recipe! Just sent them your link!

Julia Jordan

Thursday 22nd of February 2018

Angie, Thank you so much :)

Susan the Farm Quilter

Wednesday 21st of February 2018

Just popping over from Southern Plate - thank you for this recipe! I had it for the first time when I was visiting a friend in Texas...definitely NEVER served at school in Nevada!! I loved it but wasn't sure what she put on it...now that I know, I'll be serving it often!

Julia Jordan

Wednesday 21st of February 2018

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoy the pear salad :)

ChristinaC

Monday 31st of July 2017

My mom made this for us all the time growing up. I loved it so much.

Julia

Wednesday 2nd of August 2017

It's always been a favorite of mine!

Pam G

Saturday 22nd of July 2017

My Aunt Lena used to make this salad all summer long, this is one of my favorites, thanks for bringing it back. Pam

Julia

Saturday 22nd of July 2017

Thanks for stopping by Pam! I hope you get to enjoy this classic again soon.

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