Savory Bosc Pear Salad with Bacon & Toasted Pecans
Feb 26, 2019, Updated Nov 01, 2023
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
A decadent salad ideal for special occasions
Pears are an elegant fruit deserving of an elegant presentation. Savory Bosc Pear Salad with Bacon & Toasted Pecans is not only elegant, it’s decadent. The pears are cooked in bacon fat and served with toasted pecans, balsamic glaze, fresh thyme, and shaved parmesan cheese. The flavors are deep and rich. You might not think of salads as being indulgent, but this one definitely is!
Bosc pears are firmer and denser than other pear varieties and they keep their shape and texture when exposed to heat making them a good candidate for cooking. Bosc pears have a complex flavor that merges honey-sweetness and woodsy spices. They are juicy and dense, crisp when raw and velvety smooth when cooked. Learn more about Bosc pears here.
To make this salad, begin by toasting about a half cup of pecans. You can toast them on your stovetop or in your oven. Next, you’ll cook the bacon until it’s nice and crispy, saving about a tablespoon of bacon fat to cook the pears in. The pears will cook until they are tender and a rich golden- brown on all sides, about ten minutes. Once the pears are cooked, simply toss together with the bacon pieces, Dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar glaze, toasted pecans, fresh thyme and top with shaved parmesan cheese and garnish with a sprig of thyme.
Savory Bosc Pear Salad with Bacon & Toasted Pecans is truly a special salad. It’s perfect for special occasions — holidays, dinner parties, or pitch-ins. Its intense, savory flavors are too good not to share! If you’re looking to impress guests but only possess novice cooking skills or don’t have a lot of time to make an elaborate recipe, this salad is the ideal choice.
Savory Bosc Pear Salad with Bacon & Toasted Pecans
Ingredients
- 4 Bosc Pears quartered, seeds removed
- 8 oz bacon cut into 1" pieces
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar glaze
- 1/2 cup pecans
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme removed from stem
- Parmesan cheese shaved, to taste
Instructions
- Toast pecan: On the stovetop, heat pecans in a small skillet over medium-low heat. Toss frequently until pecans are golden-brown.
- Cook bacon in a large skillet or cast-iron Dutch oven, stirring occassionally. Once the bacon is crispy, transfer to a plate and drain grease onto paper towels.
- Remove excess bacon fat from the skillet, leaving 1 TBSP. Cook pears in bacon fat over medium heat for 10 minutes or until pears are tender and brown on all sides.
- Once pears are finished cooking, turn off heat and add Dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar glaze, pecans, bacon, and fresh thyme. Toss ingredients together until well mixed.
- Garnish with a sprig of fresh thyme and shaved parmesan cheese.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Check the Neck™ for Ripeness
There’s an easy way to know when pears are ripe and ready to eat, simply Check the Neck™! Apply slight pressure to the neck of the pear with your thumb. If it yields to the pressure, it is ripe. Learn more about picking the “pear-fect” pears here.
Add Bosc Pears to your grocery list and indulge your tastebuds with Savory Bosc Pear Salad with Bacon & Toasted Pecans. Be sure to pin this recipe and save it for your next special occasion!
Looks delicious I will try it tomorrow evening