The classic Southern pear salad gets a makeover! This Southern Pear Salad with Fresh Pears is a fresh, modern take on a vintage salad recipe, swapping fresh fruit and cottage cheese for the traditional canned pears and mayo. Made with just 5 ingredients and ready in about 10 minutes, it has that perfect balance of sweet, creamy, and savory.
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If you grew up seeing the vintage pear salad topped with mayo and a maraschino cherry, you’re going to love this recipe glow-up. My updated Southern pear salad keeps all the charm of the original, but swaps in fresh fruit and protein-packed cottage cheese for something that feels just a little lighter and a whole lot brighter!
Now I don’t know who first decided to put pears, mayo, cheese, and a cherry all on one plate. But somehow, it became a true Southern comfort food! And while that combination might sound a little unusual, it’s one of those sweet and savory situations that just works.
I actually ended up making this Southern pear salad with fresh pears after a friend gifted me a bunch of pears from her absolutely ginormous tree, and they were just too beautiful (and juicy!) not to use fresh.
I swapped the mayo for cottage cheese (because let’s be real, cottage cheese salads are having a moment), which adds a boost of protein while still giving you that creamy texture we all love. And when fresh pears are in season, there’s just no reason not to use them! They’re juicy, naturally sweet, and make this dish feel extra special.
This cottage cheese pear salad is perfect as a salad or side dish for Easter, any Sunday supper, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Personally, I love serving this updated vintage recipe for lunch on a salad plate with other salads like Parmesan Artichoke Chicken Salad and Macaroni Salad. And if you love Southern-inspired dishes like this, you’ve got to try my Strawberry Pretzel Salad, too!
Shortcuts
- I often use preshredded Colby Jack cheese for ease, and it works perfectly. It saves time and still gives you that classic salty bite that makes this salad so good. Shred your own if a block o' cheese is what you have.
- If you’re feeling nostalgic or just short on time, canned pear halves are absolutely fair game. Just be sure to drain them well so the salad doesn’t get watery.
- If you can find fresh cherries that are already pitted, grab them. It cuts down prep time and makes this recipe even quicker to throw together. Otherwise, an olive pitter or cherry pitter also saves time.
Ingredients
Scroll down to printable recipe for exact ingredient quantities.
- Bartlett or d' Anjou Pears: Sweet, juicy, and tender, Bartlett pears work beautifully because they’re soft when ripe and have a delicate flavor.
- Lettuce Leaves: This is a nod to the classic presentation. I like to serve the cottage cheese pear salad on iceberg or Bibb lettuce cups.
- Cottage Cheese: Instead of mayo, we’re using cottage cheese for a creamy, slightly tangy, high-protein upgrade.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Sharp Cheddar adds a salty richness that balances the sweetness of the fruit but I also love a mix of Colby Jack and Cheddar.
- Fresh Bing or Dark Sweet Cherries: A fresh swap for the traditional maraschino cherry!
How to Make Southern Pear Salad with Fresh Pears
Scroll down to the bottom for the printable recipe with detailed instructions.
- You can peel the pears or leave the peel on. Use an apple corer and remove core, then slice in half. Or, just slice in half, then use a knife or spoon to scoop out the core.
- Place the pear halves on lettuce leaves on a platter or individual plates. Spoon 2 tablespoons of the cottage cheese into the “bowl” of each pear.
- Sprinkle one tablespoon Cheddar cheese on top of the cottage cheese.
- Remove the pit from the cherries with an olive or cherry pitter or you can carefully slice them in half, cutting to-but-not-through the cherry pit in the middle. When you knife touches the pit in the middle, stop and twist the cherry. Carefully remove the pit from the side where it remained.
- Place a cherry half on top of the Cheddar cheese on each salad.
Expert tip: If your pears are extra juicy, pat them dry with a paper towel before assembling so everything stays nicely in place. Brush with lemon juice to keep the pear from turning brown if you're making them ahead of time to serve.
Substitutions & Variations
- You can always go the classic, Southern route with canned pears, maraschino cherries, and mayo or sour cream.
- Try swapping pears for canned or fresh peaches for a slightly different flavor! Cottage cheese and pineapple is also a lovely duo. You can use pineapple slices in that case!
- Use light, 2%, or full-fat cottage cheese depending on your preference. I like a full-fat cottage cheese for more flavor, but it’s up to you!
- I also like to use pre-shredded Cheddar cheese. A little smoked gouda cheese would also be tasty!
Pro Tips
- Safely core the pear! If you have an apple corer, it makes quick work of removing the center cleanly. If not, a small spoon or paring knife works just fine, just scoop gently to keep the pear halves intact.
- Choose perfectly ripe pears. You want pears that are soft but not mushy. If they’re too firm, they won’t have that juicy sweetness; too soft, and they won’t hold their shape!
- Balance the flavors. This salad works because of the sweet, salty, and creamy balance. Don’t skip the cheddar! It really ties everything together.
- Serve fresh for the best texture. This cottage cheese salad with pears is best assembled right before serving. It keeps the lettuce crisp and the pears looking their prettiest!
What to Serve with Cottage Cheese Pear Salad
You can also serve your pear salad with cottage cheese as part of a larger meal, with things like Ribeye Roast or Easy Shepherd’s Pie for a lovely Sunday meal. It can be served as an appetizer, along with Colored Deviled Eggs or Bacon-Wrapped Meatballs!
How to Store & Make Ahead
- To store: Store components separately if possible. Once assembled, it’s best eaten the same day to avoid the pears turning brown!
- To make ahead: You can prep the cherries ahead of time, but wait to assemble until just before serving.
FAQ's
Yes, pear salad is considered a classic Southern dish! It became especially popular in the mid-20th century, when canned pears, mayo, and cheese were pantry staples in many Southern homes.
Absolutely! Peaches are a great swap and keep that same soft, sweet, juicy vibe that works so well with the creamy and savory toppings. You could also try pineapple rings or even apple slices for a slightly different twist.
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Pear Salad with Cottage Cheese
SAVE THIS RECIPE
I'll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!
Ingredients
- 2 fresh bartlett or anjou pears
- Lettuce leaves (Iceberg or Bibb)
- ½ cup cottage cheese
- 4 tablespoons shredded Cheddar cheese
- 2 fresh Bing or dark sweet cherries
Instructions
- Peel the pears. Use an apple corer and remove core, then slice in half. Or, just slice in half, then use a knife or spoon to scoop out the core.
- Place the pear halves on lettuce leaves on a platter or individual plates. Spoon 2 tablespoons of the cottage cheese into the “bowl” of each pear.
- Sprinkle one tablespoon Cheddar cheese on top of the cottage cheese.
- Remove the pit from the cherries with an olive or cherry pitter. You can also carefully slice them in half, cutting to-but-not-through the cherry pit in the middle. When you knife touches the pit in the middle, stop and twist the cherry. Carefully remove the pit from the side where it remained.
- Place a cherry half on top of the Cheddar cheese on each salad.
Notes
- Safely core the pear! If you have an apple corer, it makes quick work of removing the center cleanly. If not, a small spoon or paring knife works just fine, just scoop gently to keep the pear halves intact.
- Choose perfectly ripe pears. You want pears that are soft but not mushy. If they’re too firm, they won’t have that juicy sweetness; too soft, and they won’t hold their shape!
- Balance the flavors. This salad works because of the sweet, salty, and creamy balance. Don’t skip the cheddar! It really ties everything together.
- Serve fresh for the best texture. This cottage cheese salad with pears is best assembled right before serving. It keeps the lettuce crisp and the pears looking their prettiest! If you do make it in advance, brush the fresh pear halves with a little lemon juice to keep them from turning a little brownish.
Nutrition
Nutrition analysis on GritsAndGouda.com recipes are mostly calculated on an online nutrition calculator. I am not a dietitian and nutritional information is an estimate and can vary based on products used.
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