A Fall Feast Salad: Thanksgiving Delight with Pomegranate, Pears, Pecans & Brie

Thanksgiving Salad {With Pomegranate, Pears, Pecans, & Brie}

Introduction

Bring a vibrant pop of color and a touch of elegance to your holiday table with this Thanksgiving Salad featuring pomegranate, juicy pears, crunchy pecans, and creamy brie. This show-stopping dish is as flavorful as it is beautiful, balancing sweet, savory, and nutty notes in every bite. It makes a refreshing counterpoint to rich, traditional Thanksgiving fare, and is sure to win over guests looking for something light yet satisfying on their plates.

Why This Thanksgiving Salad Stands Out

This is not your average tossed salad. The combination of tart pomegranate arils, ripe pears, toasted pecans, and luxurious slices of brie turns a humble bowl of greens into a decadent centerpiece. Every forkful is layered with contrasting flavors and textures: sweetness from the pears, crunch from the nuts, creamy brie, and a burst of juice from the pomegranate. It’s festive, colorful, and ready in minutes—a guaranteed crowd pleaser that feels special without adding extra stress to your holiday prep.

Creating the Perfect Harvest Salad

Start with a blend of fresh, crisp greens for a sturdy base—baby spinach, arugula, or mixed spring greens are all excellent choices. Slice ripe pears thinly to ensure every bite includes their delicate sweetness. Scatter ruby red pomegranate seeds for a jewel-like appearance and subtle tang. A quick toast of pecans brings out their rich, buttery flavor while providing an irresistible crunch. Finally, add slices of brie for just the right creamy finish. Toss everything together just before serving to keep the greens fresh and the cheese perfectly soft.

Simple Balsamic Dressing to Tie It Together

The salad pairs beautifully with a quick homemade balsamic vinaigrette. Whisk together olive oil, aged balsamic vinegar, a touch of honey, a dash of Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper. This dressing complements the sweetness of the fruit and the creaminess of the brie, pulling everything together for a harmonious bite.

Serving Suggestions for a Memorable Thanksgiving Salad

Serve this salad on a large platter for a stunning presentation or divide into individual bowls for a dinner party touch. For extra flair, garnish with a handful of microgreens or an extra drizzle of balsamic glaze. It pairs perfectly as an appetizer or a fresh side alongside roasted turkey, stuffing, and all your traditional Thanksgiving favorites.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 8 generous side servings. Each serving contains roughly 220 calories, with a good balance of healthy fats, fiber, and protein—making it a nutritious addition to your holiday feast that doesn’t sacrifice flavor for wellness.

Harvest Salad Recap

This Thanksgiving Salad with pomegranate, pears, pecans, and brie is an unforgettable medley of seasonal ingredients and contrasting textures. It’s an effortless way to add color, freshness, and flavor to your holiday menu.

Ingredients

6 cups mixed greens (baby spinach, arugula, or spring mix)
2 ripe pears, thinly sliced
1/2 cup pomegranate arils (seeds)
1/2 cup toasted pecans
4 ounces brie cheese, sliced into small wedges or cubes
For the balsamic vinaigrette:
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Optional: Microgreens, balsamic glaze for garnish

💡 Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and stress-free holiday planning.

CookifyAI meal planning interface

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified. Set aside.
  2. Arrange the mixed greens on a large serving platter or salad bowl.
  3. Top the greens evenly with sliced pears, pomegranate arils, toasted pecans, and brie wedges.
  4. Just before serving, drizzle with the prepared balsamic vinaigrette and toss gently to combine. Garnish with optional microgreens or a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
  5. Serve immediately and enjoy this refreshing, festive salad!

Weekly Meal Planning

This Thanksgiving Salad is a versatile addition to both your holiday table and your everyday meal prep. Save and schedule this recipe to include it in your weekly lineup and let CookifyAI create consolidated, organized shopping lists for your entire meal plan.

Planning Benefits:

  • Automatically calculates total ingredient quantities across all recipes for the week
  • Organizes your shopping list by grocery store section
  • Reduces food waste and extra trips by preventing duplicate purchases
  • Makes holiday and weekly meal prep seamless and stress-free

Pro tip: Use CookifyAI’s calendar function to see which recipes share ingredients, like pears or mixed greens, and optimize your shopping list for seasonal produce and efficiency!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

Enjoy a fresh, festive, and foolproof Thanksgiving Salad—now with less planning stress and more delicious moments, thanks to CookifyAI!

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