Blackberry Salad is an exquisite summer dish, bursting with vibrant flavors and delightful textures. This crowd-pleasing recipe combines juicy, sweet blackberries, crisp, ripe pears, crunchy candied pecans, and tangy feta cheese, all harmoniously tossed in a rich, creamy poppy seed dressing. It’s the perfect blend of sweet, savory, and fresh, making it an ideal side dish or a light main course.

Blackberry Salad: Your Go-To Summer Sensation

When summer arrives, bringing with it an abundance of fresh, ripe produce, there’s no better way to celebrate than with a vibrant, flavorful salad. This Blackberry Salad isn’t just a simple mix of greens; it’s a meticulously crafted culinary experience where every ingredient plays a crucial role. From the moment you take your first bite, you’ll be captivated by the symphony of tastes and textures: the burst of fresh blackberries, the subtle sweetness of pears, the satisfying crunch of candied pecans, and the creamy tang of feta, all brought together by an irresistible poppy seed dressing. It’s the kind of salad you’ll want to make on repeat, especially when blackberries are at their peak season.

My journey to perfecting this salad began with two beloved recipes: an exceptional creamy poppy seed dressing and the most delicious homemade candied pecans. Building a salad around these stellar components ensured a foundation of rich, complementary flavors. The sweet and savory combination in this salad is truly next-level, offering a sophisticated taste that appeals to everyone. While it shines as a side dish, it’s incredibly easy to transform into a hearty meal. Simply pair it with some grilled chicken, flank steak, or even grilled salmon for a complete and satisfying dinner. Prepare to fall in love with this unforgettable summer salad!

Why You’ll Adore This Fresh Blackberry Salad

• Explosion of Flavors: A perfect balance of sweet, tart, creamy, and crunchy. Each bite is a delightful surprise.
• Seasonal Freshness: Highlights the best of summer produce, especially those succulent blackberries and crisp pears.
• Simple Elegance: Looks incredibly impressive, yet is surprisingly easy to prepare, making it ideal for both casual weeknight dinners and special occasions.
• Versatile: Delicious on its own as a light lunch, or easily scaled up to serve a crowd as a vibrant side dish for BBQs, potlucks, and holidays.
• Customizable: Easily adaptable with your favorite greens, nuts, cheeses, and proteins to suit any dietary preference.
• Homemade Dressing: The creamy poppy seed dressing is a game-changer, far superior to store-bought options, tying all the ingredients together beautifully.

Essential Ingredients for Your Blackberry Pear Salad

Creating this spectacular Blackberry Salad starts with selecting the freshest, highest-quality ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and some tips for choosing the best:

• Spring Lettuce Mix: I prefer a delicate spring mix for its varied textures and subtle flavors, which complement the other ingredients without overpowering them. However, nutrient-rich spinach or peppery arugula also make excellent bases if you’re looking for a slightly different profile. Ensure your greens are fresh, crisp, and thoroughly washed and dried to prevent a watery salad.
• Blackberries: The star of the show! Look for plump, firm blackberries with a deep, even color. Avoid berries that are soft, shriveled, or show any signs of mold. Gently wash them just before use and pat them completely dry to maintain their texture and prevent sogginess. The sweeter and juicier the berries, the more incredible your salad will be.
• Pears: Pears add a wonderful crispness and subtle sweetness that pairs beautifully with blackberries and feta. Choose firm but ripe pears – a gentle press near the stem should yield slightly. Varieties like Anjou, Bartlett, or Bosc work wonderfully. To prevent browning, slice them just before serving or toss them lightly with a squeeze of lemon juice.
• Candied Pecans: These provide an irresistible crunch and a sweet counterpoint to the tangy dressing and cheese. While store-bought candied pecans are convenient, making your own is surprisingly simple and yields a fresher, more flavorful result. They elevate the salad significantly!
• Goat Cheese or Feta: A crumble of salty, tangy cheese is essential for balancing the sweetness of the fruit and pecans. Feta offers a bold, briny flavor, while goat cheese provides a milder, creamier tang. Both are fantastic choices; choose based on your preference for intensity. Ensure it’s crumbled evenly so every forkful gets a hint of its deliciousness.

Crafting the Perfect Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

The poppy seed dressing is the secret weapon of this Blackberry Salad, tying all the diverse flavors together with its creamy, tangy, and subtly sweet profile. Making it from scratch ensures a fresh, vibrant taste that simply can’t be replicated with store-bought versions. Here’s what you’ll need to create this amazing dressing and why each ingredient is important:

• Mayonnaise: This forms the creamy base of the dressing. A good quality, rich, and smooth mayonnaise, like Best Foods® or Hellmann’s®, is essential for achieving the perfect texture and flavor. It provides a luxurious mouthfeel that coats the greens beautifully.
• Lemon Zest: Don’t skip this! The zest of a fresh lemon adds a bright, aromatic burst of citrus that elevates the entire dressing. Remember to zest only the yellow part of the rind, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath. It provides a refreshing counterpoint to the richness of the mayo.
• Milk and Cream: A combination of whole milk and heavy cream thins out the mayonnaise to the ideal consistency while adding an extra layer of richness and creaminess. This ensures the dressing is pourable and smooth, coating every leaf and berry evenly.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: This provides the crucial tangy element that balances the sweetness of the sugar and the richness of the mayo and cream. Apple cider vinegar also adds a subtle fruity note that complements the salad’s overall profile.
• Sugar: A touch of granulated sugar sweetens the dressing nicely, creating that delightful sweet-and-sour balance. You can adjust the amount to your personal preference, adding more for a sweeter dressing or less if your fruit is exceptionally sweet.
• Salt: Just a pinch of salt enhances all the other flavors, bringing them into harmony. It’s crucial for rounding out the dressing and ensuring it’s not just sweet or tangy, but perfectly seasoned.
• Poppy Seeds: These tiny seeds add a characteristic visual appeal and a delicate, nutty crunch. It’s important to stir them in *after* blending all the other ingredients to maintain their texture and prevent them from being completely pulverized by the blender.

Expert Tips for a Flawless Blackberry Salad

• Strategic Prep Ahead: To make entertaining or meal prep a breeze, prepare your candied pecans and the poppy seed dressing a few days in advance. Store the pecans in an airtight container at room temperature, and the dressing in a sealed jar in the refrigerator. This allows the flavors of the dressing to meld beautifully and saves you precious time on serving day.
• Pear Perfection: For perfectly ripe pears, gently press near the stem. If it yields slightly, it’s ready. If you can’t find ripe fresh pears, don’t worry! Canned pears, well-drained and thinly sliced, can be a suitable alternative. They offer a softer texture but still contribute a lovely sweetness.
• Prevent Pear Browning: Pears oxidize quickly once sliced. To keep them looking fresh and appetizing, toss the slices immediately with a small amount of lemon juice. This simple trick will maintain their beautiful light color.
• Chill Your Ingredients: For the ultimate crisp and refreshing salad, ensure all your ingredients (especially the greens and dressing) are well-chilled before assembly.
• Don’t Overdress: Always add dressing gradually, tossing gently, until the salad is just coated to your preference. Too much dressing can make the salad soggy. You can always add more, but you can’t take it away!
• Add Protein for a Meal: Transform this side salad into a complete meal by adding grilled chicken, pan-seared salmon, shrimp, or even some chickpeas for a vegetarian option.

Explore More Delicious Salad Creations

If you love vibrant and flavorful salads, you’re in luck! Here are some other fantastic salad recipes to inspire your culinary adventures:

• Beet and Goat Cheese Salad with a delectable orange-honey dressing – an earthy and sweet combination.
• Olive Garden Salad Copycat with an irresistible Italian dressing – a classic restaurant favorite made at home.
• Hearty Chicken Taco Salad with a zesty cilantro-lime dressing – perfect for a satisfying and flavorful meal.
• Refreshing Cucumber Salad with a tangy balsamic dressing – simple, crisp, and wonderfully light.
• Creamy Balsamic Dressing on a spring Cobb salad – a delightful twist on a beloved classic.

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Blackberry Salad

By
Chelsea Lords

This show-stopping Blackberry Salad is packed with juicy blackberries, sweet candied pecans, crisp pears, and salty feta, all tossed in a creamy poppy seed dressing.

Prep Time:
25 minutes

Total Time:
25 minutes

Servings:
6 as a side

Video

Watch how to make this delicious Blackberry Salad here!

Equipment

• Blender
• Large bowl

Ingredients

Salad

• 5 ounces spring mix lettuce blend 8 cups loosely measured
• 1 (6-ounce) package fresh blackberries
• 2 pears ripe, thinly sliced (e.g., Anjou, Bartlett)
• 1/3 cup chopped candied pecans
• 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese

Poppy Seed Dressing

• 1/3 cup mayo I recommend Best Foods or Hellmann’s
• 2 tablespoons whole milk
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 lemon for lemon zest (~1/2 teaspoon zest)
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1-1/2 teaspoons poppy seeds

Instructions

Poppy Seed Dressing

• First, zest your lemon to yield about 1/2 teaspoon of zest. In a blender, combine the lemon zest with the mayonnaise, whole milk, heavy cream, sugar, apple cider vinegar, and salt. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. Taste the dressing and adjust the sweetness by adding an additional 1-2 teaspoons of sugar if desired. Finally, stir in the poppy seeds. Transfer the dressing to an airtight container and refrigerate until you are ready to assemble the salad.

For the Salad

• In a large serving bowl, gently toss together the spring lettuce mix and the fresh, thoroughly washed and completely dried blackberries. Thinly slice the ripe pears just before assembling (or after tossing with a bit of lemon juice to prevent browning) and add them to the bowl.
• Sprinkle the chopped candied pecans and crumbled feta cheese (or goat cheese) over the greens and fruit. Drizzle the prepared poppy seed dressing over the salad. Start with a smaller amount, then toss gently and add more to your personal preference, ensuring not to overdress. Serve immediately and enjoy the delightful combination of flavors and textures!

Recipe Notes

Storage: Blackberry Salad is truly best when enjoyed fresh. Once dressed, the lettuce can wilt, pears may brown, and pecans can soften. For optimal freshness and texture, prepare and store all ingredients separately. Keep greens and berries refrigerated, the dressing in a sealed jar in the fridge, and candied pecans at room temperature. Slice pears only just before you are ready to serve the salad.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving |
Calories: 181kcal |
Carbohydrates: 15.7g |
Protein: 2.2g |
Fat: 13g |
Cholesterol: 12.1mg |
Sodium: 134.8mg |
Fiber: 2.6g |
Sugar: 12.4g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.