Southern Pear Salad (Retro Recipe)
Southern Pear Salad is an old-fashioned recipe combining simple ingredients—canned pears, mayo, and cheddar cheese—to create something truly remarkable. Sweet and creamy, this salad is a staple on many Southern tables and only requires three main ingredients. Trust me, it’s one of those fast and easy dishes people remember and love.
If you’ve never had Vintage Pear Salad, get ready for a delicious blast from the past. This recipe comes straight from my mother-in-law’s kitchen, and let me tell you—it was a must at every church social, family gathering, and holiday dinner.
No matter the season, you could count on seeing her big platter of pear salad nestled between her quick and easy potato salad and the ham. Easy pear salad is now a part of my family’s traditions, along with my Grape Salad with Cream Cheese, Strawberry Spinach Salad with Pecans, and Green Pea and Cheese Salad.
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💗 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe with pears and cheese is simple, unique, and packed with Southern flavor.
- Quick and Easy: This dish requires only a few simple ingredients and is a no-cook salad recipe. It comes together in less than 10 minutes.
- Make-Ahead Dish: This is perfect for making ahead for parties or holidays. You can easily make it the day before you plan to serve it.
- Flavor Combination: The unexpected sweet flavor from the Bartlett pears, tangy mayo, and cheddar cheese all work together to make a delightful bite.
- Customizable: Easy to customize with different cheeses such as blue cheese, feta cheese, or soft goat cheese.
🛒 Ingredients Needed for Pear Salad Recipe
You’ll only need three basic and two optional ingredients for this pear and cheese recipe. It’s simple and delish!
- Mayonnaise: This adds a creamy, tangy bite that balances the sweetness. Duke’s mayo is my brand and a Southern favorite! I also use this mayonnaise in my simple carrot salad with mayonnaise.
- Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar works best against the contrast of sweet pears. I like using freshly grated cheese, but preshredded will work for convenience.
- Canned Pear Halves: The sweet pears are the star of the show. Look for canned halves in heavy syrup or juice—drain them well before using. I use Bartlett Pears. They are my favorite, have a crisp bite, and are the best pears for the salad.
- Maraschino Cherries: The cherries are optional, but make a nice presentation on top of the pears.
- Lettuce Leaves or Baby Spinach: Lettuce leaves are the most popular for display in each pear half. You could also use baby spinach to line your platter as well. You are looking for that pop of green to showcase the pears. Both of these are optional.
🍐 How to Make Pears with Mayo and Cheese
This salad with pears is all about the contrast in textures and flavors, so simplicity is best.
Step 1: Drain the canned pear halves and arrange them on a platter or individual lettuce leaves.
Step 2: Add a small spoonful of mayonnaise into the hollow of each pear half.
Step 3: Sprinkle each pear with shredded cheddar cheese.
Step 4: If you’re feeling fancy, crown each pear with a maraschino cherry. Chill for about 30 minutes before serving for the best flavor.
💭 Pro Tips
- Drain Pears: Drain the canned pears well and pat dry with a paper towel to prevent soggy pears.
- Use Real Mayonnaise: Use full-fat mayo for the best flavor.
- Grate Your Cheese: If time allows, grate your cheddar cheese instead of using pre-shredded. It seems to stick better to the mayo.
- Serve on Lettuce Leaves: This step is optional, but it’s what my mother-in-law did. It makes a pretty presentation and keeps the pears from sliding.
- Assemble Before Serving: Although you can make this pear salad beforehand, it is simple enough to assemble about 30 minutes before serving.
🍽 How to Serve This Salad
Retro Pear Salad is best served chilled, arranged beautifully on a big platter. Some folks even use their deviled egg plate to keep the pears from sliding around. Top each pear with a bright red cherry for a spectacular presentation. It’s perfect as an appetizer, side dish, or potluck addition for my southern cornbread dressing with chicken, easy juicy Thanksgiving turkey recipe, or as a side to my Rice-a-Roni chicken bake. Honestly, they go well with just about anything.
❔ Recipe FAQs
I don’t recommend Miracle Whip for this vintage recipe. A traditional mayo works and tastes the best.
I always make this salad with canned pears and save the fresh pear slices for a traditional pear salad. Fresh pears tend to be harder than canned pears.
Refrigerate: Place leftovers in an airtight container. They’ll stay suitable for up to 2 days.
Don’t freeze: This salad doesn’t freeze well—the mayo and cheese don’t hold up in the freezer.
Freshen up before serving: If serving these again as leftovers, add a fresh sprinkle of cheese before serving.
The mayonnaise makes this vintage southern pear salad unique. The mayo complements the sweetness of the pears and adds a creamy texture.
Although I have only had this salad with mayo, some have substituted soft cheeses like cottage cheese or softened cream cheese.
More Easy Salad Recipes
If you tried this Southern Pear Salad or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments. Thanks for visiting!
📋 Recipe
Southern Pear Salad
Ingredients
- 1 (29 oz.) can Bartlett Pears or 2 (15 oz.) cans
- ⅓ cup Mayonnaise
- ½ cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese shredded
- 1 jar Maraschino Cherries optional
- Lettuce Leaves optional
Instructions
- Drain pears and pat dry with a paper towel. Line the platter with lettuce leaves, or use a rimmed platter to set pears on the dish.
- Add a small spoonful of mayonnaise into the hollow of each pear half.
- Sprinkle each pear with shredded cheddar cheese.
- If you’re feeling fancy, crown each pear with a maraschino cherry. Chill for about 30 minutes before serving for the best flavor.
Notes
Don’t freeze: This salad doesn’t freeze well—the mayo and cheese don’t hold up in the freezer.
Freshen up before serving: If serving these again as leftovers, add a fresh sprinkle of cheese before serving.
This pear salad recipe shows up on our table throughout the year. Only 3-ingredients and it comes together fast!