Blackberry Salad is a flavor-packed favorite with juicy blackberries, candied pecans, crisp pears, and tangy feta, all tossed in a creamy poppy seed dressing.
Blackberry Salad
Salads are all about the toppings, and this one is loaded with the best—juicy blackberries, crisp pears, crunchy candied pecans, and creamy poppy seed dressing.
I started with my favorite poppy seed dressing and the most delicious candied pecans and built a salad around them. The sweet and savory combo is next-level, and if you want to make it a meal, just grilled chicken or steak. So good!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this Blackberry Salad:
- Spring Lettuce Mix: I love a spring mix, but spinach or arugula works too.
- Blackberries: Pick firm, plump berries for the best flavor. Wash and dry well.
- Pears: Slice just before serving to keep them from browning.
- Candied Pecans: Store-bought works, but homemade is even better.
- Goat Cheese or Feta: Crumble evenly so every bite gets a little.
Quick Tip
Extra candied pecans? Toss them on a yogurt bowl, acai bowl, or use them to decorate a carrot cake!
Blackberry Salad Dressing
- Mayo: A rich, smooth mayo like Best Foods® makes the best dressing.
- Lemon Zest: Adds fresh, bright flavor. Zest only the yellow part, not the bitter white below.
- Milk and Cream: Makes the dressing extra creamy.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Gives the dressing a slight tang for balance.
- Sugar: Sweetens the dressing nicely. Add more or less to taste.
- Poppy Seeds: Stir in after blending, not before!
Blackberry Salad Tips
- Prep ahead: Make the candied pecans and dressing a few days ahead of time.
- No ripe pears? Use canned pears, drained and sliced thin. To check ripeness, press near the stem—if it’s slightly soft, it’s ready.
- Stop browning: Toss sliced pears with lemon juice to keep them fresh.
Storage
Leftovers?
Blackberry Salad is best fresh. Once dressed, the lettuce wilts, the pears brown, and the pecans soften.
If making ahead, store everything separately. Slice the pears and toss the salad just before eating..
More Salad Recipes
- Beet and Goat Cheese Salad with an orange-honey dressing
- Olive Garden Salad with an Italian dressing
- Chicken Taco Salad with a cilantro-lime dressing
- Cucumber Salad with a balsamic dressing
- Creamy Balsamic Dressing on a spring Cobb salad
Blackberry Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 5 ounces spring lettuce mix 8 cups loosely measured
- 1 (6-ounce) package fresh blackberries
- 2 ripe pears thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup chopped candied pecans
- 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese
- 1/3 cup mayo I recommend Best Foods
- 2 tablespoons whole milk
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1-1/2 teaspoons poppy seeds
Instructions
Poppy Seed Dressing
- In a blender, combine all the dressing ingredients except the poppy seeds and blend until smooth. Taste and adjust the sweetness by adding 1–2 teaspoons of sugar if needed. Stir in the poppy seeds and store in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to use.
For the Salad
- In a large bowl, toss together the spring lettuce mix and fresh (washed and completely dried) blackberries. Thinly slice pears and add to salad.
- Add chopped candied pecans, goat or feta cheese, and the dressing. (You may not want all the dressing on the salad, so add slowly and to personal preference.) Toss and enjoy!
Video
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
The picture shows a triple berry salad the recipe is for a blackberry salad. Where can I find the triple berry recipe?
Where are you seeing the picture?
Looks so delicious! Can’t wait to try this with friends!
Yum! This looks so delicious and colorful! I can’t wait to make this!
This is such a dreamy salad! Perfect for the sweet & juicy blackberries I picked up earlier this week.
I’m trying to make your candied pecans, but I don’t see in the recipe how much water I’m supposed to use. It says to whisk the egg white, vanilla, and water, but it doesn’t indicate how much water.
Sorry about that Kristin; it’s been updated! 1/2 tablespoon water