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.
Author’s Notes
Sweet, Crunchy & So Good!
I’ll be honest, salads are mostly about the toppings and dressing for me, and this one has all the good stuff: juicy blackberries, crisp pears, creamy goat cheese, crunchy candied pecans, and plenty of poppy seed dressing.
It started with my favorite dressing and candied pecans, then I found the juiciest blackberries at the store and built the rest from there. Pears and goat cheese sounded perfect with everything, and after one bite, I was pretty sure I’d found my new favorite summer salad!
I make this every summer when blackberries are at their peak. Add some grilled chicken or steak, and you’ve got the kind of fresh, colorful dinner you’ll want on repeat constantly!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this Blackberry Salad:
| Ingredient | Tip |
|---|---|
| Spring Lettuce Mix | Spring mix is my favorite here, but spinach or arugula also work great. |
| Blackberries | Use firm, plump berries for the best flavor. Wash and dry well. |
| Pears | Slice right before serving so they don’t brown. |
| Candied Pecans | Store-bought works, but homemade adds the best crunch and flavor. |
| Goat Cheese or Feta | Crumble evenly so every bite gets a little creamy, tangy cheese. |
Quick Tip
Extra candied pecans? Toss them on a yogurt bowl, acai bowl, or use them to decorate a carrot cake!
chelsea’s recipe tip
My Top 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 Delicious Salad Recipes:
Blackberry Salad
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 5 ounces spring mix lettuce blend 8 cups loosely measured
- 1 (6-ounce) package fresh blackberries
- 2 pears ripe, 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 lemon for lemon zest
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1-1/2 teaspoons poppy seeds
Instructions
Poppy Seed Dressing
- Zest lemon to get 1/2 tespoon zest. In a blender, combine the lemon zest with 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!
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