Published by Allyson
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Pear Salad is a classic southern comfort food! These canned pears topped with mayonnaise, cheese, and a cherry will be a hit at the next potluck!
I know what you are thinking, pear salad?! Trust me, growing up in Michigan I'd never heard of pear salad. However, now that I live in Georgia, I hear about it ALL THE TIME.
It's kind of crazy in my honest opinion, but it's one of those things you just can't knock it 'til you've tried it. So, have you tried pear salad? Another southern classic we make all the time is Pimento Cheese, have you tried it?
Pear Salad is simple because it only has 3 ingredients, four if you want to get fancy.
How to make pear salad, the southern classic recipe:
**scroll down for full ingredients list and printable directions**
- Canned pears, mayonnaise, and shredded cheddar cheese.
- If you want to sweeten things up, add some maraschino cherries on top!
- Place the pears center side up, then scoop some mayo on top (my southern friend demands Blue Plate, however her southern friend says Duke's...), then add the shredded cheddar cheese and pop a cherry on top!
- Some people also like to serve it over a bed of ice burg lettuce- YUM!
What is Pear Salad?
This is a fruit salad with pears, mayonnaise, and cheese. Some people like to serve it with a cherry on top or over a bed of lettuce. Its origins aren't completely known, but we do know it started in the south.
I have heard from many southerners that they grew up with it served in their school cafeteria, and many stories about people's grannies bringing it to events, or serving it every Sunday.
Every story I hear about pear salad has comforting thoughts of childhood and growing up around family!
Pear Salad is Low Cost!
Not only is this easy to make and super delicious, but it's also cheap! It's about $1 for a can of pears, probably .50 cents worth of mayo for the whole can of pears, and maybe .75 worth of cheese! Can't get much cheaper for a quick and easy side dish!
I highly suggest you take this pear salad to your next potluck or get together. Even if you don't live in the south, this will be a HUGE conversation starter and it will be interesting who actually tries it! Make sure you tell them, 'don't knock it until you try it!'
When to serve pear salad:
- Having a holiday party?! No party is complete without other appetizers. Try serving it alongside some Cranberry Baked Brie.
- Pear salad is perfect for any potluck! Whip it up, throw it in a storage container, and then pop it in the fridge until party time. It's even good if you make it the night before!
- Couples game night?! Serve it while playing your favorite games such as Cards Against Humanity or Catchphrase!
- Sunday dinner! Pass this salad around with dinner and everyone will be blown away!
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- Honey Lime Fruit Salad
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4.97 from 26 votes
Pear Salad
Pear Salad is a classic southern comfort food! Don't knock it until you try it; with only four ingredients so you can whip it up in no time!
Ingredients
- 2canspear halves,drained
- ½-3/4cupmayonnaise
- ⅓cupshredded cheddar cheese
- maraschino cherries,optional
Instructions
Place drained pear halved center side up on a serving dish. Add about 1 TBS mayo to the center of each pear half. Then sprinkle cheddar cheese over the top. Top with maraschino cherries if desired!
Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
- When not eating, keep refrigerated.
- Can be made night before and stored covered in the refrigerator.
Originally Published 12/2017
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Reader Interactions
Comments
Deloris
Well I don't ave any southern roots but I have been making this all my married life(64years)! I use cottage cheese though.Reply
Allyson
Wow!!! That is amazing and CONGRATS on such an amazing marriage!!!
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Deloris
THANK YOU! And Merry Christmas.
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Allyson
You too!!
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Teresa H.
So do I, and I've lived all my life in the south!Reply
Linda
I make this using cottage cheese , not mayo . My husband and I ( 53 years ) like it best that way . But we've never tried the pears with a cherry on top . Only shredded cheese and a little juice from the pears .Reply
Suzee
My grandma from Texas made it with cottage cheese on the pear and the pear on a piece of lettuce. That was our Sunday after church dessert
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Allyson
Love those memories!
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Dianne Boomhower
My mother and grandmother, both born and raised in Knoxville TN,made this. The only salad I knew as a child.
BUT...it was either a canned pear half or a canned peach half, cottage cheese with some of the fruit juice mixed in and served on a bed of iceberg lettuce.
No mayo and no cherry.Reply
Allyson
Interesting! So fun hearing about everyone's versions!
Reply
Rj
Dianne
I too was born in Knoxville and pear salad was a treat for us a kids still love it today
Havdxa great nite
RJ McClureReply
Dixie Brown
I love both the mayo (Dukes) and cottage cheese. My mom used MW too, and always put each pear on a lettuce leaf. Really colorful and so refreshing!
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CW
My MIL did the same thing
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Kathryn Jones
Same here...pear, cottage cheese, cherry
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Jen
Ok, this is one I've never heard of! I love pears so it sounds like I need to give this a try.
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Claudia Savoy
Also very good with pineapple slices.Reply
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious
This is a new one for me! I've never heard of this dish. I'll have to give it a try.
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Allyson
Try it and let me know how you like it!!!
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Abeer
Looks so delicious! I love the flavor combo!
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Allyson
Right?!?!
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carrie @ frugal foodie mama
I have never heard of this before! I am not sure about that combo, but I will try anything at least once. 😉
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Allyson
Happy to hear you would give it a try!
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Pat
What is the correct mayo?
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Allyson
I say BLUE PLATE, but a lot of people also like DUKES!
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lyn
We don't have those brands of mayo in the Midwest.
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Geraldine
I like Hellman's mayo but any good mayo will do.
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PJones
Duke’s
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Linda
Dukes is not commonly available in the north, thus Hellmans is what we use.mom made this all the time, her roots were in Georgia! I grew up with this.
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Linda
Mom was especially fond of this with company and holiday dinners using family china and silver. My southern relatives also made this. Such a treat.Reply
Allyson
Blue plate is also a great option if you can't find Duke's!
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Carol
I am a lifelong Ohioan, hunted down a jar of Dukes, and honestly can't tell much difference from using Hellmanns, which is everywhere in Ohio. Not so up north: Dukes is not a staple in the chains here...but it's good! Ive made the dessert/salad with pineapple or peaches all my life. Glad to hear about the pears: I'm always stumped about what to do with them. I have used cream cheese and walnuts on iceberg lettuce using pears though.Reply
Des
Never heard of this southern dish. Will have to give it a try!Reply
Allyson
Try it for sure!
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Janet
I have had it with softened cream cheese. Easy and good tasting.
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Allyson
Oh good substitution!!! Love that!
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Melinda
This was a family favorite in my house fifty years ago! Time to bring it back! 🙂
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Allyson
Yes!!! Please do!
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Jane Kochman
Dukes!Reply
kim mcclanahan
my mom used Miracle whip - she did not care for real Mayo (and my guess is MW was less expensive)
She would sprinkle a little paprika on the Miracle Whip. DelishReply
Allyson
Oh good tips! I am not a fan of miracle whip, but paprika sounds good!
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PJones
Actually Miracle whip is more expensive
And guess what? The main ingredient in MW is Kraft Mayonnaise. It is the extra sweetening Ingredients that make mw more exspensiveReply
Krista
These are the most creative thing I have seen today! I love it!
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Debra Hinson
It really is good. I've eaten this about all of my life. I'm 62 years old.Reply
Allyson
I am so happy to hear that! Do you ever try it any other ways?
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Cathy @ Lemon Tree Dwelling
I've never heard of this but now I feel like I HAVE to try it!
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Melissa
We ate it all three ways. Mayo, cottage cheese and cream cheese depending what mom had in the fridge.(55 yrs ago) also had it with pineapple instead if pears. Also made one out of Bananas with mayo and peanut butter and crushed peanuts. All were served on a lettuce leave. Thanks for the memory.!
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Jan
I grew up on these, too! Long time since I’ve had it but tonight sounds like a a great night!l. Thanks for the memories! Georgia girl all my life!
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Betty Blalock
My aunt would make this many years ago. She mixed cream cheese and crushed Fritos for the filling. Thanks for jogging my memory!
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Linda Lanier
Have eaten this all my life also. Always served on a bed of lettuce. Canned peach halves are also good, but prefer cottage cheese with them.
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Allyson
I will have to try it with the peaches!
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Lora
Have you tried this pineapple salad? Place a pineapple ring on a leaf of lettuce. Place a spoonful of pimento cheese in the center of the ring and (optional) add a cherry on top. It’s delish. I wonder if instead of mayo and cheese, try placing a spoonful of pimento cheese in the pear?Reply
Allyson
I haven't tried that, but a lot of people have said that they change out the pear for pineapple in this pear salad recipe, so I would say it's worth a try, especially if you know you already like it! Let me know how it goes!
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Jan
Grew up on the pear & pineapple with Blue Plate mayo. Always had a lettuce leaf underneath them. Delish!!
Georgia girl all my life!Reply
Julie Lampe
If you want to get really fancy, you serve it on a piece of iceberg lettuce 😉
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Allyson
Love that little touch!
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Noah Binder
Ok...stupid question...do you slice it with a knire and eat little cross-sectionw or do you pick it up?
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Allyson
I like to cut mine up, but I know a lot of people who just pick it up!
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Michele Johnson
Can you use yogurt instead of mayo? My brother is allergic to mayo.
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Allyson
Sure! I have heard of people using cottage cheese too!
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Rebecca
two rasins for eyes a cherry nose and Cheese hair and you have a clown!
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Allyson
That is hilarious!
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Cheryl Schlegel
This takes me back to my childhood. I was born and raised in South Georgia and my mom made this at least weekly. She would put her pears on a lettuce leaf on individual small plates. I have to say I never cared for it as a kid and haven’t had it as an adult lol. I may have to revisit it to see what I think of it now. Thanks for nthis great throwback recipe from my southern childhood.
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Allyson
So many great memories around Pear Salad! It's a dish that brings everyone together for sure!
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Laree
My mom made this all the time except she used shredded carrots and cheese with the mayo. I actually made these tonight. Always brings back wonderful memories of growing up. My mom was from Georgia.
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Shannon Graham
I have to say, I'm southern and I've never seen or heard of this before! Looks absolutely delicious!Reply
Gretchen M
My mom from SC used to make a salad of sliced banana on a small bed of lettuce topped with mayo and chopped peanuts. I loved it. I have tried to make it but it never tastes as good as my mom's!
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Katerina @ diethood .com
Such an incredible dessert!! Can't wait to try this recipe!Reply
Sara Welch
Love how easy and tasty these treats are! Looks like the perfect appetizer!Reply
Beth Pierce
What a quick and tasty dish! I don't usually make many meals with pears, but this sounds deliciously sweet not to try!Reply
Jade Manning
These look delicious, I will be making these soon!Reply
Dee Provan
I grew up eating this salad, I have not thought of it or seen a recipe for it until today. It brings back wonderful memories of my mother coming up with great food ideas for a family of nine. I’m so excited and I will be making this recipe, people should not knock it until they try it but for me, it’s a wonderful memory of my mother, Dee Provan
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Allyson
I love hearing these stories, thank you for sharing Dee!
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Taylor
I need to give these a try! Sounds yummy!Reply
Krista
Love the use of pear! I have to make these for our next gathering!Reply
GAM
I grew up eating this - we usually had it when Mom made spaghetti!! Always served on a lettuce leaf with mayo and shredded cheddar, but no cherry on top. I’m 68 now and still eat it!!Reply
Matthew
This looks disgusting definitely not making this anytime soon.Reply
Allyson
Have you even tried it!?!?!
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Samantha
"Sounds disgusting" is not representative of how it tastes. Why would you make such a comment without trying it first?Reply
Jen
Well, I like it. I’m sure your kids will grow up and hate your food too. Get over itReply
Allyson
Some people are so negative! I hope you love Pear salad Jen!
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Phyllis Howell
My mom used the canned pears. Then she would mix cream cheese with crushed pineapple and mayo and the pineapple juice and some cherry juice. Cherry on top served on lettuce.
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Allyson
MMMMMM!!!!
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Sandy W.
I'm from CA now in FL. My mom -in-law made it with mayo & cheese only. It's really good. I love pears anyway.Reply
Sue
I am 71 years old and don't remember anytime I didn't know about this salad. It was one of the few salads we had while growing up. We only had cherries o top when we had company and then only a half topped the mayo and cheese. It was served on a leaf of iceberg lettuce. I make it now and we love it. Sometimes I make a pear tossed salad. I tear lettuce and cut pear slices in half. Toss together with shredded cheddar cheese and quarters of cherries. Dressing is mayo thinned with some cherry juice. I serve the dressing in a small pitcmher and let each person dress their own salad. Dukes is my Southern favorite. It is almost the same as Hellmann's which is a great dressing, too. I won't take the advice of the woman who said we should let this stay in the past. It's too good for that.Reply
Allyson
Sue - I am SO happy to read your comment! Pear salad is such a nostalgic treat that everyone needs to know about and try! I am going to share your comment on my Facebook page, thank you!
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Nelda
This reminds me of my granny and the holidays! Thanks for the fond memories, I’m going to make it and serve it to my kids!Reply
Fran
I love this salad! Although I use cream cheese or cottage cheese instead of mayo. So delicious! A similar dessert I had growing up was sliced bananas tossed with mayo, and topped with shredded coconut and slivered almonds. Such a treat!Reply
