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Pear Salad: A Southern Classic

April 19, 2019 73 Comments This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

5.2Kshares

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!

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!

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?

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 the pear salad served up with the 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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4.95 from 18 votes
Print
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
  • 2 cans pear halves, drained
  • 1/2-3/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • maraschino cherries, optional
Instructions
  1. 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!

  2. 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

5.2Kshares

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Deloris says

    December 13, 2017 at 12:14 pm

    5 stars
    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 says

      December 13, 2017 at 3:50 pm

      Wow!!! That is amazing and CONGRATS on such an amazing marriage!!!

      Reply
      • Deloris says

        December 13, 2017 at 5:35 pm

        THANK YOU! And Merry Christmas.

        Reply
        • Allyson says

          December 14, 2017 at 12:01 pm

          You too!!

          Reply
    • Teresa H. says

      December 15, 2017 at 12:55 am

      5 stars
      So do I, and I’ve lived all my life in the south!

      Reply
    • Linda says

      December 17, 2017 at 10:47 pm

      4 stars
      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 says

        April 11, 2020 at 9:22 pm

        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

        Reply
        • Allyson says

          April 13, 2020 at 11:01 am

          Love those memories!

          Reply
        • Dianne Boomhower says

          October 3, 2020 at 5:07 pm

          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 says

            October 5, 2020 at 12:45 pm

            Interesting! So fun hearing about everyone’s versions!

            Reply
    • Dixie Brown says

      January 29, 2018 at 6:26 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • CW says

        August 31, 2019 at 2:02 pm

        My MIL did the same thing

        Reply
    • Kathryn Jones says

      November 15, 2019 at 9:28 pm

      Same here…pear, cottage cheese, cherry

      Reply
  2. Jen says

    December 13, 2017 at 1:29 pm

    Ok, this is one I’ve never heard of! I love pears so it sounds like I need to give this a try.

    Reply
    • Claudia Savoy says

      December 15, 2017 at 9:41 am

      5 stars
      Also very good with pineapple slices.

      Reply
  3. Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says

    December 13, 2017 at 8:40 pm

    This is a new one for me! I’ve never heard of this dish. I’ll have to give it a try.

    Reply
    • Allyson says

      December 14, 2017 at 12:01 pm

      Try it and let me know how you like it!!!

      Reply
  4. Abeer says

    December 14, 2017 at 2:45 am

    Looks so delicious! I love the flavor combo!

    Reply
    • Allyson says

      December 14, 2017 at 12:01 pm

      Right?!?!

      Reply
  5. carrie @ frugal foodie mama says

    December 14, 2017 at 6:52 am

    I have never heard of this before! I am not sure about that combo, but I will try anything at least once. 😉

    Reply
    • Allyson says

      December 14, 2017 at 12:01 pm

      Happy to hear you would give it a try!

      Reply
      • Pat says

        December 14, 2017 at 11:21 pm

        What is the correct mayo?

        Reply
        • Allyson says

          December 15, 2017 at 10:17 am

          I say BLUE PLATE, but a lot of people also like DUKES!

          Reply
          • lyn says

            December 15, 2017 at 9:47 pm

            We don’t have those brands of mayo in the Midwest.

            Reply
            • Geraldine says

              October 2, 2018 at 4:28 am

              I like Hellman’s mayo but any good mayo will do.

              Reply
        • PJones says

          February 14, 2020 at 7:24 pm

          Duke’s

          Reply
  6. Des says

    December 14, 2017 at 2:16 pm

    5 stars
    Never heard of this southern dish. Will have to give it a try!

    Reply
    • Allyson says

      December 14, 2017 at 10:11 pm

      Try it for sure!

      Reply
  7. Janet says

    December 14, 2017 at 2:58 pm

    I have had it with softened cream cheese. Easy and good tasting.

    Reply
    • Allyson says

      December 14, 2017 at 10:11 pm

      Oh good substitution!!! Love that!

      Reply
  8. Melinda says

    December 14, 2017 at 4:32 pm

    This was a family favorite in my house fifty years ago! Time to bring it back! 🙂

    Reply
    • Allyson says

      December 14, 2017 at 10:11 pm

      Yes!!! Please do!

      Reply
  9. Jane Kochman says

    December 14, 2017 at 8:52 pm

    5 stars
    Dukes!

    Reply
  10. kim mcclanahan says

    December 14, 2017 at 9:56 pm

    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. Delish

    Reply
    • Allyson says

      December 14, 2017 at 10:11 pm

      Oh good tips! I am not a fan of miracle whip, but paprika sounds good!

      Reply
    • PJones says

      February 14, 2020 at 7:33 pm

      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 exspensive

      Reply
  11. Krista says

    December 14, 2017 at 10:52 pm

    These are the most creative thing I have seen today! I love it!

    Reply
  12. Debra Hinson says

    December 15, 2017 at 7:34 am

    5 stars
    It really is good. I’ve eaten this about all of my life. I’m 62 years old.

    Reply
    • Allyson says

      December 15, 2017 at 10:17 am

      I am so happy to hear that! Do you ever try it any other ways?

      Reply
  13. Cathy @ Lemon Tree Dwelling says

    December 21, 2017 at 10:36 am

    I’ve never heard of this but now I feel like I HAVE to try it!

    Reply
  14. Melissa says

    January 8, 2018 at 9:36 pm

    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.!

    Reply
    • Jan says

      February 7, 2018 at 1:55 pm

      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!

      Reply
  15. Betty Blalock says

    January 10, 2018 at 6:23 pm

    My aunt would make this many years ago. She mixed cream cheese and crushed Fritos for the filling. Thanks for jogging my memory!

    Reply
  16. Linda Lanier says

    January 29, 2018 at 5:52 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Allyson says

      January 30, 2018 at 9:57 am

      I will have to try it with the peaches!

      Reply
  17. Lora says

    January 30, 2018 at 10:02 am

    5 stars
    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 says

      January 31, 2018 at 7:44 am

      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!

      Reply
  18. Jan says

    February 7, 2018 at 2:01 pm

    Grew up on the pear & pineapple with Blue Plate mayo. Always had a lettuce leaf underneath them. Delish!!
    Georgia girl all my life!

    Reply
  19. Julie Lampe says

    October 22, 2018 at 7:42 pm

    If you want to get really fancy, you serve it on a piece of iceberg lettuce 😉

    Reply
    • Allyson says

      October 23, 2018 at 12:43 pm

      Love that little touch!

      Reply
  20. Noah Binder says

    November 19, 2018 at 12:50 am

    Ok…stupid question…do you slice it with a knire and eat little cross-sectionw or do you pick it up?

    Reply
    • Allyson says

      November 19, 2018 at 2:31 pm

      I like to cut mine up, but I know a lot of people who just pick it up!

      Reply
  21. Michele Johnson says

    November 20, 2018 at 11:08 am

    Can you use yogurt instead of mayo? My brother is allergic to mayo.

    Reply
    • Allyson says

      November 20, 2018 at 12:07 pm

      Sure! I have heard of people using cottage cheese too!

      Reply
  22. Rebecca says

    March 5, 2019 at 7:13 pm

    two rasins for eyes a cherry nose and Cheese hair and you have a clown!

    Reply
    • Allyson says

      March 7, 2019 at 9:24 am

      That is hilarious!

      Reply
  23. Cheryl Schlegel says

    March 6, 2019 at 11:06 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Allyson says

      March 7, 2019 at 9:21 am

      So many great memories around Pear Salad! It’s a dish that brings everyone together for sure!

      Reply
  24. Laree says

    March 20, 2019 at 11:24 pm

    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.

    Reply
  25. Shannon Graham says

    April 19, 2019 at 11:58 am

    5 stars
    I have to say, I’m southern and I’ve never seen or heard of this before! Looks absolutely delicious!

    Reply
  26. Gretchen M says

    April 19, 2019 at 2:37 pm

    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!

    Reply
  27. Katerina @ diethood .com says

    April 20, 2019 at 9:04 am

    5 stars
    Such an incredible dessert!! Can’t wait to try this recipe!

    Reply
  28. Sara Welch says

    April 20, 2019 at 12:18 pm

    5 stars
    Love how easy and tasty these treats are! Looks like the perfect appetizer!

    Reply
  29. Beth Pierce says

    April 20, 2019 at 1:05 pm

    5 stars
    What a quick and tasty dish! I don’t usually make many meals with pears, but this sounds deliciously sweet not to try!

    Reply
  30. Jade Manning says

    April 21, 2019 at 6:48 am

    5 stars
    These look delicious, I will be making these soon!

    Reply
  31. Taylor says

    April 21, 2019 at 2:56 pm

    5 stars
    I need to give these a try! Sounds yummy!

    Reply
  32. Krista says

    April 22, 2019 at 11:31 am

    5 stars
    Love the use of pear! I have to make these for our next gathering!

    Reply
  33. GAM says

    January 14, 2020 at 12:04 am

    5 stars
    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
  34. Matthew says

    September 9, 2020 at 7:27 pm

    This sounds absolutely disgusting. Weird mid century convenience food should be left in there. It has no place in the modern era.

    Reply
    • Allyson says

      September 10, 2020 at 8:05 pm

      Have you tried it?!?!?

      Reply
  35. Phyllis Howell says

    September 28, 2020 at 10:31 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Allyson says

      September 28, 2020 at 12:00 pm

      MMMMMM!!!!

      Reply
  36. Sandy W. says

    February 9, 2021 at 9:49 am

    5 stars
    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

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