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!
Looking for more potluck recipes? Checkout these popular options from Domestic Superhero:
- BEST Summer Potluck Recipes
- Honey Lime Fruit Salad
- Carrot Cake Trifle (shortcut and homemade recipes)
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings (super crispy)
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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!
- 2 cans pear halves, drained
- ½-3/4 cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- maraschino cherries, optional
-
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!
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Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Video
- When not eating, keep refrigerated.
- Can be made night before and stored covered in the refrigerator.
Originally Published 12/2017
Deloris says
Well I don't ave any southern roots but I have been making this all my married life(64years)! I use cottage cheese though.
Allyson says
Wow!!! That is amazing and CONGRATS on such an amazing marriage!!!
Deloris says
THANK YOU! And Merry Christmas.
Allyson says
You too!!
Teresa H. says
So do I, and I've lived all my life in the south!
Linda says
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 .
Suzee says
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
Allyson says
Love those memories!
Dianne Boomhower says
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.
Allyson says
Interesting! So fun hearing about everyone's versions!
Rj says
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 McClure
Dixie Brown says
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!
CW says
My MIL did the same thing
Kathryn Jones says
Same here...pear, cottage cheese, cherry
Jen says
Ok, this is one I've never heard of! I love pears so it sounds like I need to give this a try.
Claudia Savoy says
Also very good with pineapple slices.
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
This is a new one for me! I've never heard of this dish. I'll have to give it a try.
Allyson says
Try it and let me know how you like it!!!
Abeer says
Looks so delicious! I love the flavor combo!
Allyson says
Right?!?!
carrie @ frugal foodie mama says
I have never heard of this before! I am not sure about that combo, but I will try anything at least once. 😉
Allyson says
Happy to hear you would give it a try!
Pat says
What is the correct mayo?
Allyson says
I say BLUE PLATE, but a lot of people also like DUKES!
lyn says
We don't have those brands of mayo in the Midwest.
Geraldine says
I like Hellman's mayo but any good mayo will do.
PJones says
Duke’s
Linda says
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.
Linda says
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.
Allyson says
Blue plate is also a great option if you can't find Duke's!
Carol says
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.
Des says
Never heard of this southern dish. Will have to give it a try!
Allyson says
Try it for sure!
Janet says
I have had it with softened cream cheese. Easy and good tasting.
Allyson says
Oh good substitution!!! Love that!
Melinda says
This was a family favorite in my house fifty years ago! Time to bring it back! 🙂
Allyson says
Yes!!! Please do!
Jane Kochman says
Dukes!
kim mcclanahan says
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
Allyson says
Oh good tips! I am not a fan of miracle whip, but paprika sounds good!
PJones says
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
Krista says
These are the most creative thing I have seen today! I love it!
Debra Hinson says
It really is good. I've eaten this about all of my life. I'm 62 years old.
Allyson says
I am so happy to hear that! Do you ever try it any other ways?
Cathy @ Lemon Tree Dwelling says
I've never heard of this but now I feel like I HAVE to try it!
Melissa says
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.!
Jan says
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!
Betty Blalock says
My aunt would make this many years ago. She mixed cream cheese and crushed Fritos for the filling. Thanks for jogging my memory!
Linda Lanier says
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.
Allyson says
I will have to try it with the peaches!
Lora says
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?
Allyson says
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!
Jan says
Grew up on the pear & pineapple with Blue Plate mayo. Always had a lettuce leaf underneath them. Delish!!
Georgia girl all my life!
Julie Lampe says
If you want to get really fancy, you serve it on a piece of iceberg lettuce 😉
Allyson says
Love that little touch!
Noah Binder says
Ok...stupid question...do you slice it with a knire and eat little cross-sectionw or do you pick it up?
Allyson says
I like to cut mine up, but I know a lot of people who just pick it up!
Michele Johnson says
Can you use yogurt instead of mayo? My brother is allergic to mayo.
Allyson says
Sure! I have heard of people using cottage cheese too!
Rebecca says
two rasins for eyes a cherry nose and Cheese hair and you have a clown!
Allyson says
That is hilarious!
Cheryl Schlegel says
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.
Allyson says
So many great memories around Pear Salad! It's a dish that brings everyone together for sure!
Laree says
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.
Shannon Graham says
I have to say, I'm southern and I've never seen or heard of this before! Looks absolutely delicious!
Gretchen M says
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!
Katerina @ diethood .com says
Such an incredible dessert!! Can't wait to try this recipe!
Sara Welch says
Love how easy and tasty these treats are! Looks like the perfect appetizer!
Beth Pierce says
What a quick and tasty dish! I don't usually make many meals with pears, but this sounds deliciously sweet not to try!
Jade Manning says
These look delicious, I will be making these soon!
Dee Provan says
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
Allyson says
I love hearing these stories, thank you for sharing Dee!
Taylor says
I need to give these a try! Sounds yummy!
Krista says
Love the use of pear! I have to make these for our next gathering!
GAM says
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!!
Matthew says
This looks disgusting definitely not making this anytime soon.
Allyson says
Have you even tried it!?!?!
Samantha says
"Sounds disgusting" is not representative of how it tastes. Why would you make such a comment without trying it first?
Jen says
Well, I like it. I’m sure your kids will grow up and hate your food too. Get over it
Allyson says
Some people are so negative! I hope you love Pear salad Jen!
Phyllis Howell says
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.
Allyson says
MMMMMM!!!!
Sandy W. says
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.
Sue says
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.
Allyson says
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!
Nelda says
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!
Fran says
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!