Melted Brie & Cranberry Salad with Juicy Pears, Apples and Feta
Melted Brie & Cranberry Salad with Juicy Pears, Apples and Feta is a colourful salad that brings together crisp apples, juicy pears, tangy cranberries, creamy feta, and warm, melty Brie. Candied walnuts add a delicious crunch, while fresh parsley and thinly sliced red onion bring a bright, savoury contrast.
The cranberry honey dressing ties everything together with a sweet, tangy flavour that complements both the fruit and cheese. Served while the Brie is warm and creamy, this salad makes a beautiful choice for a festive lunch, holiday table, or elegant side dish.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 6 cups mixed salad greens (180 g)
- 1 ripe pear, thinly sliced (180 g)
- 1 crisp apple, thinly sliced (180 g)
- ½ cup dried cranberries (60 g)
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese (75 g)
- 4 oz Brie cheese, cut into small wedges (115 g)
- ½ cup candied walnuts, roughly chopped (60 g)
- ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced (30 g)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (8 g)
For the Cranberry Honey Dressing:
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil (45 ml)
- 2 tbsp cranberry sauce or cranberry preserves (40 g)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (15 ml)
- 1 tbsp honey (21 g)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (5 g)
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (15 ml)
- ¼ tsp salt (1.5 g)
- ⅛ tsp black pepper (0.3 g)
How to Make It
1. Warm the Brie
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the Brie wedges on a small parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving a little space between each piece. Bake for 5–7 minutes, just until the Brie becomes soft and melted while still holding its shape. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly while preparing the salad.
2. Prepare the Salad
Place the mixed salad greens in a large serving bowl or platter. Add the thinly sliced pear and apple, dried cranberries, crumbled feta, sliced red onion, and chopped candied walnuts. Arrange the ingredients evenly so the different colours and textures are visible.
3. Make the Cranberry Honey Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, cranberry sauce or preserves, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Continue whisking until the dressing is smooth and well combined.
4. Dress the Salad
Drizzle about two-thirds of the cranberry honey dressing over the salad. Gently toss everything together, taking care not to break up the feta or bruise the sliced fruit.
5. Add the Warm Brie
Arrange the warm Brie wedges over the top of the salad. Spoon the remaining cranberry dressing lightly over the Brie and surrounding salad, allowing the warm cheese to soften further without completely losing its shape.
6. Finish and Serve
Scatter the chopped fresh parsley over the salad and add a few extra candied walnuts if desired. Serve immediately while the Brie is warm and creamy and the greens and fruit are fresh and crisp.
Why This Recipe Works
This salad combines contrasting textures and flavours in every bite. Crisp apples and juicy pears balance the creamy feta and warm Brie, while dried cranberries provide little bursts of sweetness. Candied walnuts add crunch, and red onion brings a mild savoury bite that keeps the salad from becoming overly sweet.
The cranberry honey dressing brings all the ingredients together with a balanced combination of fruity sweetness, tangy vinegar, fresh lemon, and Dijon mustard. Serving the Brie warm creates an especially inviting contrast against the cool, fresh salad ingredients.
Tips for the Best Melted Brie & Cranberry Salad
- Choose firm fruit: Use a crisp apple and a ripe but firm pear so the slices hold their shape when tossed with the greens.
- Watch the Brie closely: Brie only needs a few minutes in the oven. Remove it as soon as it becomes soft and creamy while still holding its shape.
- Keep the dressing balanced: Whisk the dressing thoroughly so the cranberry preserves, honey, mustard, and olive oil are evenly combined.
- Dress just before serving: Toss the salad shortly before serving to keep the greens fresh and crisp.
- Serve the Brie warm: The salad is at its best when the Brie is still warm and creamy.
- Keep the walnuts crunchy: Add the candied walnuts shortly before serving so they retain their texture.
Serving Suggestions
This salad works beautifully as a festive side dish alongside roasted vegetables, baked chicken, or other simple main courses. It can also be served as a light lunch with crusty bread or a warm grain-based side.
For entertaining, assemble the salad on a large platter and arrange the warm Brie wedges across the top. Finish with parsley, candied walnuts, and a light drizzle of cranberry dressing just before bringing it to the table.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of apple works best in this salad?
A crisp apple with a fresh, slightly sweet or tart flavour works well. The important thing is to choose an apple that stays firm when thinly sliced.
Can I prepare the salad ahead of time?
You can prepare the individual components ahead of time. Slice the fruit, prepare the dressing, and portion the salad ingredients separately, then assemble and dress the salad shortly before serving.
Can I use a different cheese instead of feta?
Yes. If you prefer, a mild crumbly cheese can be used in place of feta. Keep the Brie as the warm cheese component so the salad retains its creamy centrepiece.
Can I use cranberry preserves instead of cranberry sauce?
Yes. Either cranberry sauce or cranberry preserves works in the dressing. Choose whichever has the texture and sweetness you prefer.
How do I keep the Brie from melting too much?
Bake the Brie only until it becomes soft and creamy. The short baking time helps it warm through while allowing the wedges to retain their shape.
Can the dressing be made ahead?
Yes. The cranberry honey dressing can be whisked together ahead of serving and kept covered until needed. Give it another quick whisk before drizzling over the salad.
Nutrition & Timing
| Details | Amount |
|---|---|
| Servings | 6 |
| Calories | 385 |
| Protein | 10 g |
| Carbohydrates | 35 g |
| Fat | 24 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 24 g |
| Sodium | 520 mg |
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time | 5–7 minutes |
| Total Time | 20–22 minutes |
Final Thoughts
Melted Brie & Cranberry Salad with Juicy Pears, Apples and Feta is an easy way to make a simple green salad feel special. The combination of warm Brie, fresh fruit, creamy feta, crunchy candied walnuts, and cranberry dressing gives the dish plenty of colour, texture, and flavour.
For the best presentation and texture, assemble the salad just before serving and add the warm Brie at the very end. A final sprinkle of fresh parsley and candied walnuts makes this colourful salad ready for the table.
Print
Melted Brie & Cranberry Salad with Juicy Pears, Apples and Feta
- Total Time: 20–22 minutes
Description
A colourful festive salad combining crisp apples, juicy pears, dried cranberries, creamy feta, warm melted Brie, and crunchy candied walnuts, all finished with a sweet and tangy cranberry honey dressing.
Ingredients
For the Salad
6 cups mixed salad greens (180 g)
1 ripe pear, thinly sliced (180 g)
1 crisp apple, thinly sliced (180 g)
1/2 cup dried cranberries (60 g)
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (75 g)
4 oz Brie cheese, cut into small wedges (115 g)
1/2 cup candied walnuts, roughly chopped (60 g)
1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced (30 g)
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (8 g)
For the Cranberry Honey Dressing
3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil (45 ml)
2 tbsp cranberry sauce or cranberry preserves (40 g)
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (15 ml)
1 tbsp honey (21 g)
1 tsp Dijon mustard (5 g)
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (15 ml)
1/4 tsp salt (1.5 g)
1/8 tsp black pepper (0.3 g)
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the Brie wedges on a small parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving a little space between each piece.
2. Bake the Brie for 5–7 minutes, just until it becomes soft and melted while still holding its shape. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly.
3. Place the mixed salad greens in a large serving bowl or platter. Add the thinly sliced pear and apple, dried cranberries, crumbled feta, sliced red onion, and chopped candied walnuts.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, cranberry sauce or preserves, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
5. Drizzle about two-thirds of the cranberry honey dressing over the salad and gently toss, taking care not to break up the feta or bruise the fruit.
6. Arrange the warm Brie wedges over the top of the salad.
7. Spoon the remaining cranberry dressing lightly over the Brie and surrounding salad.
8. Scatter the chopped fresh parsley over the salad and add a few extra candied walnuts if desired.
9. Serve immediately while the Brie is warm and creamy and the greens and fruit are fresh and crisp.
Notes
Use a crisp apple and a ripe but firm pear so the fruit holds its shape when tossed with the greens. Watch the Brie closely while baking. Remove it as soon as it becomes soft and creamy while still holding its shape. Whisk the cranberry dressing thoroughly so the cranberry preserves, honey, mustard, and olive oil are evenly combined. Dress the salad shortly before serving to keep the greens fresh and crisp. Serve the Brie warm for the best contrast with the cool fruit and greens. Add the candied walnuts shortly before serving so they retain their crunch. Prepare the individual salad components ahead of time, but assemble and dress the salad shortly before serving. A mild crumbly cheese can be used instead of feta, while keeping the Brie as the warm cheese component. Either cranberry sauce or cranberry preserves works well in the dressing. The dressing can be prepared ahead and kept covered until needed. Give it another quick whisk before serving. Serve as a festive side dish with roasted vegetables, baked chicken, crusty bread, or a warm grain-based side.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5–7 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
