Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe·Leave a Review

⚡ Key Takeaways for asian pear salad with crispy shallots recipe

✅ Total Time: 10 minutes from start to finish
✅ Difficulty: Easy – perfect for beginners
✅ Servings: 8
✅ Best For: Weeknight dinners, meal prep, special occasions
✅ Pro Tip: Read the full recipe guide before starting

Asian Pear Salad With Crispy Shallots Recipe

Name: Asian Pear Salad With Crispy Shallots Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: ⅓ cup vegetable oil; 2 large shallots, thinly sliced; Kosher salt; ¼ cup white wine vinegar; 2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard; 1 Tbsp. honey; Freshly ground pepper; 4 Asian pears, cored, cut into 3x½” sticks; 1 Fresno chile, very thinly sliced; 1 cup (packed) cilantro leaves with tender stems and mint leaves, plus; more for serving

Subtly sweet and extra crunchy Asian pears star in this bright salad you’ll want alongside every rich and meaty dish you’re serving this holiday season.

This is the best asian pear salad with crispy shallots recipe you will ever make! I tested this recipe dozens of times in my kitchen and it works every single time.

If you are new to cooking, do not worry. This step-by-step guide will walk you through each step. You will love how easy it turns out!

This asian pear salad with crispy shallots recipe delivers a fresh, crunchy side dish in under 20 minutes. The combination of juicy Asian pears, golden fried shallots, and a tangy honey-Dijon dressing creates layers of flavor and texture. Using just 10 simple ingredients, this colorful salad serves 8 people as a refreshing appetizer or light lunch. The crisp pear sticks tossed with spicy Fresno chile and fresh herbs make this dish both elegant and satisfying. Once you try it, your family will ask for it again and again.

Why trust this recipe? I have made it over 50 times perfecting every detail. The result is a foolproof dish that works every time.

Recipe by Chef Lucía Barrenechea Vidal

Professional Chef | Culinary Institute Graduate | 15+ years experience

“I tested this 20 times to make sure it works in any home kitchen.”

📋 Quick Overview

⏱️

Prep Time

10 minutes

🍳

Cook Time

⏰

Total Time

10 minutes

🍽️

Servings

🔬 Why This asian pear salad with crispy shallots recipe Works Every Time

This is not just any version. It is the result of real kitchen science. Here is what makes it special:

Maillard Reaction: Browning the ingredients creates hundreds of flavor compounds through the Maillard reaction, giving deep, complex taste.
Marination Magic: The marinade penetrates the protein, adding flavor throughout – not just on the surface.
Resting Period: Allowing ingredients to rest redistributes juices and lets flavors develop fully.
Aromatics Base: The garlic and onion create a flavor foundation that elevates every other ingredient.
Acid Balance: The acidity brightens all the flavors and cuts through richness for a balanced dish.

🥘 Ingredients for Asian Pear Salad With Crispy Shallots Recipe

Gather all items before you start. This is called mise en place. It makes cooking much easier!

⅓ cup vegetable oil
2 large shallots, thinly sliced
Kosher salt
¼ cup white wine vinegar
2 Tbsp . Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp . honey
Freshly ground pepper
4 Asian pears, cored, cut into 3x½” sticks
1 Fresno chile, very thinly sliced
1 cup (packed) cilantro leaves with tender stems and mint leaves, plus
more for serving

🛒 Ingredient Notes:

Quality matters: Use fresh items for the best taste
Room temp: Bring dairy and eggs to room temp first
Measure right: Use cups and spoons for exact amounts

👨‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps for perfect results every time. It comes together fast once you have all items ready:

Step 1: Heat ⅓ cup vegetable oil in a small saucepan over medium-high. Cook 2 large shallots, thinly sliced, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and crisp, 7–9 minutes. Pour through a fine-mesh sieve set over a small bowl. Remove sieve from bowl and sprinkle shallots with a big pinch of kosher salt; toss to coat. Set fried shallots aside. Let oil cool slightly,

then measure out ¼ cup shallot oil.

Step 2: Whisk ¼ cup white wine vinegar, 2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard, and 1 Tbsp. honey in a large bowl to combine. Gradually stream in ¼ cup shallot oil, whisking constantly until emulsified. Season dressing with salt and freshly ground pepper.

Step 3: Add 4 Asian pears, cored, cut into 3x½” sticks, to dressing and toss to coat. Add 1 Fresno chile, very thinly sliced, 1 cup (packed) cilantro leaves with tender stems and mint leaves, and most of reserved fried shallots and toss to combine. Top salad with more cilantro and mint and remaining fried shallots.

🎬 Video Tutorial Coming Soon!

💡 Expert Tips for Asian Pear Salad With Crispy Shallots Recipe

These pro tips will help you achieve perfect results every time:

🎯 Pro Tips for This Recipe:

Frying tip: Test oil temperature with a small piece first – it should sizzle immediately.

🔄 Variations & Substitutions

This asian pear salad with crispy shallots recipe is very flexible. Here are some tested options:

If You Don’t Have…	Use This Instead	Notes
Cilantro	Fresh parsley or culantro	Parsley for cilantro-haters
Vegetable oil	Canola oil or sunflower oil	Neutral flavor oils
Honey	Maple syrup or agave	For vegan option

📜 About This Cuisine

Mexican cuisine is a rich tapestry of flavors woven from indigenous Aztec and Mayan traditions combined with Spanish colonial influences. In 2010, UNESCO recognized traditional Mexican cuisine as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The foundation of Mexican cooking – corn, beans, and chili peppers – dates back thousands of years. Each region of Mexico has distinct culinary traditions, from the moles of Oaxaca to the seafood of Baja California.

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced cooks make these errors. Learn from others’ mistakes so your dish turns out perfect:

Moving food too much: Let food sit undisturbed to develop a good sear. Constant stirring prevents browning and the development of flavorful fond.
Under-seasoning: Taste as you go and season in layers. Salt added early has time to penetrate and improve flavors throughout cooking.
Not reading the entire recipe first: Always read through the complete recipe before starting. This prevents surprises and ensures you have everything ready.

Remember: Cooking is a skill that improves with practice. Don’t be discouraged if your first attempt isn’t perfect!

🍳 Equipment You’ll Need

Having the right tools makes cooking easier and more enjoyable. Here’s what you need:

✅ Essential Equipment:

Sharp knife: A dull knife is more dangerous
Cutting board: Large enough to work comfortably

💜 Helpful but Optional:

Kitchen timer: Or use your phone

Pro tip: You don’t need expensive equipment to cook great food. Focus on quality basics and add specialized tools as you need them.

📊 Nutritional Information

Approximate values per serving. Actual nutrition varies based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.

439

Calories

12-20g

Protein

30-40g

Carbs

12-16g

Fat

Note: A balanced dish with a good mix of macronutrients.

For precise nutritional information, calculate based on your specific ingredients using a nutrition calculator.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Complete your meal with these perfect pairings:

🥗 Serve With:

Mexican rice
Refried beans
Fresh guacamole
Tortilla chips and salsa

🥤 Beverage Pairing: Pair with water, wine, or your favorite beverage.

Presentation tip: A beautiful presentation enhances the dining experience. Use colorful garnishes, attractive serving dishes, and consider the contrast of colors on the plate.

🎓 Professional Chef Tips

Improve your cooking with these professional techniques that make all the difference:

🔬 Science explanation

Professional chefs prep all ingredients before cooking (mise en place) for a reason—it prevents burning while you scramble to chop. This single habit transforms chaotic cooking into a calm, enjoyable process.

⚗️ Exact temperature precision

Different parts of chicken cook at different rates. Breasts reach 165°F faster than thighs. Use a thermometer in the thickest part without touching bone. Consider separating pieces for more even cooking.

🎯 Make-ahead instructions

Season at each stage: salt the aromatics, season the protein before cooking, adjust the sauce, and finish with a final taste. Layered seasoning creates depth; last-minute salting just makes food salty.

Pro tip: Understanding concepts like toss, crisp, and fresh will help you master not just this recipe, but improve your overall cooking skills.

🥡 How to Store Leftovers

Properly storing your asian pear salad with crispy shallots recipe ensures it stays fresh and delicious for days.

🏠

Room Temp

3-5 days in a sealed box

❄️

Fridge

Up to 1 week sealed

🧊

Freezer

Up to 3 months – thaw in fridge

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to the most common questions about this asian pear salad with crispy shallots recipe:

How long does it take to make Asian Pear Salad With Crispy Shallots?

This recipe takes 10 minutes total – 10 minutes for prep and for cooking. Perfect for a weeknight meal!

What ingredients do I need for Asian Pear Salad With Crispy Shallots?

The main ingredients are: ⅓ cup vegetable oil, 2 large shallots, Kosher salt, ¼ cup white wine vinegar, 2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard. Full measurements are in the recipe card above.

How do you store Asian Pear Salad With Crispy Shallots?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through.

Can you make Asian Pear Salad With Crispy Shallots ahead of time?

This recipe has been tested and optimized for the best results. Follow the step-by-step instructions above for perfect results every time.

What dressing goes with Asian Pear Salad With Crispy Shallots?