Spiced Pear Walnut Salad (Print)

A vibrant salad featuring spiced pears, crunchy walnuts, mixed greens, and a tangy honey-mustard dressing.

# What You Need:

→ Produce

01 - 2 ripe pears, cored and sliced
02 - 4 cups mixed salad greens (arugula, spinach, baby lettuce)
03 - 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced

→ Nuts

04 - 1/2 cup walnut halves

→ Cheese (optional)

05 - 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese or feta

→ Spices & Seasonings

06 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
07 - 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
08 - Pinch of ground black pepper

→ Dressing

09 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
10 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
11 - 1 tablespoon honey
12 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
13 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

# How to Make:

01 - Toast walnut halves in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant. Remove and allow to cool.
02 - In the same skillet, add sliced pears along with cinnamon, nutmeg, and black pepper. Sauté gently for 2 minutes until pears soften and are evenly coated with spices. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
03 - Whisk extra-virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, and salt in a small bowl until emulsified.
04 - Combine mixed salad greens and thinly sliced red onion in a large bowl. Drizzle with half of the dressing and toss gently to coat.
05 - Top the greens with spiced pears, toasted walnuts, and crumbled blue cheese or feta if desired. Drizzle with remaining dressing and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in 20 minutes, so you can have an elegant meal on the table faster than you'd think possible
  • The warm spiced pears create this beautiful contrast with cool, crisp greens that makes every bite feel special
  • It works as a light lunch, a dinner starter, or even a side dish that makes everything else on the plate taste better
02 -
  • The timing of temperatures matters more than you'd think. The warmth from the sautéed pears mingles with the cool greens to create something magic that disappears if you let it sit.
  • Don't peel your pears. The skin holds the slices together and adds visual appeal. Just core them carefully and slice.
  • Toast your walnuts even if you think they're already good. Two minutes changes them from pleasant to unforgettable.
03 -
  • The dressing is where this salad lives. Don't skimp on whisking it. A proper emulsification makes the difference between good and transcendent.
  • Use pears that are just ripe. Too hard and they won't soften properly in those 2 minutes. Too soft and they'll fall apart. That moment right in between is what you're after.
  • If blue cheese isn't your thing but you want that salty, creamy element, try feta or even a sharp aged cheddar. The cheese isn't the point, the balance is.

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