Spiced Pear Walnut Salad (Printable)
Refreshing salad with spiced pears, toasted walnuts, and tangy honey-mustard dressing.
# What You'll 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 Steps:
01 - Toast the walnut halves in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
02 - Using the same skillet, add sliced pears, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and black pepper. Sauté gently for 2 minutes until the pears soften slightly and are well coated with spices. Remove from heat and let cool briefly.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, and salt until the dressing is fully emulsified.
04 - In a large bowl, toss mixed salad greens with thinly sliced red onion. Drizzle with half of the dressing and toss to evenly coat.
05 - Top the dressed greens with spiced pears and toasted walnuts. Add crumbled blue cheese or feta if desired. Drizzle with the remaining dressing.
06 - Serve immediately to enjoy the freshness and texture contrast.
# Expert Pointers:
01 -
- The pears caramelize just enough to concentrate their sweetness while the spices whisper in the background like a secret
- It comes together in twenty minutes but tastes like you've been cooking all afternoon
- This is the salad that transforms a simple lunch into something that feels intentional and special
02 -
- Don't slice your pears until you're ready to cook them—they'll brown quickly, and while that won't hurt the taste, it changes how beautiful they look
- The magic of this salad is the contrast between warm and cold, so serve it as soon as it's assembled
- Toasting the walnuts yourself is the moment that separates good from unforgettable
03 -
- The moment the walnuts become fragrant is the moment they're done—don't let them go a shade darker or you've crossed into bitter
- Warm pears on cold greens is the secret to this salad's sophistication—the contrast makes each element taste like more of itself
- Always taste your dressing before it meets the salad—this is your last chance to adjust the balance to what your palate is craving that day