Aged Gouda & Caramelized Pear Salad
A sophisticated salad featuring deeply flavored aged Gouda and sweet caramelized pears, elevated by a tangy apple cider vinaigrette. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 15 minutes pairs mixed greens, thinly sliced ripe pears, cubed aged Gouda cheese into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 cups mixed greens
- 2, thinly sliced ripe pears
- 1/2 cup, cubed aged Gouda cheese
- 1/4 cup, toasted walnuts
- 1/4 cup, thinly sliced red onion
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp honey
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Whisk 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/4 tsp honey, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper in a small bowl until emulsified.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 4 cups mixed greens, 2 thinly sliced ripe pears, 1/2 cup cubed aged Gouda cheese, 1/4 cup toasted walnuts, and 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion.
- Step 3: Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently with clean hands until all ingredients are evenly coated and the greens are lightly dressed.
- Step 4: Let sit for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving to enhance the aged cheese's nutty depth.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Aged Gouda & Caramelized Pear Salad take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Aged Gouda & Caramelized Pear Salad?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep mixed greens from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Aged Gouda & Caramelized Pear Salad?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Aged Gouda & Caramelized Pear Salad for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Aged Gouda & Caramelized Pear Salad?
Mediterranean salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
