Caramelized Pear and Pomegranate Salad with Toasted Walnuts

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-06 · Updated 2026-05-06

A vibrant salad combining sweet caramelized pears, tart pomegranate seeds, and crunchy toasted walnuts, dressed with a honey-lemon vinaigrette. This Mediterranean Christmas recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 20 minutes, pairs ripe pears, pomegranate seeds, and walnuts for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Build a week of meals around this recipe" 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

• 2 medium ripe pears, sliced
• 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
• 1/3 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
• 2 tbsp butter
• 5 cups mixed salad greens
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tbsp butter. Add 2 medium sliced pears and sauté for 5-6 minutes until golden and caramelized on edges, stirring gently.
2. Step 2: While pears cook, toast 1/3 cup roughly chopped walnuts in a dry pan over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned, then set aside to cool.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tbsp honey, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
4. Step 4: In a large salad bowl, combine 5 cups mixed salad greens, caramelized pears, 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds, and toasted walnuts. Drizzle with vinaigrette and toss gently to coat evenly before serving.