Cinnamon-Spiced Pear and Walnut Salad with Maple Vinaigrette

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-02 · Updated 2026-05-02

A bright and festive salad featuring crisp pears, toasted walnuts, and a warm cinnamon-maple dressing that complements holiday meals beautifully. This Mediterranean-inspired Christmas recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 15 minutes, pairs mixed salad greens, ripe Bosc pears, toasted walnuts for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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 "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

• 5 cups mixed salad greens
• 2 medium, thinly sliced ripe Bosc pears
• 1/2 cup, roughly chopped toasted walnuts
• 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp maple syrup, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until the dressing is emulsified and smooth.
2. Step 2: In a large salad bowl, combine 5 cups mixed salad greens, 2 thinly sliced ripe Bosc pears, and 1/2 cup toasted roughly chopped walnuts. Toss gently.
3. Step 3: Drizzle the prepared cinnamon-maple dressing over the salad mixture and toss again until all ingredients are lightly coated.
4. Step 4: Sprinkle 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese evenly on top and serve immediately for a fresh and festive holiday salad.