Cognac-Soaked Pear and Walnut Salad with Honey Vinaigrette
Fresh pears soaked in cognac, tossed with crunchy walnuts and mixed greens, finished with a honey mustard vinaigrette. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 20 minutes pairs medium, thinly sliced ripe pears, cognac, mixed salad greens 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 180 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 2 medium, thinly sliced ripe pears
- 1/4 cup cognac
- 5 cups mixed salad greens
- 1/2 cup, toasted and chopped walnuts
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 2 thinly sliced ripe pears in a shallow bowl and pour 1/4 cup cognac over them. Let soak at room temperature for 15 minutes to soften and infuse flavor.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
- Step 3: In a large salad bowl, combine 5 cups mixed salad greens with 1/2 cup toasted and chopped walnuts.
- Step 4: Drain pears from cognac and add to the salad. Drizzle with the prepared honey vinaigrette and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Step 5: Serve immediately as a light and refreshing starter or side dish.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cognac-Soaked Pear and Walnut Salad with Honey Vinaigrette take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (20 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 Cognac-Soaked Pear and Walnut Salad with Honey Vinaigrette?
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 cognac from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cognac-Soaked Pear and Walnut Salad with Honey Vinaigrette?
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 Cognac-Soaked Pear and Walnut Salad with Honey Vinaigrette for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Cognac-Soaked Pear and Walnut Salad with Honey Vinaigrette?
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.
Related recipes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
