Glazed Middle-Aged Pear and Walnut Salad with Honey-Mustard Dressing

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A refreshing salad featuring ripe pears glazed with honey and toasted walnuts, tossed in a tangy honey-mustard dressing for a perfect balance of sweet and savory. This Middle Eastern recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs ripe pears, walnuts, mixed salad greens 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 220 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat a small skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup walnuts and toast for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove walnuts and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp honey and 1 tbsp olive oil. Add 2 medium cored and sliced pears and sauté for 3-4 minutes until the slices are glazed and slightly softened but still hold their shape.
  3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
  4. Step 4: In a large salad bowl, combine 4 cups mixed salad greens, the glazed pear slices, and toasted walnuts. Drizzle with the honey-mustard dressing and toss gently to coat evenly before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Glazed Middle-Aged Pear and Walnut Salad with Honey-Mustard Dressing take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 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 Glazed Middle-Aged Pear and Walnut Salad with Honey-Mustard Dressing?

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 ripe pears from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Glazed Middle-Aged Pear and Walnut Salad with Honey-Mustard Dressing?

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 Glazed Middle-Aged Pear and Walnut Salad with Honey-Mustard Dressing 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 Glazed Middle-Aged Pear and Walnut Salad with Honey-Mustard Dressing?

Mediterranean middle eastern 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.

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