Honey-Roasted Pear and Walnut Salad with Balsamic Glaze
Sweet roasted pears paired with crunchy walnuts and peppery greens, drizzled with a tangy balsamic glaze for a sophisticated salad. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 30 minutes pairs roughly chopped walnuts, mixed greens, olive oil 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 210 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, cored and sliced into 1/2 inch wedges ripe pears
- 1/2 cup, roughly chopped walnuts
- 5 cups mixed greens
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a bowl, toss 2 medium sliced pears with 2 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp honey until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Spread pears on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and roast for 15 minutes until tender and caramelized at edges.
- Step 3: While pears roast, toast 1/2 cup chopped walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove from heat.
- Step 4: In a small saucepan, heat 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar over medium heat. Simmer gently for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until reduced by half and syrupy.
- Step 5: In a large bowl, combine 5 cups mixed greens with roasted pears and toasted walnuts. Drizzle with balsamic glaze, sprinkle 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, and toss gently to coat.
- Step 6: Serve immediately as a fresh and elegant starter or side dish.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honey-Roasted Pear and Walnut Salad with Balsamic Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Honey-Roasted Pear and Walnut Salad with Balsamic Glaze?
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 roughly chopped walnuts from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Honey-Roasted Pear and Walnut Salad with Balsamic Glaze?
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 Honey-Roasted Pear and Walnut Salad with Balsamic Glaze 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 Honey-Roasted Pear and Walnut Salad with Balsamic Glaze?
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.
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