Spiced Roasted Chestnut and Pear Salad with Maple Vinaigrette

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-26 · Updated 2026-04-26

A festive autumn salad combining warm roasted chestnuts and sweet pears tossed in a maple vinaigrette for a seasonal treat. This Mediterranean-inspired Christmas recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 35 minutes, pairs chestnuts, ripe pears, mixed salad greens for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 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

• 12 oz chestnuts
• 2 medium ripe pears
• 5 cups mixed salad greens
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Score and roast 12 oz chestnuts on a baking sheet for 20 minutes until shells peel easily and nuts are tender and fragrant. Let cool, then peel off shells and chop roughly.
2. Step 2: Core and thinly slice 2 medium ripe pears. Combine with 5 cups mixed salad greens in a large bowl.
3. Step 3: Whisk together 2 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified and slightly thickened.
4. Step 4: Toss the salad greens, pears, and chopped chestnuts with the maple vinaigrette until evenly coated and serve immediately.