Warm Spiced Caramelized Pear and Walnut Salad with Honey-Dijon Dressing

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-01 · Updated 2026-08-01

A refreshing salad combining warm caramelized pears with crunchy walnuts and a honey-Dijon vinaigrette, perfect for a bright yet cozy dish. This Mediterranean-inspired salad recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs ripe pears, walnuts, 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 280 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

• 3 medium ripe pears
• 1/2 cup walnuts
• 5 cups mixed salad greens
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Core and slice 3 medium pears into 1/2-inch thick wedges. In a large skillet, melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Add pears and 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, sauté for 5-6 minutes until pears soften and edges caramelize.
2. Step 2: Meanwhile, toast 1/2 cup walnuts in a dry pan over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove from heat.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
4. Step 4: In a large salad bowl, combine 5 cups mixed salad greens, warm caramelized pears, and toasted walnuts. Drizzle honey-Dijon dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
5. Step 5: Serve immediately while pears are warm for a lovely contrast with crisp greens.