Williams Pear and Arugula Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
A crisp, refreshing salad featuring sweet Williams pears and peppery arugula, balanced by a bright lemon vinaigrette. This american-inspired salads ready in about 15 minutes pairs medium Williams pears, Arugula, thinly sliced Red onion 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 300 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 Williams pears
- 4 cups Arugula
- 1/4 cup, thinly sliced Red onion
- 2 tbsp Lemon juice
- 3 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Honey
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/8 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp lemon juice, 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp honey, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper until fully emulsified.
- Step 2: Place 4 cups arugula in a large bowl, add 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion, and arrange 2 thinly sliced Williams pears on top.
- Step 3: Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated and the greens are lightly dressed.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Williams Pear and Arugula Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (15 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 Williams Pear and Arugula Salad with Lemon 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 medium williams pears from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Williams Pear and Arugula Salad with Lemon 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 Williams Pear and Arugula Salad with Lemon 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 Williams Pear and Arugula Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette?
American 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Williams pears are a game-changer in salads. This is now my go-to for summer dinners—simple and elegant.
- ★★★★★
Cooked this for my picky 8-year-old and she devoured the pear slices. The arugula wasn’t overwhelming at all.
- ★★★★★
Made this for a date night and it was a hit—light, fresh, and the lemon vinaigrette tied everything together.
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