Winter green pear walnuts (Printable)

Crisp winter greens paired with pears and walnuts, dressed in a tangy vinaigrette for a refreshing taste.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Greens

01 - 4 cups mixed winter greens (kale, arugula, baby spinach, frisée)

→ Fruit

02 - 2 ripe pears, cored and thinly sliced

→ Nuts & Cheese

03 - ½ cup walnut halves, lightly toasted
04 - ½ cup crumbled blue cheese or goat cheese (optional)

→ Vinaigrette

05 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
06 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
07 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
08 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
09 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

10 - 2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until emulsified. Set aside.
02 - Place the mixed winter greens in a large salad bowl, then add the thinly sliced pears and toasted walnut halves.
03 - Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to ensure even coating of all ingredients.
04 - Top with crumbled cheese and pomegranate seeds if using, then serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in 15 minutes, but tastes like you spent hours perfecting it.
  • The contrast between bitter greens, sweet pears, and nutty crunch is genuinely addictive.
  • You can make it with whatever winter greens you find—no pressure to match a exact ingredient list.
02 -
  • Toast your own walnuts—this single move transforms the entire salad from background music to a song worth remembering.
  • Slice the pears right before serving, and understand that a pear that's slightly underripe actually holds its shape better than one that's perfectly soft.
  • The acid in the vinaigrette is what makes the bitterness in the greens taste bright rather than harsh; trust that balance.
03 -
  • Make your vinaigrette in the bottom of the bowl before adding greens, then toss everything together—it saves a dish and guarantees even coating.
  • Keep your ingredients cold or at room temperature but never warm; temperature contrast is part of what makes this salad feel refreshing rather than sad.

Go Back