Winter Green Salad Pear (Printable)

Crisp winter greens combined with pears, toasted walnuts, and a tangy vinaigrette for a fresh, light dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad

01 - 3.5 oz baby kale or mixed winter greens
02 - 3.5 oz arugula
03 - 2 ripe pears, cored and thinly sliced
04 - 2.1 oz walnuts, roughly chopped
05 - 2.1 oz crumbled blue cheese or goat cheese (optional)
06 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
07 - Seeds from 1 pomegranate (optional)

→ Dressing

08 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
09 - 1.5 tbsp apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar
10 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
11 - 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - Toast walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
02 - Place baby kale, arugula, sliced pears, red onion, pomegranate seeds (if using), and cooled walnuts in a large salad bowl.
03 - Whisk together olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl or jar until fully emulsified.
04 - Drizzle the dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently to coat evenly.
05 - Top the salad with crumbled blue or goat cheese if desired, then serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It takes less time than waiting for takeout and uses whatever greens you have on hand.
  • The sweet pear against peppery arugula is the kind of contrast that wakes up your palate mid-winter.
  • Toasting the walnuts fills the kitchen with a warm, nutty smell that makes even a simple salad feel intentional.
02 -
  • Do not dress the salad until the moment you're ready to eat, dressed greens turn soggy and sad within 10 minutes.
  • If your pears are underripe, slice them thin and let them sit at room temperature for 20 minutes, they'll soften just enough.
  • Taste the dressing before you pour it on, every vinegar and mustard brand tastes different and you might need more honey or salt.
03 -
  • Use your hands to toss the salad, it's gentler than spoons and you can feel when the dressing is evenly distributed.
  • If you're serving this to guests, plate it individually so everyone gets an even mix of greens, pears, and toppings.
  • A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top just before serving makes every bite taste brighter.

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