Pear Walnut Maple Vinaigrette (Print Version)

Sliced pears, walnuts, goat cheese, and maple vinaigrette atop crisp greens for a vibrant, flavorful salad.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad Base

01 - 4 cups mixed greens (spinach and arugula)
02 - 2 ripe pears, thinly sliced
03 - 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted
04 - 1/4 cup goat cheese, crumbled

→ Maple Vinaigrette

05 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
06 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
07 - 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup
08 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# Steps to Follow:

01 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, salt, and black pepper until well emulsified.
02 - In a large bowl, gently toss mixed greens, sliced pears, toasted walnuts, and crumbled goat cheese until evenly distributed.
03 - Drizzle maple vinaigrette over the salad just before serving. Toss lightly to coat greens and serve immediately.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Quick to make in under ten minutes
  • Perfect balance of sweet, crunchy, creamy, and fresh
  • Uses easily found pantry and produce staples
  • Impressive for guests but just as welcome for solo lunches
02 -
  • High in vitamins and fiber from both greens and pears
  • Goat cheese adds a rich creamy note without overpowering the salad
  • Perfect for make ahead but add dressing just before serving
03 -
  • Do not skip toasting the walnuts. It warms up their flavor and makes every bite more interesting.
  • Slice pears at the last minute and drizzle with a bit of the dressing to prevent browning if you need to prep ahead.
  • If entertaining, double the vinaigrette and keep it in a small pitcher on the table so guests can add more as they like.
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