Peppery arugula with sweet pear and candied walnuts
Arugula Pear Salad
Arugula Pear Salad
10 minEasy
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
0 min
Total Time
10 min
Servings
4
4 cups
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Budget
$
Arugula Pear Salad
Peppery arugula with sweet pear and candied walnuts
A refined arugula salad with sliced ripe pear, candied walnuts, shaved Parmesan, and a honey-lemon vinaigrette.
10m
Prep Time
0m
Cook Time
10m
Total Time
4
Servings
Easy
Difficulty
Budget $
Cost
Sarah Chen
(Updated )
This arugula pear salad is the kind of effortlessly elegant dish that works as a first course at a dinner party or a quick weeknight side. Peppery arugula pairs beautifully with sweet, juicy pear slices and the crunch of candied walnuts.
A simple honey-lemon vinaigrette ties everything together without competing with the delicate flavors. A few shaves of good Parmesan add salty depth that makes each bite feel special.
Ingredients
- 5 oz baby arugula
- 2 ripe pears, thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup candied or toasted walnuts
- 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp honey
PrepDaily Use
Test Kitchen Pick
Chef Knife
Helpful Tool
Why a sharp knife helps here
When the recipe is mostly prep, the tool that matters most is the one doing the cutting. A sharp chef’s knife makes the whole process faster and cleaner.
This recipe is won or lost in prep speed and cleaner cuts.
- Speeds up chopping and slicing
- Makes prep more consistent and less frustrating
A good chef’s knife is still the single most useful kitchen upgrade for prep-heavy cooking.
Shop chef knife options for this recipeInstructions
- 1
Arrange baby arugula on a platter or individual plates.
- 2
Fan sliced pear over the arugula. Scatter candied walnuts and shaved Parmesan on top.
- 3
Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper.
- 4
Drizzle vinaigrette over the salad just before serving.
- 5
Finish with a crack of black pepper and serve immediately.
Serving Suggestions
Ways to Serve This Dish
Serve with crusty artisan bread for dipping
Finish with a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil
Pair with a simple arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette
Serve as a light main course or alongside grilled protein
Substitutions
ArugulaMixed baby greens
Milder flavor but still a lovely salad.
PearApple or fig
Both pair well with arugula and Parmesan.
WalnutsPecans or pistachios
Both add crunch and complement the fruit.
DepthPantry
Test Kitchen Pick
Olive Oil
Helpful Pantry Staple
Why the olive oil matters
On recipes like this, olive oil is not just a background fat. A better bottle gives you cleaner flavor and a better finish.
This is one of the few pantry upgrades that keeps paying off every time you cook in this lane.
- Useful in dressings, sauces, and finishing
- Improves flavor without changing the recipe structure
A good bottle of olive oil is one of the safest pantry upgrades for Mediterranean and Italian cooking.
Shop olive oil for this recipeTips & Storage
Pro Tips
Use a ripe but firm pear — too soft and the slices will not hold their shape.
A vegetable peeler is the easiest way to shave Parmesan into thin curls.
Add dried cranberries for a holiday twist.
Storage
Best served immediately. Prep components and store separately for up to 1 day.
Reheating
Not applicable — serve fresh.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (1.5 cups) · 4 servings
Calories200
LowModerateHigh
A light, low-calorie option · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Protein12g
Carbohydrates18g
Fat10g
Fiber2g
Sugar5g
Sodium180mg
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What type of pear is best?
- Bartlett or Anjou pears are ideal — ripe but still firm enough to slice cleanly.
- Can I use a different green?
- Mixed baby greens or spinach work, though arugula's peppery bite is part of the magic.
Explore More
About Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
View all recipes →Some product links on this page may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate RecipePool earns from qualifying purchases.
Featured in: 15-Minute Meals
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