This is the salad you make when you want something that feels a little fancy but takes ten minutes flat. Pear brings soluble fiber and a natural sweetness, walnuts add polyphenols and healthy fats that your gut bacteria genuinely enjoy metabolizing, and the tangy cheese and balsamic pull the whole plate together. No stove required.
Ingredients
- 4 cups mixed salad greens
- 2 pears, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese or feta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Arrange salad greens on a plate and top with sliced pear, walnuts, and cheese.
- Whisk olive oil and balsamic vinegar together and drizzle over the salad before serving.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
| Calories | 230 |
| Total fat | 17g |
| Total carbohydrates | 17g |
| Dietary fiber | 4g |
| Protein | 5g |
| Sodium | 180mg |
Why This Is Good for Your Gut
Pears are one of the higher-fiber fruits, with much of that fiber being soluble pectin that beneficial bacteria ferment into short-chain fatty acids. Walnuts contain polyphenols that studies have linked to increased populations of butyrate-producing bacteria in the gut. Together they support a healthier, more diverse microbial community with almost no effort.
Ten minutes, one plate, and your salad days just got a lot less boring. For other quick, fiber-packed options, try our Quinoa Roasted Vegetable Salad or Roasted Beet Salad with Feta and Walnuts.
This recipe is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional dietary advice.
