Beet and Goat Cheese Salad

Beet and Goat Cheese Salad

A vibrant, satisfying salad built on tender roasted beets, creamy crumbled goat cheese, candied walnuts, and peppery arugula, all tied together with a bright balsamic vinaigrette. It works beautifully as a starter or a light lunch, and the components can be prepped ahead so assembly takes minutes.

4 servings · Prep 15 min · Cook 45 min · Total 60 min

American · French · Salad · Lunch

Main

  • 4 medium beets trimmed, scrubbed
  • a mix of red and golden
  • 1 tbsp olive oil for roasting beets
  • 5 oz baby arugula or mixed spring greens
  • mixed spring greens
  • 4 oz goat cheese cold, crumbled
  • 0.5 cup walnuts roughly chopped; toasted or candied
  • candied
  • 0.25 small red onion very thinly sliced
  • 0.25 tsp kosher salt plus more
  • 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper

Vinaigrette

  • 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar good quality
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1 clove garlic minced or pressed

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Aluminum Foil
  • Baking Sheet
  • Parchment Paper
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Baking Pan
  • Paper Towel
  • Whisk
  • Knife
  • Jelly Roll (10x15)
  • Cutting Board
  • Mixing Bowl (4 Quarts)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your #[Oven] to ![400°F]. Drizzle the scrubbed @[Beets] with ~[1 tablespoon] of @[Olive Oil] and wrap each one individually in #[Aluminum Foil]. Place them on a #[Baking Sheet] and roast for ~[40–50 minutes], until a knife slides in easily. Unwrap and let cool for ~[10 minutes], then rub off the skins with a paper towel. Cut into ½-inch wedges or cubes.
  2. In a small #[Mixing Bowl], whisk together the @[Balsamic Vinegar], @[Dijon Mustard], @[Honey], and minced @[Garlic]. Slowly drizzle in the ~[3 tablespoons] of @[Extra-Virgin Olive Oil] while whisking constantly until the dressing is emulsified. Season with @[Salt] and @[Black Pepper] to taste.
  3. While the @[Beets] roast, spread the @[Walnuts] in a single layer on a dry corner of the #[Baking Sheet] (or a separate small #[Baking Pan]) and toast in the #[Oven] for ~[5–7 minutes], until fragrant and lightly golden. Watch closely — they go from toasted to burnt quickly. Let cool.
  4. Add the @[Arugula] to a large salad #[Mixing Bowl] and drizzle with about two-thirds of the vinaigrette. Toss gently to coat. Arrange the roasted @[Beet] pieces over the greens, then scatter the crumbled @[Goat Cheese], toasted @[Walnuts], and sliced @[Red Onion] on top. Drizzle the remaining dressing over everything and serve immediately.