Beet Goat Cheese Walnuts Salad (Print View)

A refreshing mix of roasted beets, goat cheese, walnuts, and leafy greens with a zesty dressing for light meals.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 medium beets (about 1.1 lbs), trimmed and scrubbed
02 - 4 cups mixed salad greens (arugula, spinach, baby lettuce)

→ Dairy

03 - 3.5 oz goat cheese, crumbled

→ Nuts

04 - ½ cup walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped

→ Dressing

05 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
06 - 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
07 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
08 - 1 tsp honey
09 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Step-by-Step Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Wrap each beet individually in aluminum foil and place on a baking sheet. Roast for 40 to 45 minutes until tender when pierced.
02 - Allow roasted beets to cool slightly, then peel and slice into bite-sized wedges.
03 - Whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until well combined.
04 - Toss mixed salad greens with half of the dressing in a large bowl to coat evenly.
05 - Arrange dressed greens on a serving platter; top with beet wedges, crumbled goat cheese, and toasted walnuts.
06 - Drizzle remaining dressing over the salad immediately before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It looks restaurant-worthy but comes together in just over an hour, making you feel like a genius cook without the stress
  • The earthy sweetness of roasted beets paired with tangy goat cheese creates a flavor moment that tastes indulgent but is actually quite light
  • Those toasted walnuts add a satisfying crunch that keeps every bite interesting, and somehow makes an ordinary lunch feel special
02 -
  • Don't skip toasting the walnuts—raw ones are fine, but toasted ones are transcendent. Five minutes in a dry skillet transforms them entirely.
  • Serve the salad shortly after assembling if you want it to maintain its architectural beauty, but know that the flavors actually deepen as things sit together, so leftovers are secretly wonderful.
03 -
  • Make the dressing first and let it sit for a few minutes—the flavors marry and become more complex, more intentional
  • If you're preparing ahead, keep the beets, greens, and cheese separate until the last moment. Assembly just before serving is what keeps this salad looking like it came from somewhere special

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