Beet Salad with Goat Cheese and Walnuts Recipe
This vibrant Beet Salad with Goat Cheese combines roasted beets, crunchy walnuts, and creamy goat cheese over a bed of mixed baby greens, drizzled with a sweet and tangy maple-orange balsamic dressing. Perfect as a refreshing appetizer or a light meal, this salad balances earthy, sweet, and tangy flavors with a satisfying texture contrast.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 4 medium beets, scrubbed, trimmed, and cut in half
- 1/3 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 (10 ounce) package mixed baby salad greens
- 2 ounces goat cheese
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/2 cup frozen orange juice concentrate
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare beets: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Wrap the halved beets individually in aluminum foil and place them on a baking sheet.
- Roast the beets: Roast the wrapped beets in the preheated oven for about 45 to 60 minutes, or until they are tender when pierced with a fork. Once roasted, allow them to cool, then peel and slice into bite-size pieces.
- Toast the walnuts: While the beets are roasting, toast the chopped walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare the dressing: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, frozen orange juice concentrate (thawed), balsamic vinegar, and extra-virgin olive oil until the dressing is well emulsified and smooth.
- Assemble the salad: In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed baby greens, roasted beet slices, and toasted walnuts. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to evenly coat all ingredients.
- Finish with goat cheese: Crumble the goat cheese over the top of the salad just before serving to add a creamy and tangy contrast to the other flavors.
Notes
- For easier peeling, you can rub the skins off the beets after roasting while they are still warm, using your hands or a paper towel.
- To add more texture, consider adding thinly sliced red onions or avocado slices.
- This salad can be served immediately or chilled for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Walnuts can be substituted with pecans or toasted almonds if preferred.
Keywords: Beet Salad, Goat Cheese Salad, Roasted Beet Salad, Walnut Salad, Maple Dressing, Healthy Salad, Vegetarian Salad