Description
Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Salad is a vibrant, earthy salad featuring tender, sweet roasted beets paired with creamy goat cheese, crisp mixed greens, crunchy nuts, and a tangy balsamic vinaigrette. This Mediterranean-inspired dish is elegant yet simple, perfect for holiday meals, dinner parties, or a light and flavorful lunch or side dish.
Ingredients
Salad
- 4 medium beets, peeled and cubed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 6 cups mixed greens or arugula
- ½ cup crumbled goat cheese
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
Vinaigrette
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp honey
- ½ tsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for roasting the beets.
- Prepare Beets: Toss the peeled and cubed beets with olive oil, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
- Roast Beets: Spread the beets on a baking sheet in a single layer and roast in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the beets are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Cool Beets: Remove the beets from the oven and let them cool slightly to room temperature.
- Make Vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until the dressing is emulsified and smooth.
- Assemble Salad: In a large bowl, combine the mixed greens, roasted beets, thinly sliced red onion, and chopped nuts.
- Dress Salad: Drizzle the prepared vinaigrette over the salad ingredients and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
- Add Goat Cheese: Sprinkle the crumbled goat cheese on top of the salad as a finishing touch.
- Serve: Serve the salad immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Wear gloves when handling beets to avoid staining your hands.
- Roasted beets can be prepared up to 2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator for convenience.
- Add fresh orange segments to the salad for a burst of natural sweetness and citrus flavor.
- Using arugula instead of mixed greens adds a peppery bite to complement the sweetness of the beets.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Salad, Side Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired
