Roasted Beet Goat Cheese Salad (Printable)

Sweet roasted beets paired with tangy goat cheese, toasted walnuts, and fresh arugula in a bright balsamic dressing.

# Ingredient list:

→ Vegetables

01 - 3 medium beets, trimmed and scrubbed
02 - 5 oz baby arugula

→ Cheese & Nuts

03 - 4 oz creamy goat cheese, crumbled
04 - 1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped

→ Dressing

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

→ Garnish

10 - 1 tablespoon fresh chives or parsley, finely chopped

# How-to:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Wrap beets individually in aluminum foil and roast on a baking sheet for 40-50 minutes until fork-tender. Cool slightly, then peel and cut into wedges or cubes.
02 - Toast walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant. Transfer to a plate to cool.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until fully emulsified.
04 - Place arugula in a large salad bowl. Top with roasted beet pieces, crumbled goat cheese, and toasted walnuts.
05 - Drizzle vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to combine. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The beets turn candy-sweet in the oven and pair like magic with tangy goat cheese.
  • It looks fancy enough for company but requires almost no actual skill.
  • You can roast the beets ahead and toss everything together in minutes when hunger strikes.
  • The peppery arugula and crunchy walnuts make every bite feel alive.
02 -
  • Peel the beets after roasting, not before, or you'll lose all that gorgeous color and sweetness to the oven.
  • Don't overdress the salad or the arugula will wilt into sad little ribbons within minutes.
  • If your beets are different sizes, check the smaller ones earlier because they cook faster.
03 -
  • Roast the beets a day ahead and store them in the fridge so assembly takes five minutes.
  • Use a paper towel to rub the skins off the beets after roasting and your hands stay clean.
  • Drizzle a little extra honey over the finished salad if your beets are more earthy than sweet.
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