Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese and Walnuts is more than just a colourful dish; it’s a harmonious blend of textures and flavours that elevates simple ingredients into something extraordinary.
With the earthy sweetness of roasted beets, the creamy tang of goat cheese, and the satisfying crunch of walnuts, this salad captures the essence of balance. Tossed in a zesty honey-Dijon vinaigrette and paired with fresh greens, it’s both visually stunning and packed with nutrients.
Whether enjoyed as a light meal or a side dish, this vibrant salad offers a refreshing take on wholesome eating. It combines rich flavours with health-conscious ingredients. Perfect for any season, it appeals to food lovers looking for both taste and nutrition.
Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese and Walnuts is a flavourful, nutritious dish that combines the earthy sweetness of roasted beets with creamy goat cheese, crunchy walnuts, and fresh salad greens. Tossed in a tangy honey-Dijon vinaigrette, the salad offers a delightful mix of textures and flavours, making it a perfect option for a light, healthy meal or side dish. The vibrant colours and rich taste make it both visually appealing and satisfying, whether served on its own or paired with additional proteins like chicken or shrimp.
The Roasted Beet Salad includes medium-sized beets, extra-virgin olive oil, salad greens (rocket or mixed salad leaves), shallots, green apple, walnuts, goat cheese, honey, Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, and salt and pepper.
Medium-sized beets are ideal for this salad as they roast evenly and mix beautifully with olive oil, enhancing their natural sweetness. They cut nicely into wedges, fitting well alongside rocket or spinach leaves. Beetroots add vibrant colour and pair fantastically with the tangy goat cheese and crunchy walnuts. Roasting them with just a bit of olive oil and seasoning creates a perfect blend of flavours for this vegetarian dish.
Extra-virgin olive oil is the preferred choice for roasting the beets, bringing richness and depth to their earthy flavour. It also enhances the overall nutritional profile of the salad, contributing to its health benefits.
Roast beets with rich flavour and Enhances nutritional profile
With its peppery bite, Arugula adds a lovely texture and visual appeal to the salad. Spring mix is another great option, combining various tender lettuces that provide different flavours and colours. Both greens balance roasted beets’ sweet and earthy flavours, complementing the creamy goat cheese and crunchy walnuts.
Shallots bring a delicate, sweet flavour to the salad. They add depth to the honey-Dijon vinaigrette when finely chopped, offering a mild onion taste without overpowering the dish. Their attractive purplish-red hue and subtle taste provide complexity to each bite.
Green apples introduce tartness and crunch, refreshing the dish with a contrast to the earthy beets and creamy goat cheese. Thinly sliced, they add a burst of juicy sweetness, balancing the nuttiness of the walnuts and making the salad visually appealing and exciting to eat.
Walnuts contribute a delightful crunch and nutty flavour, elevating the salad’s texture and taste. Coarsely chopped, they provide a satisfying bite in every forkful. Their depth and richness are essential to the dish’s overall flavour profile.
Goat cheese adds a creamy, tangy element to the salad. It enhances the sweetness of the beets while offering a delightful contrast to the crisp greens and walnuts. Rich in protein, it makes the dish both flavourful and satisfying.
Honey brings natural sweetness to the vinaigrette, balancing the sharpness of the Dijon mustard. When roasted, it also helps caramelize the walnuts, enhancing their nutty flavour. The honey adds depth to the salad, making it a harmonious blend of sweet and savoury elements.
Dijon mustard adds tanginess and sharpness to the honey-Dijon vinaigrette, balancing the sweetness of the beets and the creaminess of the goat cheese. A tablespoon of Dijon mustard creates a perfect balance of flavours in the dressing.
Red wine vinegar adds a robust, tangy flavour that enhances the beets’ earthy sweetness and the goat cheese’s richness. It balances the honey and Dijon mustard in the vinaigrette, giving the salad depth and sharpness with each bite.
A pinch of salt and a dash of pepper elevate the flavours of the salad without overpowering the fresh ingredients. The salt enhances the beets’ natural sweetness, while the pepper adds warmth, creating a harmonious blend that complements the goat cheese and walnuts.
To prepare the Roasted Beet Salad, roast the beets until tender. Next, mix a honey-Dijon vinaigrette and assemble the salad with greens, shallots, green apples, walnuts, and goat cheese.
Preheat the oven to 200°C. Wash and trim the beets, drizzle them with olive oil, and wrap them in foil. Place them on a baking sheet and roast for 45-60 minutes, until tender when pierced with a fork. Once they cool, peel off the skins and cut the beets into wedges or slices. Toss them in walnut oil for added flavour before adding them to the salad.
To make the dressing, combine 1 tablespoon of honey, 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard, 3 tablespoons of red wine vinegar, and 1/2 cup of extra-virgin olive oil. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. This zesty vinaigrette enhances the flavours of the roasted beet salad.
Layer the salad with a mix of greens, thinly sliced shallots, crisp green apple slices, crunchy walnuts, and crumbled goat cheese.
Drizzle the honey-Dijon vinaigrette over the salad, balancing sweet and sharp flavours. The dressing highlights the earthy roasted beets, creamy goat cheese, crunchy walnuts, crisp greens, shallots, and apples, bringing everything together for a satisfying dish.
This versatile salad can be served as a side dish, transformed into a main course with added protein, or prepared ahead for meal prep. Its flexibility makes it perfect for various occasions and preferences.
The roasted beet salad with goat cheese and walnuts makes an excellent side dish, complementing many main courses or standing out on its own. The earthy beets, creamy goat cheese, and crunchy walnuts bring colour and flavour to any meal. It is ideal for dinner parties, quick to prepare, and offers a healthy, vibrant addition to the plate.
When served as a main course, adding protein like grilled chicken or sautéed shrimp transforms the salad into a filling and nutritious meal. The added protein enhances satiety, turning this dish into a satisfying lunch or dinner option. The flavours of chicken or shrimp pair well with the earthy beets and tangy goat cheese.
For meal prep, this salad can be made in advance and stored in airtight containers for up to 3 days, making it convenient for quick, healthy meals during the week. The beets, walnuts, and vinaigrette hold up well, ensuring freshness with every serving. Preparing it ahead of time also makes it easy to grab a nutritious meal on busy days without compromising on flavour or quality.
This salad works wonderfully as a topping for flatbread or pizza, adding bursts of flavour and texture. The combination of earthy beets, tangy goat cheese, and crunchy walnuts elevates your dish’s taste and visual appeal. Top flatbread or pizza with this salad for a fresh, wholesome twist on traditional toppings, adding depth and interest to every bite.
Thanks to its nutrient-rich ingredients, this salad offers several health benefits, from supporting heart health to enhancing exercise performance.
The roasted beet salad is packed with essential vitamins and minerals. Beets provide folate, potassium, and vitamin C, while walnuts add heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants that combat inflammation.
The vibrant colours of the beets and greens come from antioxidants, which help protect cells from damage and support the immune system. This nutrient-dense salad also promotes skin health and aids digestion with its high fibre content.
The combination of nitrates from beets and healthy fats from walnuts makes this salad beneficial for heart health. Nitrates can help lower blood pressure and improve blood flow, while walnuts omega-3 fatty acids contribute to lowering cholesterol levels. Together, these ingredients support a healthy cardiovascular system.
It may improve exercise performance. Beet nitrates can improve blood flow and oxygen delivery to muscles, potentially enhancing endurance and reducing fatigue during exercise. The antioxidants in beets may also help with muscle recovery by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. Including this salad in your diet could boost workout performance and aid in post-exercise recovery.
With its high fibre content, this salad can promote healthy digestion and regular bowel movements. Beets contain betaine, which supports liver function and aids in fat digestion, while goat cheese provides probiotics that help maintain a balanced gut microbiome, contributing to overall digestive health.
This Roasted Beet Salad combines earthy beets, creamy goat cheese, crunchy walnuts, and crisp greens, all topped with a tangy honey-Dijon vinaigrette. Perfect as a side dish, main course, or meal prep option!
For the Salad:
For the Honey-Dijon Vinaigrette:
Enjoy this vibrant and nutritious Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese and Walnuts, whether for a special meal or a quick, healthy option!
So there you have it, a delightful Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese and Walnutsthat’ss both healthy and delicious. The mix of earthy beets, tangy goat cheese, crunchy walnuts, and zesty vinaigrette creates a truly satisfying dish.
Enjoy it as a side, or add protein to a complete meal. It’s simple to make and perfect for busy foodies who love good food!
Beets are ready to roast when they feel firm and have a deep colour.
Yes, you can use feta cheese as an alternative to goat cheese.
Use plain, unsalted walnuts for the best taste in your salad.
You should peel the beets after roasting to remove the outer skin.
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