This content was created with the assistance of AI tools and has been reviewed and edited by a human author. This website contains affiliate links. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases (What’s This?).
Prepare yourself for taste bud nirvana. Try out this Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese and Candied Walnuts! It sweet, tangy, crunchy and healthy all rolled into one tasty dish. A sure-fire hit at any gathering, big or small.
Hosting a dinner party or just want to have fancy food sitting down at your desk? This salad is perfect for both occasions! Besides, it’s good for vegetarians. It’s pure win-win material.
So let’s get cracking!
Ingredients for Roasted Beet Salad
Time to gather it, everything required in making this magic roasted beet salad speaks for itself. There are those shining, fresh ingredients. Fortunately you can find most of what is listed at your local grocer’s.
Fresh Beets
First in the lineup is some earthy fresh beets! These are intended to be the star of the beet salad.
Grab about a pound of beets, about 3 or 4. And if you want, you could get them in different colors: Red, golden, chiogga, will all make for a stunning visual appeal.
In addition, their skins should be peeled unless baking them to bring about that ‘tender’ softness.
Roasting brings out the natural sugar in them and makes them positively irresistible.
Goat Cheese
Then you will want some goat cheese. This creamy goat cheese delivers tart, rich, creamy pizazz that is a perfect counterpoint to the sweetness of the beets and the snap of the candied walnuts.
Try to aim for 4 ounces of goat cheese.
You can use it in any fashion you like, either as a log (with or without rind), or crumbled.
Its creaminess adds that certain something to this beet salad with goat cheese which is unmatchable.
Candied Walnuts
Next for a touch of “crisp” is candied walnuts!
You can buy them already candy-coated, but homemade & crispy they taste a lot better.
You will need 1/2 cup of walnuts, a little bit of maple syrup and pinch salt.
The resulting blend of sweet, salty creates an addictive crunch of incomparable delight.
This salad with candied walnuts couldn’t be on the table without them.
Mixed Greens
For the foundation we’re using mixed greens.
Get about a 5-oz bag and you’re set.
For example spinach, kale or spring mix, it doesn’t matter what combination you put together here. The fresh bright greens are like a canvas or background that other parts of this beet salad will shine on top of.
You could even use spinach and kale together for extra nutrients and texture.
Salad Dressing Ingredients
Last but not least, dressing.
A balsamic vinaigrette tops this salad with a high tone.
Scoop up some olive oil, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard salt and pepper.
This home made balsamic sauce forms the perfect tangy-sweet flavor to bring everything together.
Before serving, the dressing can be whisked together with all the ingredients. This balsamic dressing is what makes this roasted beet salad the standout dish.
Instructions for Preparing the Salad
Roasting the Beets
The first step is beets, whose earthy flavors are perfect when roasted.
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Thoroughly wash the beets and remove their skins.
Lay the peeled beets out on a pan and lightly drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper.
To ensure they cook evenly, spread them on the pan in a single layer.
Roast the beets for 45-60 minutes, until they are tender; a fork should be able to pierce them through.
Roasting the beets in this way brings out their natural sweetness and ensures that the beet salad we make is mouth-wateringly good.
Allow the beets to cool somewhat before slicing them into wedges or cubes. This is your chance to make a delicious roasted beet salad!
Preparing the Candied Walnuts
So it’s time to make those crispy candied walnuts.
Over medium heat in a skillet, combine 1/2 cup of walnuts, 2 tablespoons of maple syrup and a pinch of salt. Constantly stir to coat the nuts evenly with syrup mixture.
Stirring until it thickens and the walnuts become well glazed, about 3-5 minutes.
Watch out for browning them by mistake!
Once they are done remove walnuts from the heat and spoon onto a sheet of parchment paper to cool and harden.
The salad needs this crunchy candied walnut filling for its perfect sweet nuttiness. Leave them to one side and you can continue making the beet salad.
Assembling the Salad
Putting together the salad is one of the most enjoyable parts!
Add the roasted beets and creamy goat cheese to a large salad bowl of mixed greens.
Break up the goat cheese evenly into the greens. Then sprinkle the crunchy candied walnuts on top.
Toss together but take care not to smash the goat cheese and be sure to mix gently.
This roasted beet salad is not only delicious, it’s also a pretty picture with vibrant beets, greens and candies as a garnish.
This is a pretty combination that is a hit at any dinner party or casual gathering. The salad makes a delightful and inviting plate.
Making the Dressing
For a fully-loaded beet and goat cheese salad, let’s make a simple balsamic vinaigrette.
In a small bowl combine
- 3 tablespoons of olive oil
- 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard and
- salt and pepper
Whisk until smooth. Draco sauce over the salad right before serving. Your sauce can also be put on the table, giving everyone a chance to add as much to their liking.
The tangy balsamic dressing brings all the flavors together perfectly in this harmonious and flavorful beet salad with goat cheese.
Don’t forget, dressing can be made in advance for convenience. Enjoy this simple salad!
Serving Suggestions
Presentation Tips
When serving a beet salad that is roasted beautifully, the way you present it is crucial.
First, choose a pretty salad bowl to show off the earthy colors of the beets, the creamy goat cheese, and crunchy candied walnuts.
Gently toss the greens with a light drizzle of balsamic dressing so that they are coated evenly but not sodden. Creatively arrange variously colored roasted beets on top.
Next, crumble a little creamy goat’s cheese on the top as a final touch of elegance. Strew all over with pieces of crunchy candied walnuts.
Finally, a last drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette imparts a sheen that is somehow incredibly attractive.
Garnish with fresh herbs to finish.
Make the dressing in advance, put it in a container and keep it in the refrigerator; pour over the salad just before eating.
Making an attractive centerpiece wherever it is put, the salad is the perfect addition to any table. At a dinner party, nobody will be able to resist its charms.
Pairing with Other Dishes
This incredibly versatile roasted beet and salad goes perfectly with many different dishes and loaded potato skins
As a starter, it sits beside nicely grilled salmon, roast chicken, or a hearty vegetarian main course.
The bite of the balsamic dressing cuts through the richness of heavy dishes as well.
You can also serve it with a simple quinoa salad or try as the filling for a warm grain bowl lunch. It’s light yet satisfying.
Finally at dinner parties, allow it to melt in alongside a rich cream soup such as butternut squash or carrot ginger. The sweet tones of a beet and goat cheese provide a perfect foil for the savory flavourings in the soup.
If it is served as a side dish, boiled pasta with a little olive oil and garlic tastes twice as good.
When taken at mealtime, too, the crunchy sweetness of these candied walnuts makes everything taste that much better.
Amongst friends, this beet and goat cheese salad is a real crowd-pleaser!
Variations of Roasted Beet Salad
Adding Other Ingredients
Then again, you could really push the boat out with a whole bunch of different ingredients. It tastes great with all kinds of flavor combinations. For example, try adding:
A bit of citrus, perhaps some sliced oranges or segments of grapefruit would give the dish that sweet-and-sour flavour contrast which combines perfectly with earthy beet flavors.
Pitted black olives have a sweet and also salty tang too.
Toasted pecans or almonds beside the crunch of glazed nuts.
You get a different variety of textures; you can add more variety still by using different kinds of nuts.
The traditional mix of seeds and dried fruit (if you’re not allergic) gives yet another layer in this grain bowl that is so full of taste.
Some people like to add cooked quinoa or farro to make it more of a substantial meal. Different herbs can also be beneficial, fresh mint or dill are the excellent additions.
These components go well; when they are mixed with balsamic vinaigrette and poured over the roasting vegetable salad, it becomes a further treat.
Done correctly, a roast vegetable salad just goes on and on giving.
Different Types of Cheese
Some cheese options that go with the tender flavor of the roasted beets and not so sweet crunch of those walnuts are:
- Clear feta cheese which has a biting and tangy flavor.
- Ricotta cheese provides a gentle creaminess.
For those of you who want something stronger than the ricotta, a crumbled blue cheese could give you much joy and delight.
Also experiment with texture, both a soft cheese ball and a hard cheese should be fine.
Vegan Alternatives
If you are a vegetarian, or vegan, you can still get on board with a beet salad! By substituting the following ingredients, you can make it completely plant-based:
Look for plant-based options, such as cheese alternatives made from nuts or soy, in order to replace vegan creamy goat cheese.
Use agave nectar or a different plant-based sweetening agent, instead of honey or maple syrup, in the crunchy candied walnuts.
That maple syrup is also ethically sourced; and double-check the balsamic vinaigrette to make sure it’s vegan.
You could also throw in some other ingredients like avocado to give the dressing even more creaminess, or sprinkle on toasted pumpkin seeds for texture.
Get the sheet pan out and enjoy a totally plant-based bowl!
Even without goat cheese, those earthy beets are the star.
This content was created with the assistance of AI tools and has been reviewed and edited by a human author. This website contains affiliate links. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases (What’s This?).
