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Balsamic Beet Salad with Arugula, Goat Cheese, and Walnuts

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This easy, delicious Balsamic Beet Salad with Arugula, Goat Cheese and Walnuts is perfect for lunch or a light dinner. Truly a farmer’s market favorite!

 

Balsamic Beet Salad with Arugula, Goat Cheese and Walnuts

 

BALSAMIC BEET SALAD WITH ARUGULA, GOAT CHEESE AND WALNUTS

Growing up, I was not a big fan of beets. Let’s just say beets from a can were not my favorite thing.

It wasn’t until I married my husband and was re-introduced to them to by my in-laws that I started to like them. My in-laws cooked them all the time, taking advantage of all the local produce we have right in our town.

There is nothing quite like fresh beets from the farm. They are so sweet, it’s almost like eating candy. I might be exaggerating a little bit. But if you think you don’t like beets because of an opinion you had way back when, I really think you should give them another try.

These days they are one of my favorite vegetables. All three of my kids like them. If our CSA has them on any given week, they are going in my basket.

 

Balsamic Beet Salad

 

My father-in-law used to roast his beets; I tend to boil them. Either way, they taste wonderful.

Sometimes we eat them plain; sometimes I grate the peeled, uncooked beets into a green salad. I also occasionally make a quick salad of them with capers, red onion and an easy balsamic vinaigrette. They’re quite versatile. But my favorite way to eat them is in this Balsamic Beet Salad.

But no matter how you cook them or what you make with them, they’re delicious!

And don’t forget about the beet greens. I usually sauté the greens with garlic and olive oil for a side dish, or add them to lentils or soups.

Ready for the recipe?
 
Balsamic Beet Salad square

Balsamic Beet Salad with Arugula and Goat Cheese

Yield: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes

Ingredients

Balsamic Beets

  • 1 1/2 pounds of beets (8-9 medium beets)
  • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (I prefer fig balsamic)
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Salad

  • 6 cups arugula
  • 2 oz of goat cheese, crumbled
  • 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts

Instructions

Balsamic Beets

  1. Remove greens, scrub clean, and cover beets with about an inch of water.
  2. Bring to a boil and cook until fork inserts easily, about 35-40 minutes
  3. Cool under cold water, remove skins.
  4. Allow to cool to room temperature; cut into quarters.
  5. Mix 3 tablespoons balsamic and 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil in saucepan and put heat on low.
  6. Add beets, stir to coat, about 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
  7. Allow to cool, then beets can either be used in salad, or stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days until you are ready to use them. I prefer to let mine sit for a day and let the flavor deepen.

Salad

  1. Divide arugula among 4 plates.
  2. Sprinkle goat cheese and walnuts on top of greens.
  3. Add beets.
  4. Drizzle balsamic and olive oil mixture from beets on top, add extra balsamic and olive oil as needed.

Notes

To make this salad vegan, simply omit the goat cheese.

Nutrition Information:
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 725Total Fat: 39gSaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 71mgSodium: 852mgCarbohydrates: 79gSugar: 49gProtein: 28g

Updated 8/29/16.

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Balsamic Beet Salad with Arugula, Goat Cheese, and Walnuts

 

Balsamic Beet Salad with Arugula, Goat Cheese, and Walnuts...perfect for your farmer's market veggies! Serve for lunch or a light dinner. Vegetarian, gluten free, and can easily become vegan by simply omitting the goat cheese.

 

Balsamic Beet Salad 

 

Miz Helen

Monday 31st of July 2017

We are Beet lovers here at the cottage and will really enjoy your delicious salad! Thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with us at Full Plate Thursday. Have a great week and come back to see us real soon! Miz Helen

DJ

Saturday 24th of December 2016

Can you use canned beets?

Michelle Nahom

Saturday 24th of December 2016

I've never tried it. To me, there is a big taste difference between fresh beets and canned. I never liked beets until I tried fresh ones. But if you do try it with canned, let me know what you think! Wishing you a wonderful holiday season!

Carly

Wednesday 22nd of June 2016

I made this last week and it was great! It reminded me of a similar salad I had at The Cheesecake Factory. I'll make this one again and again!

Nicky

Friday 10th of June 2016

Roasted beets are delicious. I'll often roast them and add them to salads too. I also grate them raw and add apples and walnuts with a honey vinagrette that is good too.

Ducks 'n a Row (@SineaPies)

Tuesday 29th of March 2016

Michelle, this salad is gorgeous! Wow! Pinning and yumming this one for sure! Sinea ♥

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