Beet and Goat Cheese Salad

Know any beet lovers? They are going to love this Beet and Goat Cheese Salad! It’s called a salad but it’s SOO good! Plain old bag salad goodbye!

 

 

The sweet flavor of balsamic beets goes so perfectly with the creamy goat cheese and crunchy walnuts. 

Beet arugula goat cheese salad is the kind of salad that even non-salad fans would rave about!

The roasted beets have such a yummy sweetness that pairs perfectly with the tangy balsamic dressing.

It’s the ideal light lunch or side dish, pairing well with so many mains.

Beets are not just delicious but super healthy, packed with nutrients.

And your pairing knife will barely see action: this recipe for arugula beet goat cheese salad is so simple!

It’s adaptable! Have some leftover roasted beetroot or fancy adding golden beets? This salad is really easy to adapt.

And if you like this salad, you should really try our Grapefruit and Beet Salad. Mmm Mmm Good!

 

 

How to Cook Beets for Salad

It’s actually super easy to cook beets for a salad!

The best results come from boiling them until tender. 

This simple method is great because it doesn’t require heating up the oven and gives you perfect beets.

Plus it’s so easy! Boiling anything basically means not a ton of work. And anything that is not a ton of work? I’m doing that!

Once the cooked beets are cooled, peel and dress with balsamic and olive oil.

Pro Tips: 

• For an even quicker method, you could use an instant pot to cook the beets!
• If you decide to cook them in the oven, use a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy clean up.

 

 

What Ingredients Are in Beet and Goat Cheese Salad?

This roasted beet salad needs a few salad ingredients and a few dressing ingredients. Boom! Homemade delicious salad!

You’ll need to pick up just a few things from the grocery store:

• Beets: The star, offering that sweet and earthy flavor.
• Balsamic Vinegar: To glaze and enhance the sweetness of the beetroot.
• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Helps in making a rich dressing.
• Arugula: Adds a peppery kick to our salad greens.
• Soft Goat Cheese: Soft, creamy, and beautifully contrasts with the roasted beets.
• Walnuts: A nutty flavor and crunchy texture to the mix.

Pro Tips: 

• Experiment with beets variety like pink chioggia beets or golden beets for a splash of color. They aren’t all red beets!
• Baby spinach can be used in place of the arugula if preferred.

 

 

How to Make Beet and Goat Cheese Salad

Use this goats cheese salad recipe as a side salad or a main dish! It’s good enough to use for either!

You’ll find the full recipe on the recipe card below. But here’s how to make it:

1. Prepare and cook your beets.
2. Dress the beets in balsamic and oil mixture.
3. Arrange arugula on plates, adding the dressed beets, cheese, and nuts.
4. Drizzle extra dressing if desired.

Pro Tips: 

• Store leftover balsamic dressing in a mason jar for up to a week.
• Add the leafy greens just before serving so they don’t wilt.

 

 

What to Serve With Beet and Goat Cheese Salad

This easy salad recipe is so good because it can be served with so many things! 

Serve it alongside roasted meats, sandwiches, or even as a light dinner on its own.

And I’ve always been a big fan of soup with salad!

Here are some soup recipes to get you started:

• Thai Chicken Noodle Soup
• White Chicken Corn Chili
• Ginger Butternut Squash Soup
• Corn Salmon Chowder
• Cincinnati Chili Recipe
• Peach Gazpacho
• Bean and Bacon Soup
• Ham Bean Kale Soup
• Leftover Steak Soup

 

 

What Meat Goes With Beet and Goat Cheese Salad?

Cold beet salad pairs well with grilled chicken or steak! Really most meats would work!

Here are a few of my favorites:

• Grilled Chicken Skewers
• Backyard Burger Recipe
• Mango Chipotle Shrimp
• Kafta Burger
• Smoked Ribs

But honestly, the beet salad can be the star, and everything else is a side! It’s that good!

 

 

Can I Make Beet and Goat Cheese Salad Ahead of Time?

You can definitely make this goat cheese salad recipe ahead of time! Always a win at my house!

Store the salad in an airtight container in the fridge.

The flavors deepen beautifully, making it great for meal prep.

Just be sure not to put it on the arugula until you’re ready to serve it because the dressing and beets will make it wilt over time.

 

 

Can I Use Canned Beets in Beet and Goat Cheese Salad?

While fresh beets give the best flavor, canned beets can be a quick alternative. 

Just make sure they are drained well and aren’t pickled.

Pickled beets actually have a totally different flavor that you don’t want on your salad.

And if they aren’t drained your salad will be more soupy that salad.

Are Beets Healthy?

Oh my goodness, beets are so healthy! 

Beets are nutrient-packed and offer numerous health benefits. 

Anytime you’ve got anemia? Beets! Blood cleanse? Beets! Just want to be healthy? Beets!

They’re a great addition to your diet! And with everything else in this beetroot salad too? 

Yeah. You should definitely eat it.

 

 

There’s just something so delicious about this Beet and Goat Cheese Salad! 

This is one of those flavorful recipes that’ll have you coming back for more!

So next time you’re at your local restaurant and see a beet salad, you can proudly say you’ve mastered the best beet salad recipe at home! Dig in!

Originally Posted: March 23, 2015

Text Updated: August 29, 2016

Photos and Text Updated: September 9, 2024

 

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