Beet and Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese Recipe
A vibrant and refreshing Beet and Arugula Salad with creamy goat cheese, crunchy walnuts, and a sweet-tangy maple balsamic dressing. This salad combines the earthiness of roasted beets with peppery arugula, crisp apple slices, and a flavorful homemade dressing, perfect as a light lunch or a nutritious side dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 7 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Roasted Beets
- 6 beets, small or medium sized
- 1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- Dash black pepper
Salad
- 5 oz arugula (about 5 cups)
- ¼ large apple, sliced (Honeycrisp recommended)
- ½ shallot, sliced
- ½ cup goat cheese
- ½ cup walnuts
Maple Balsamic Dressing
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- ½ Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 Tbsp maple syrup
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ¼ tsp kosher salt (adjust to taste)
- Dash black pepper
Instructions
- Roast Beets: Preheat oven to 400℉ (200°C). Wash beets and trim the ends. If large, cut in half. Coat beets with extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper. Wrap each beet individually in foil and place on a baking sheet. Roast for 45-60 minutes until a fork pierces easily. Let cool, then peel skin off using a paper towel or under cold water. Slice or dice the beets as desired.
- Prepare Ingredients: While beets roast, slice the apple and shallot and set aside. Prepare the maple balsamic dressing by whisking together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl or shaking them in a mason jar until emulsified.
- Assemble Salad: In a large bowl, place the arugula as the base. Top with roasted beets, apple slices, sliced shallot, walnuts, and crumbled goat cheese evenly.
- Dress and Serve: Drizzle the maple balsamic dressing over the salad. Toss gently to combine all ingredients and evenly coat. Serve immediately and enjoy the fresh, balanced flavors.
Notes
- Pre-cooked or canned beets can be used to save time, skipping the roasting step.
- Adjust dressing sweetness or acidity by modifying maple syrup and balsamic vinegar quantities to taste.
- Walnuts can be toasted lightly for extra crunch and flavor.
- Use any firm apple variety if Honeycrisp is unavailable.
- For a nut-free version, omit walnuts or substitute with pumpkin seeds.
