Earthy roasted beets with tangy goat cheese and candied walnuts
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
50 min
Total Time
1 hr 5 min
Servings
4
4 servings
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Moderate
$$
Earthy roasted beets with tangy goat cheese and candied walnuts
A classic composed salad with tender roasted beets, creamy goat cheese, candied walnuts, and a sherry vinaigrette over mixed greens.
15m
Prep Time
50m
Cook Time
65m
Total Time
4
Servings
Easy
Difficulty
Moderate $$
Cost
(Updated )
This salad is a staple of restaurant menus for good reason — the combination of sweet, earthy beets with tangy goat cheese and crunchy walnuts is genuinely perfect. Making it at home is straightforward, and roasting the beets yourself gives you better flavor and texture than the vacuum-packed kind.
The sherry vinaigrette adds a round, slightly nutty acidity that connects all the elements. This is the kind of salad that works as a first course for a dinner party or as a light lunch on its own.
Test Kitchen Pick
Sheet Pan
Helpful Tool
The pan is doing more work here than it looks like. A sturdy, evenly heating sheet pan gives you better browning and fewer hot spots.
This recipe benefits from more even oven contact and easier cleanup.
A heavy rimmed sheet pan is one of the highest-use tools in almost any kitchen.
Shop sheet pan options for this recipeWrap the beets individually in foil and roast at 400F for 45 to 50 minutes until tender.
Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet, then toss with honey and a pinch of salt. Spread on parchment to cool.
Let the beets cool slightly, peel, and cut into wedges.
Whisk together the sherry vinegar, olive oil, Dijon, salt, and pepper.
Arrange the greens on plates, top with beet wedges and crumbled goat cheese.
Scatter the candied walnuts over the top and drizzle with vinaigrette.
Serve alongside a fresh baguette and salted butter
Pair with a crisp green salad with Dijon vinaigrette
Serve as a light main course or alongside grilled protein
Best enjoyed fresh -- prepare the dressing separately if making ahead
Wear gloves when peeling beets to avoid staining your hands.
Golden beets work too and will not stain the greens.
The beets can be roasted up to 3 days ahead.
Refrigerate in airtight containers for up to 3 days.
Reheat gently on the stovetop, in the oven, or in the microwave until hot.
Per serving (1 serving) · 4 servings
A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
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