Roasted Beet Walnut Salad (Printable)

Sweet roasted beets combined with candied walnuts, tangy vinaigrette, creamy goat cheese, and fresh arugula.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 medium beets, trimmed and scrubbed
02 - 5 oz arugula

→ Nuts

03 - 1 cup walnut halves
04 - 3 tbsp granulated sugar
05 - Pinch of sea salt

→ Cheese

06 - 4 oz fresh goat cheese, crumbled

→ Vinaigrette

07 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
08 - 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
09 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
10 - 1 tsp honey
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Wrap each beet individually in aluminum foil and place on a baking sheet. Roast for 35 to 40 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork. Allow to cool slightly, peel, and cut into wedges.
02 - Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Toast walnuts in a skillet over medium heat until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Sprinkle with sugar and a pinch of salt, stirring continuously until sugar melts and coats the walnuts, approximately 3 to 4 minutes. Immediately transfer the nuts to the lined baking sheet and separate with a fork. Let cool.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until emulsified.
04 - Arrange arugula on a serving platter. Top with roasted beet wedges, candied walnuts, and crumbled goat cheese.
05 - Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad immediately before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The way sweet roasted beets balance against tangy goat cheese and peppery arugula feels like magic on your tongue
  • Candied walnuts add this incredible crunch that makes every bite interesting
  • You can make most components ahead and assemble last minute without losing any freshness
02 -
  • Wear gloves or rub your hands with lemon juice after handling beets unless you want pink palms for days
  • Work quickly once you add the sugar to the walnuts because it goes from melted to burned in seconds
  • The salad holds up beautifully for about an hour after dressing, but the arugula will start to wilt if you wait longer
03 -
  • Look for beets that feel heavy for their size with smooth skin and no deep blemishes
  • Mix red and golden beets if you want an even more striking presentation
  • Let the roasted beets come to room temperature before assembling for the best flavor
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