Belgian Endive Salad with Goat Cheese
Crisp Belgian endive tossed with tangy goat cheese, toasted walnuts, and a balsamic vinaigrette, a refreshing starter from Brussels bistros. This belgian-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 35 minutes pairs heads Belgian endive, goat cheese, walnuts into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 6 heads Belgian endive
- 200 g goat cheese
- 100 g walnuts
- 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 180°C. Spread 100 g walnuts on a baking sheet and toast 10 minutes until golden. Let cool.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 4 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, and 1 tbsp honey. Add 1 tbsp chopped parsley.
- Step 3: Core and slice 6 heads of Belgian endive into 1-inch pieces. Toss with dressing. Crumble 200 g goat cheese over the salad. Top with toasted walnuts and serve chilled.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Belgian Endive Salad with Goat Cheese take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (25 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Belgian Endive Salad with Goat Cheese?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep heads belgian endive from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Belgian Endive Salad with Goat Cheese?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Belgian Endive Salad with Goat Cheese for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Belgian Endive Salad with Goat Cheese vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.