Blueberry and Goat Cheese Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
A refreshing salad combining sweet blueberries, tangy goat cheese, and crisp greens, finished with a homemade balsamic dressing. This mediterranean-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 10 minutes pairs mixed salad greens, fresh blueberries, goat cheese, crumbled 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 4, 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
- 4 cups mixed salad greens
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1/2 cup goat cheese, crumbled
- 1/3 cup toasted walnuts
- 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until the dressing emulsifies and becomes smooth.
- Step 2: In a large salad bowl, combine 4 cups mixed salad greens, 1 cup fresh blueberries, 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese, and 1/3 cup toasted walnuts.
- Step 3: Drizzle the prepared balsamic vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Step 4: Serve immediately to enjoy the crispness of the greens with the juicy blueberries and creamy goat cheese.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Blueberry and Goat Cheese Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette take to make?
Total time is about 10 minutes (10 min prep + 0 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 Blueberry and Goat Cheese Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette?
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 mixed salad greens from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Blueberry and Goat Cheese Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette?
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 Blueberry and Goat Cheese Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Blueberry and Goat Cheese Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette 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.
