Half-Half Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Salad with Walnut Vinaigrette

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant salad combining half roasted red beets and half golden beets, topped with creamy goat cheese and a tangy walnut vinaigrette. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 55 minutes pairs medium, peeled and quartered red beets, divided olive oil, divided salt 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 250 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 250 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss 2 medium peeled and quartered red beets and 2 medium peeled and quartered golden beets with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 35-40 minutes until tender, flipping halfway through.
  2. Step 2: While beets roast, whisk together 1 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper in a small bowl to make the walnut vinaigrette.
  3. Step 3: In a large salad bowl, combine 4 cups mixed salad greens with the roasted beets once cooled slightly.
  4. Step 4: Crumble 3 oz goat cheese over the salad and sprinkle 1/4 cup toasted chopped walnuts on top.
  5. Step 5: Drizzle the walnut vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently before serving.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Half-Half Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Salad with Walnut Vinaigrette take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 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 Half-Half Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Salad with Walnut 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 divided olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Half-Half Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Salad with Walnut 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 Half-Half Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Salad with Walnut 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.

What goes well with Half-Half Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Salad with Walnut Vinaigrette?

Mediterranean salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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