Heart-Shaped Beet and Goat Cheese Salad with Walnut Vinaigrette

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant salad featuring roasted beet hearts, creamy goat cheese, and toasted walnuts tossed in a tangy walnut vinaigrette — a pretty and flavorful starter for Valentine's Day. This mediterranean-inspired valentine’s day (vegetarian) ready in about 65 minutes pairs peeled medium beets, crumbled goat cheese, toasted and chopped walnuts for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.

★ 4.2 (13 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 50 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Wrap 3 peeled medium beets individually in foil and roast for 45-50 minutes until tender when pierced with a knife. Let cool, then slice beets 1/4-inch thick and cut into heart shapes using a small cookie cutter.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tbsp walnut oil, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
  3. Step 3: On a large platter, arrange 4 cups mixed salad greens. Top evenly with heart-shaped beet slices, 4 oz crumbled goat cheese, and 1/2 cup toasted chopped walnuts.
  4. Step 4: Drizzle walnut vinaigrette over the salad just before serving.

Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 65 minutes (15 min prep + 50 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 Heart-Shaped 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 peeled medium beets from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Heart-Shaped 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 Heart-Shaped 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.

Is Heart-Shaped Beet and Goat Cheese Salad with Walnut 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.

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