Honey-Lavender Glazed Carrot and Goat Cheese Salad
Tender steamed carrots glazed with a honey-lavender dressing, paired with tangy goat cheese and toasted walnuts for a refreshing regional salad. This American-inspired salad recipe, ready in about 22 minutes, pairs carrots, water, Colorado wildflower honey 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
- 5 large, peeled and cut into 3-inch sticks carrots
- 4 cups for steaming water
- 2 tbsp Colorado wildflower honey
- 1/2 tsp, finely crushed dried culinary lavender
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 4 oz, crumbled goat cheese
- 1/3 cup, chopped toasted walnuts
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped for garnish fresh parsley
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pour 4 cups water into a large pot with a steamer basket, bring to a boil over high heat.
- Step 2: Add 5 peeled and cut large carrots (3-inch sticks) to the steamer basket, cover and steam for 8-10 minutes until tender but firm.
- Step 3: Meanwhile, whisk together 2 tbsp Colorado wildflower honey, 1/2 tsp finely crushed dried culinary lavender, 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper in a small bowl.
- Step 4: Once carrots are steamed, transfer them to a large mixing bowl and drizzle the honey-lavender dressing over them, tossing gently to coat.
- Step 5: Sprinkle 4 oz crumbled goat cheese and 1/3 cup chopped toasted walnuts evenly over the glazed carrots.
- Step 6: Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and serve warm or at room temperature.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honey-Lavender Glazed Carrot and Goat Cheese Salad take to make?
Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 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 Honey-Lavender Glazed Carrot and Goat Cheese Salad?
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 carrots from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Honey-Lavender Glazed Carrot and Goat Cheese Salad?
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 Honey-Lavender Glazed Carrot and Goat Cheese Salad 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 Honey-Lavender Glazed Carrot and Goat Cheese Salad?
American 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.
