Midwestern Harvest Salad with Roasted Root Vegetables and Maple-Dijon Vinaigrette
A vibrant salad combining roasted carrots, parsnips, and beets with crisp greens, tossed in a tangy maple-Dijon dressing inspired by Mid-America produce. This American-inspired salad recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 50 minutes, pairs carrots, parsnips, beets 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 310 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
- 2 medium, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch chunks carrots
- 2 medium, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch chunks parsnips
- 2 medium, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch chunks beets
- 3 tbsp, divided olive oil
- 1 tsp, divided salt
- 1/2 tsp, divided black pepper
- 5 cups mixed greens
- 1/2 cup, toasted and chopped walnuts
- 1/3 cup crumbled goat cheese
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. On a large rimmed baking sheet, toss 2 medium peeled and chunked carrots, 2 medium peeled and chunked parsnips, and 2 medium peeled and chunked beets with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Spread in one layer and roast for 30-35 minutes until tender and edges caramelize, stirring halfway through.
- Step 2: While vegetables roast, whisk together 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 2 tbsp maple syrup, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper in a small bowl until emulsified.
- Step 3: In a large salad bowl, combine 5 cups mixed greens with the warm roasted root vegetables. Drizzle the maple-Dijon vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat.
- Step 4: Sprinkle 1/2 cup toasted chopped walnuts and 1/3 cup crumbled goat cheese evenly over the top before serving immediately for a fresh Midwestern harvest flavor.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Midwestern Harvest Salad with Roasted Root Vegetables and Maple-Dijon Vinaigrette take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 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 Midwestern Harvest Salad with Roasted Root Vegetables and Maple-Dijon 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 carrots from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Midwestern Harvest Salad with Roasted Root Vegetables and Maple-Dijon 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 Midwestern Harvest Salad with Roasted Root Vegetables and Maple-Dijon 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 Midwestern Harvest Salad with Roasted Root Vegetables and Maple-Dijon 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.
