Playoff Salad Stack

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

A layered salad with roasted beets, goat cheese, and candied pecans, mirroring the strategic layers of a championship series. This french-inspired salads ready in about 40 minutes pairs beets, olive oil, balsamic vinegar 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 360 calories and feeds 2, 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.

★ 4.2 (15 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 2 French cuisine 360 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss diced beets with 1 tbsp olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, and 1/4 tsp salt. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25 minutes until tender and caramelized at edges.
  2. Step 2: For candied pecans, whisk maple syrup, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer, then add chopped pecans. Cook for 3 minutes until syrup coats nuts, then spread on parchment paper to cool.
  3. Step 3: In a large bowl, combine mixed greens and roasted beets. Top with crumbled goat cheese and cooled candied pecans.
  4. Step 4: Serve immediately to maintain crisp texture and contrast between warm beets and cool greens.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Playoff Salad Stack take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Playoff Salad Stack?

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 beets from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Playoff Salad Stack?

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 Playoff Salad Stack for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Playoff Salad Stack?

French 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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