Railroad Park Herb Salad with Roasted Pecans and Goat Cheese

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

A fresh, vibrant salad inspired by Birmingham’s Railroad Park featuring mixed herbs, roasted pecans, creamy goat cheese, and a zesty citrus vinaigrette. This american-inspired salads ready in about 15 minutes pairs baby arugula, roughly chopped roasted pecans, crumbled goat cheese 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 280 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 Serves 4 American cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil, 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp honey, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified and bright.
  2. Step 2: In a large salad bowl, combine 3 cups chopped mixed fresh herbs (parsley, cilantro, mint) with 2 cups baby arugula and 1/2 cup roughly chopped roasted pecans.
  3. Step 3: Drizzle the citrus vinaigrette over the herb mixture and toss gently to coat all leaves evenly.
  4. Step 4: Sprinkle 4 oz crumbled goat cheese over the top just before serving to add creamy texture and tang.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Railroad Park Herb Salad with Roasted Pecans and Goat Cheese take to make?

Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 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 Railroad Park Herb Salad with Roasted Pecans and Goat Cheese?

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 baby arugula from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Railroad Park Herb Salad with Roasted Pecans and Goat Cheese?

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 Railroad Park Herb Salad with Roasted Pecans and Goat Cheese 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 Railroad Park Herb Salad with Roasted Pecans and Goat Cheese?

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.

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