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Quick Roasted Beet and Apple Salad with Goat Cheese: Easy Fall Recipe

roasted beet and apple salad - featured image

This quick and easy roasted beet and apple salad with goat cheese is a weeknight favorite. The beets are roasted whole with the skins on for maximum flavor and minimal prep, then tossed with crisp apples, creamy goat cheese, toasted walnuts, and a simple vinaigrette.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 medium beets (about 450g / 1 lb total)
  • 2 medium apples (about 300g / 10 oz), such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith
  • 100g / 3.5 oz goat cheese (log-style chèvre)
  • 60g / ½ cup walnuts, toasted
  • 100g / 3.5 oz mixed salad greens (arugula, baby spinach, or spring mix)
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Scrub beets clean, trim tops and roots, but leave skin intact. Wrap each beet in aluminum foil or place on a foil-lined baking sheet. Roast for 35-45 minutes until a knife slides through the center easily. Let cool for 10 minutes, then hold under cold running water and rub off skins. Cut into bite-sized wedges or slices.
  2. While beets roast, toast walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until fragrant. Transfer to a plate to cool.
  3. In a small bowl or jar, combine olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper. Whisk or shake until emulsified. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  4. Just before serving, core and thinly slice apples (leave skin on for color). Place greens in a large salad bowl.
  5. Add warm roasted beets and sliced apples to the greens. Drizzle with about half the dressing and toss gently. Add more dressing if needed. Crumble goat cheese over the top and sprinkle with toasted walnuts. Serve immediately.

Notes

Roast extra beets for later use. Warm beets have a softer texture and sweeter flavor. Wear gloves when handling red beets to avoid staining. The dressing is forgiving—adjust to taste. For make-ahead, keep dressing separate and add just before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: roasted beet salad, apple salad, goat cheese salad, fall salad, easy salad recipe, weeknight salad, healthy salad, gluten-free salad