Roasted Golden Beet Salad
Golden beet salad is made with apples, crumbly blue cheese, and crunchy pecans drizzled with a warm maple Dijon dressing. It’s versatile enough to shine as a side dish or meal. One bite and I bet it’ll quickly become one of your go-to favorites!
My golden beet salad is a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. The beets are sweet but also rich because they have been oven-roasted. The apples add a perfect crunch. All of this is topped off with pecans and blue cheese, or, in my case, vegan blue cheese. Combined, the flavors add a unique warmth that will have you reach for another bite!
Golden Beet Salad
At a Glance
EASE: Vey Easy
COURSE: Starter or Main Dish
TIME: 1 Hour
DIET: Vegan Optional
Why You Will Love This Salad
- Golden beet salad is rich in flavors and textures.
- The blue cheese, pecans, and maple syrup give this salad a warm flavor.
- This recipe is perfect as a main dish or a side salad.
- It tastes great with roasted cauliflower with tahini sauce for a light dinner.
What are Golden Beets?
There is a slight difference between golden and traditional red beets. Golden beets are milder in flavor and slightly sweeter, which is probably why I prefer them! I recommend always using fresh beets. They are in season year-round and can be found in most large grocery stores. In the summer, look for them at your local farmers market.
Ingredient Notes
- Blue Cheese/Vegan Blue Cheese adds an unmistakable bold flavor! If you are not a fan, try using creamy goat or crumbly feta cheese. Both taste great with this salad!
- Dijon Mustard adds an unmistakable kick to the dressing. Vegans, not all dijons are vegan. I recommend Grey Poupon.
- Golden beets are the star of this recipe. If you are short on time, use canned red beets. That will cut the cooking time by 90%!
- Red Apple adds crunch to this salad and balances out the sweetness of the beets.
- Red Onion: The sharp bite of red onion gives a burst of flavor.
- Spring Mix is the perfect lettuce for this salad. I recommend using arugula or remain if you prefer a different type.
See the recipe card for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.
Additions/Substitutions
- Apples: Would you prefer a different fruit? Try thinly sliced pears!
- Beets: If golden beets are unavailable, red beets are a perfect alternative.
- Cheese: Not a fan of blue cheese or vegan blue cheese? Substitute crumbled goat cheese for a creamy texture or feta cheese for a tangy alternative. Both come in dairy-free versions. I recommend the Follow Your Heart brand.
- Greens: If arugula, mixed greens, or spinach aren’t your preference, try kale, romaine, or butter lettuce.
- Nuts: Substitie with crunchy walnuts, almonds, or even pine nuts!
- Red Onions: Substitute with thinly sliced shallots for a milder flavor.
How to Roast Golden Beets
Step One: Prep –
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Trim off the green tops from the beets. Wash any dirt and debris on the surface. There’s no need to wash or peel the beets at this stage.
- Wrap each beet in an individual foil packet, adding a generous drizzle of avocado or olive oil and a pinch of salt inside,
- Place these foil packets on a rimmed baking sheet and roast for 60-90 minutes. The exact time will depend on the beets’ age and size. You’ll know they’re done when you can easily insert a fork into the middle of each beet.
Step One: Roast –
- Once roasted, let the beets cool down to room temperature. You can rinse them under cold water in a colander for quicker cooling.
- When they’re cool, the skin should peel off effortlessly. You can gently use your fingers or a paring knife to remove the skin.
Storing: This salad can be refrigerated for up to three days in an airtight container.
If you tried this golden beet salad or any other recipe on my blog leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below.
Roasted Golden Beet Salad
Equipment
- 1 chef knife
- Aluminum Foil
- A Small Bowl or Mason Jar
Ingredients
Salad
- 5-6 golden beets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 apples
- ¼ cup blue cheese/vegan blue cheese
- ¼ cup pecans, crushed
- ½ red onion. thinly sliced (optional)
- 5 ounces greens Mixed spring greens, spinach or arugula
- salt and pepper to taste
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dijon
- 1 clove minced garlic
- salt and pepper
Instructions
Step One: Oven Roasted Beets
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Trim off the green tops from the beets. Wash any dirt and debris on the surface. There's no need to wash or peel the beets at this stage.
- Wrap each beet in an individual foil packet, adding a generous drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt inside,
- Place these foil packets on a rimmed baking sheet and set them in your oven. Roast for about 60-90 minutes. The exact time will depend on the beets' age and size. You'll know they're done when you can easily insert a fork into the middle of each beet.
Step Two: Peeling
- Once roasted, let the beets cool down to room temperature. You can rinse them under cold water in a colander for quicker cooling.
- When they're cool, the skin should peel off effortlessly. You can gently use your fingers or a paring knife to remove the skin.
Step Three: Prep the Veggies
- Wash and thoroughly dry your choice of greens.
- Thinly slice the red apple and red onion.
Step Four: The Dressing
- Whisk together all the ingredients. Set aside while you assemble the salad.
Step Five: Assemble the Salad
- Start by laying out a bed of your prepared greens.
- Arrange the oven-roasted beets, thinly sliced apples, red onion, crumbles of blue cheese (or your cheese of choice), and pecans over the greens.
- Finally, drizzle the dressing over the salad. Add a sprinkle of salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Notes
-
- Apples: Would you prefer a different fruit? Try thinly sliced pears!
-
- Beets: If golden beets are unavailable, red beets are a perfect alternative.
-
- Cheese: Not a fan of blue cheese or vegan blue cheese? Substitute with crumbled goat cheese for a creamy texture or feta cheese for a tangy alternative. Both come in a dairy-free alternative. I recommend the Follow Your Heart brand.
-
- Greens: If arugula, mixed greens, or spinach aren’t your preference, try kale, romaine, or butter lettuce.
-
- Nuts: Substitie with crunchy walnuts, almonds, or even pine nuts!
-
- Red Onions: Substitute with thinly sliced shallots for a milder flavor.
Nutrition
Did you make this? Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out!