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!

Salad on a long platter with serving spoons next to it.

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

Ingredients used in making the recipe.
  • 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

Golden beet in tin foil with oil poured on top.

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.
Rubbing the skin off a cooked 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.
Salad that has had a few bites and a fork resting.

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.

Golden beet salad on a platter with spoons.

Roasted Golden Beet Salad

Golden Beet Salad combines tender beets, crisp apples, and crumbly blue cheese, and is topped with crunchy pecans. It's all brought together with a warm maple Dijon dressing. Perfect as a side or a main dish.
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: all
Diet:
Servings: 6 people
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour

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

Substitution Suggestions
    • 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.
Allergy Information – Nut Allergy: Please note that this recipe includes pecans. If you or any of your guests have a nut allergy, you will need to remove the nuts from this recipe or substitute them with a nut-free alternative such as pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds.
Making Ahead: If making this salad ahead, store the dressing separately
Storing: This salad can be refrigerated for up to three days in an airtight container. To preserve the color of the apple, sprinkle it with fresh lemon juice or add fresh slices when you are ready to serve it.

Nutrition

Calories: 219kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 140mg | Potassium: 391mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 370IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 1mg
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Did you make this? Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out!

Ruth holding a whisk to her chin.

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