Roasted Golden Beet Salad with Maple Dijon Dressing

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!

One bite, and you will fall in love with my golden beet salad recipe! It is filled with sweet and caramelized yellow beets. Then top it with apples, pecans, and blue cheese (or vegan blue cheese), and dress it with a maple dijon dressing. Are you already drooling?

This is one of those vertical salads that is perfect as a meal, a side dish, or a show stopper at your next brunch. (Speaking of brunch, try pairing it with Julia Child spinach quiche!)

Why You’ll Love This Golden Beet Salad

• Yellow beets are 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? (And Yellow 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. 

Ingredients for Golden Beet Salad

Blue Cheese/Vegan Blue Cheese

Adds an unmistakable bold flavor! I use vegan blue cheese, which can be hard to find. In instances when I cannot find it, I use vegan feta cheese.

Dijon Mustard 

Adds an unmistakable kick to the dressing. Vegans: not all dijon mustards 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

Red apple adds texture to this salad and balances out the flavors.

Red Onion

The sharp bite of red onion gives a burst of flavor. If you want a softer flavor, slice the red onion and soak the slices in ice water for ten minutes. This takes away the bite, and the onion becomes sweeter.

Spring Mix

is the perfect lettuce for this salad. I recommend using arugula or romaine if you prefer a different type.

Easy Substitutions and Add-Ins

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. 

What to Serve with Roasted Golden Beet Salad

• Julia Child’s Spinach Quiche
• Chickpea Tagine
• Pasta Puttanesca
• Pistachio Pesto Pasta with Blistered Tomatoes

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 Two: 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.

How Do I Store This Yellow Beet Salad?

You can store your yellow beet salad in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to three days. Before serving, give it a good toss and drain off any excess water the vegetables have shed while being stored.