Valentine Beet Goat Cheese Salad (Printable)

Sweet roasted beets, creamy goat cheese, walnuts, and tangy dressing create a colorful, fresh salad.

# What You'll Need:

→ For the Salad

01 - 3 medium red beets, trimmed and scrubbed
02 - 3 medium golden beets, trimmed and scrubbed
03 - 3.5 oz baby arugula or mixed greens
04 - 4 oz goat cheese, crumbled
05 - 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped
06 - 1 small shallot, thinly sliced

→ For the Dressing

07 - 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
08 - 1.5 tbsp balsamic vinegar
09 - 1 tsp honey
10 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Wrap each beet individually in foil and place on a baking sheet. Roast for 35-40 minutes, or until tender when pierced with a fork.
02 - Allow beets to cool slightly. Peel and slice into 1/4-inch rounds or cut into heart shapes using a cookie cutter for a Valentine's touch.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
04 - Arrange arugula or mixed greens on a serving platter. Top with sliced beets, crumbled goat cheese, walnuts, and sliced shallot.
05 - Drizzle the salad with the dressing just before serving. Toss gently to combine.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The combination of earthy roasted beets and tangy goat cheese creates this incredible sweet and creamy balance that keeps you going back for just one more bite
  • It looks stunning on a platter but comes together with such minimal effort, making you look like you spent hours when you really didnt
  • The heart-shaped beet trick transforms a simple salad into something that feels genuinely thoughtful and special
02 -
  • Roasting beets ahead of time and keeping them in the fridge makes this salad come together in minutes for last minute guests or weeknight dinners
  • The dressing tastes significantly better if you make it at least an hour ahead, giving the flavors time to meld and become more cohesive
  • Goat cheese firms up when cold, so let it sit on the counter for 15 minutes before crumbling for the creamiest, most effortless texture
03 -
  • Wear gloves when peeling red beets unless you want stained hands as a conversation starter
  • The salad tastes best at room temperature, so remove it from the fridge about 15 minutes before serving
  • Toast your walnuts in a dry pan over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes, watching closely so they do not burn

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