Description
The Beet Goat Cheese Valentine Salad is a vibrant and romantic dish made with roasted beets, creamy goat cheese, avocado, arugula, and toasted walnuts. Dressed in a tangy balsamic vinaigrette, it’s perfect for a Valentine’s Day dinner or any special occasion. This salad combines freshness, color, and flavor in every bite while being nutritious and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 medium beets, scrubbed
- 6 cups arugula
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 4 oz. goat cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tbsp. maple syrup
- 2 tsp. Dijon mustard
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Wrap each scrubbed beet in foil and place on a baking sheet. Roast for about 1 hour, until tender when pierced with a knife. Let cool, then peel and slice into thin wedges.
- Prepare the vinaigrette by combining olive oil, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, and Dijon mustard in a jar. Shake well until emulsified, then season with salt and pepper.
- In a large bowl, toss the arugula lightly with some of the vinaigrette.
- Top the greens with roasted beets, avocado slices, crumbled goat cheese, and toasted walnuts.
- Drizzle with more dressing as needed, toss gently, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use fresh beets for the best flavor—avoid canned ones.
- You can roast the beets and prepare the dressing a day ahead.
- For a vegan option, replace goat cheese with a plant-based cheese.
- Don’t overdress the salad—add vinaigrette gradually to maintain crispness.
- Serve slightly chilled for the best texture and taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Roasting & Tossing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: Beet Goat Cheese Valentine Salad, roasted beet salad, goat cheese salad, Valentine’s salad, arugula salad, healthy romantic salad, balsamic vinaigrette salad, vegetarian salad recipe