Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe·5 from 1 review

Make this vibrant beet salad with goat cheese for your next gathering! You'll wow your guests with this colorful, tangy, flavor-filled side dish.

overhead image of a beet salad with goat cheese and pears on a white oval platter

Earthy beets are tossed with crisp salad greens, creamy goat cheese, sweet and crunchy candied pecans, juicy pear, and tangy balsamic. The dish has major eye appeal and your tastebuds will be just as satisfied.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This gorgeous salad brightens up any holiday table alongside potatoes and green beans. It is simple to make and you can even prep the elements ahead of time. See all our tips and tricks below.

If you need a lighter side dish to accompany a heavy holiday meal or you're bringing something healthy to a potluck, this is the recipe for you. Roasted beets take center stage and are perfectly accompanied by all the other ingredients. This salad is equal parts cozy and flashy.

overhead image of the ingredients needed for beet salad. Each ingredient is in it's own small bowl and labeled with white text

Ingredients for Beet Salad Recipe

Red beets. We love their earthiness
Arugula or salad greens.
Crumbled goat cheese. Creamy and tangy yet mild, the perfect pair for roasted beets
Pear. Adds crunch and natural sweetness, a beauty of the season
Candied pecans. Adds a satisfying crunch and sweetness
Balsamic salad dressing. Adds acidity and depth of flavor
Salt and black pepper.

How to Make Beet Salad with Goat Cheese

overhead image of a small yellow bowl with diced cooked beets

Step 1: Cook, peel and dice the beets.

overhead image of a white oval platter topped with salad greens and diced cooked red beets

Step 2: Arrange the salad greens on a large serving dish and top with the beets.

Step 3: Add the goat cheese, pear and candied pecans to the salad.

Step 4: Top with salt, pepper and drizzle balsamic dressing to taste.

Substitutions

We used classic red beets here, but you could also use golden beets if you prefer.

Candied pecans add a nice crunch and sweetness to balance the earthiness and acidity in this salad. Instead, you can use candied walnuts or almonds.

We love the depth of flavor that balsamic vinegar adds to this dish, but you can use red wine or white wine vinegar. Or use your favorite store-bought vinaigrette.

Recipe Tips

If you've ever cooked with beets before then you know that they can leave their beautiful red color on anything they touch. If you decide to cook your own beets, make sure to wear gloves when handling and peeling them.
Rather than toss all the salad ingredients together, top the salad with the beets so they don't turn everything pink.
Follow any of the cooking methods for how to cook beets, or you can buy precooked beets at the store.
Follow our recipe for candied pecans, or use store-bought.
We love our creamy balsamic dressing recipe, but you can use your favorite bottled variety.

Serving Suggestions

This beautifully vibrant roasted beet salad begs to be served alongside your favorite holiday meal. Make our Vegan Wellington, Mashed Potatoes, Mushroom Gravy, and Kabocha Squash for a hearty and comforting family dinner.

Balance the texture of this crisp salad with a smooth soup and chewy baguette.

Beet salad with goat cheese is also perfectly at home with a pasta or pizza.

Storage, Reheating and Make Ahead Tips

Beet Salad can be prepared ahead of time. Prep all the separate elements 1-2 days in advance and keep them in separate containers until ready to assemble and serve the dish.
Candied pecans can be made and kept in an airtight container at room temperature.
Creamy balsamic dressing can be made and kept in an airtight mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Beets can be cooked, peeled, and diced then stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.

If you enjoyed this recipe, it would help us tremendously if you left us a star rating in the comments below or on the recipe card. Do you have any questions about the recipe? Do you need a swap for any of the ingredients? We are here to help, just leave us a question in the comments below.