Beet & Apple Salad With Balsamic Dressing Recipe
This vibrant Beet & Apple Salad with Balsamic Dressing is a fresh and flavorful combination perfect for a light lunch or a healthy side dish. The sweetness of steamed beets and crispy honeycrisp apples blends beautifully with tangy balsamic dressing, creamy goat cheese, and crunchy walnuts, all served over a bed of spring mix greens for a nutritious and colorful meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (if steaming beets at home; omitted if using store-bought cooked beets)
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Salad
- 8 ounces steamed beets (250 grams or 1.5 cups; store-bought cooked beets or homemade)
- 1 large honeycrisp apple
- 1 box spring mix or mesclun greens (5 ounces or 142 grams)
- 1/3 cup goat cheese
- 1/2 cup walnut halves
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 lemon, juice only
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl or jar with a lid, add the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, garlic powder, honey, salt, and pepper. Whisk thoroughly or shake the jar vigorously to combine all ingredients into a well-emulsified dressing. Set aside.
- Cut Beets and Apples: Slice the steamed beets and the honeycrisp apple into roughly 1-inch pieces, ensuring bite-sized chunks for balanced texture and easy eating.
- Plate Salad: Arrange the spring mix or mesclun greens evenly across four large salad plates. Scatter the cut beets and apple pieces over the greens. Then sprinkle crumbled goat cheese and walnut halves evenly on top. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Toss in Dressing: Drizzle the prepared balsamic dressing over each salad generously. Toss gently but thoroughly to combine all ingredients and coat the greens and toppings with the dressing. Serve the salad immediately to enjoy optimal freshness and flavor.
Notes
- For homemade steamed beets, wash and trim the beets, then cook them in boiling water or steam for about 30-40 minutes until tender.
- Use honeycrisp apples for better crispness and natural sweetness; other sweet-tart apple varieties can also work.
- Walnuts can be toasted lightly to enhance their flavor before adding to the salad.
- The salad is best served fresh; avoid dressing until just before serving to keep greens crisp.
