Beetroot Goat Cheese Salad is the perfect fall or winter salad! This beetroot goat cheese salad is one of our favs for every day eating, or for a quick and easy recipe to whip up when you're in a hurry or want something easy for stress free dinner entertaining!
Hey guys, happy Thursday!
I'm so happy to be back blogging this week! Especially when I get to give you guys a terrific, easy and stress free salad!
I really think fall/winter salads are underrated. To me, summer is prime salad time, but I love being able to maintain a healthy(ish) diet during the winter.
I often get caught up on stews, soups and warming, comfort food, I often forget just how delicious and comforting a good, hearty roast vegetable salad can be, or in this case a roasted beetroot goat cheese salad!
Salads can be such a bore sometimes, but I'm making a stance.
NO MORE BORING SALADS!
or SALADS THAT LEAVE YOU HUNGRY 10 MINUTES AFTER YOU EAT THEM #thestruggleisreal.
I'll stop yelling now.
I've actually made quite a few different versions of this salad before, like this Beetroot Lentil Salad , and generally just when I need something quick to make.
We had friends around for dinner on Sunday and I needed a quick recipe that I could organise earlier, so I could just throw it together when they arrived.
It's that simple!
I did my prep earlier in the day by roasting the beets and cooking the Israeli cous cous and all I had to do was to throw everything together with a bit of balsamic glaze when they arrived! Voila! So easy!
How to make a Beetroot Goat Cheese Salad
As mentioned before, this beetroot goat cheese salad is really quick and easy to make.
Israeli CousCous (Pearl Couscous)
You'll start by cooking the Israeli couscous (or Pearl couscous). Pearl couscous is one of my favorite couscous varieties to use.
I love it for a summer Israeli Couscous Salad, and it also works perfect for this beetroot goat cheese salad. Israeli/Pearl couscous is easy to find in all supermarkets.
The cooking ration for Israeli couscous is 1 cup of couscous to 1.5 cups of water. Rather than the absorption method I use for regular couscous, I start by boiling the 1.5 cups of water, then add in the couscous and reduce to simmer until it is absorbed.
Israeli couscous has a tendency to get a little stuck after cooking, so you'll need to use a fork to 'fluff up' the couscous to separate the grains.
Roasting Beetroot
The key to roasting the beetroot for this recipe, is to make sure the beetroot it cut into even sized pieces. This will ensure even cooking time.
I drizzle over a little olive oil and add some salt and pepper and roast at 400F/200C for 40 minutes or so, until it is cooked through.
Dressing for Beetroot Salad
The dressing for this beetroot salad is simply balsamic glaze. I love using balsamic glaze for salads as it is so simple, and in this case, really cuts through the tanginess of the goat cheese.
Balsamic glaze is simply a thick balsamic vinegar which is sweetened and it is the bomb!
I use store bought balsamic glaze, because it really is just easier than making your own balsamic reduction at home. Generally you can find balsamic glaze in the oil/vinegar section of your supermarket and it's around $6-$7 each.
It's great to use on salads and for roast vegetables and in my opinion, is definitely a pantry staple to invest in!
Bringing the salad together
The 'green' base for this salad is arugula/rocket. I love the pepperiness of the arugula/rocket combined with the sweetness of the beetroot and tanginess of the goat cheese.
After you add your arugula/rocket to a salad bowl, you'll simple top with the Israeli couscous, the beetroot and finish with the goat cheese, walnuts and balsamic glaze.
This beetroot goat cheese salad is a solid salad designed to fill you up! It's perfect for fall or winter entertaining, or every day weeknight dinners and meal prep. The flavour combination will knock your socks off!
Georgie x x
Want more Beetroot Recipes?
- Beetroot Lentil Salad
- Smoked Salmon Salad with beetroot
- Spicy Beetroot Hummus
- Beetroot Ravioli
- Roasted Beetroot Salad with Halloumi
Beetroot Goat Cheese Salad with Israeli Cous Cous
Ingredients
- 4 beetroots medium sized, roughly diced into 1 inch pieces
- 2 cups arugula/rocket also known as rocket
- 4 oz goats cheese around 110g which is the size of a small block from the supermarket
- 1 cup Israeli cous cous see notes
- 1 ½ cups water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice the juice of half a lemon
- 2 tablespoon olive oil divided
- ½ cup walnuts roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze
- salt and pepper
Instructions
Prepare the beetroots
- Preheat oven to 200C/400F
- Place beetroots on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
- Toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
- Roast in oven 20-25 minutes, or until softened but still slightly crunchy.
- Remove and cool.
Prepare the cous cous
- Place water, lemon juice, salt and pepper and 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a medium size saucepan.
- Bring to boil, reduce heat and add cous cous.
- Simmer cous cous 8-10 minutes, or until water is absorbed and cous cous is al dente.
- Fluff with a fork to break up the cous cous and set aside. (note 2)
Assemble salad
- Place arugula/rocket in a salad bowl.
- Top with cous cous, and beetroot.
- Crumbled goat cheese over top and sprinkle over walnuts.
- Drizzle over a generous amount of balsamic glaze
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
So tell me! What's your favourite fall or winter salad? And I'd love to see you create this beetroot goat cheese salad!! Tag me on instagram @thehomecookskitchen so I can see your creations!
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Marie says
What a wonderful salad! The combo of beets and goat cheese is just so delicious. The addition of couscous is such a great idea too. Perfect to have as a light lunch.
Georgie says
It makes a great meal prep lunch! I love it thanks Marie
Melanie @ Bon Appét'Eat says
I love beets so much and actually don't eat it that often. I really like the addition of the couscous pearls, more filling! Yeah to another recipe in my repertoire!
Georgie says
Pearl Couscous is so lovely! I love how it adds a heartiness to the recipe! thanks Melanie
Catherine says
My daughter loves beets so I know she would love this salad. The addition of the goat cheese is perfect. Such a wonderful salad!
Georgie says
thats so cool! the goat cheese really adds some creaminess to it!
Jenni LeBaron says
I love beets, but the addition of couscous in this is great. What a fantastic salad!
Georgie says
thanks Jenni, the couscous definitely bulks it up a bit! I love it!
Cindy Gordon says
I am a HUGE goat cheese fan! It pairs so well with beetroot! This salad is delicious!
Georgie says
goat cheese is one of my favorite cheeses!!! thanks Cindy 🙂
PRAJAKTA SUKHATME says
A perfect salad. It has everything I love . Beautiful salads make any mundane dinners look so fancy. This is certainly one of them. Looks so beautiful and healthy.
Georgie says
thank you Prajakta! it is a great salad for weeknight meals and so colorful!
Danielle says
Beetroot and goats cheese is such a lovely combination. The perfect simple summer salad!
Georgie says
absolutely! the creaminess of the cheese pairs so well with the earthy beets and peppery arugula!
Deepika|TheLoveOfCakes says
I love a good salad! By good I mean, something that is wholesome and delish! Has fresh flavors and a bit of nutty crunch too!! This sounds lovely! Roasted beets, goat cheese, couscous and balsamic vinegar dressing! Everything sounds yummy!!
Jenny | The Baking Skillet says
This salad looks so good and hearty! I love salads that have components especially for the cool weather 🙂
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says
Oh I love beets SO MUCH! This salad has all kinds of my favorite things packed in :). I'll come for dinner at your house any time!