Roasted Beet and Carrot Salad with roasted balsamic beets and carrots, candied walnuts and a cranberry salad dressing is a festive salad that's perfect for the holidays!
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Table of Contents
*This recipe was originally published in November 2017 and has been updated with new text and photos and minor tweaks to the recipe. Scroll to the bottom to see an original photo.
Details on a few ingredients
- Fresh beets: I peel and chop my beets for this recipe, which can be a bit messy. But I prefer to do it this way, instead of roasting them whole, because they cook so quickly. To minimize the mess, you can always use golden beets or candy cane beets which release less colour than red beets.
- Carrots: It doesn't matter about the size of the whole carrots, but you want to make sure you cut them all in the same size slices so they roast evenly.
- Walnuts: These are candied with maple syrup and extra virgin olive oil to add a sweet and crunchy topping to the salad. It's super easy and quick to do on the stove top.
- Greens: I like to use a mix of spinach and arugula in this salad as the tender greens pair nicely with the hearty root vegetables. If you prefer firmer greens such as kale or swiss chard, they work too.
- Goat cheese: The tangy flavour and creamy texture of goat cheese pairs beautifully with beets. If you prefer a dairy-free salad, you can leave it out.
- Cranberry salad dressing: This is my favourite salad dressing for this salad. It's tart, savoury and sweet, and requires just five ingredients.
How to roast beets and carrots
- Preheat your oven to 425F. I find the higher temperature works best for root vegetables like beets and carrots. They get browned and tender quickly but they don't burn.
- Line your baking sheet with parchment paper for easy clean up.
- Peel and chop your beets into ½-inch cubes, and peel and slice your carrots into ½-inch thick slices. Cutting them all roughly the same size will ensure they cook evenly.
- To ensure they're well coated, I like to season my beets and carrots in a bowl before adding them to the baking sheet. I also season them in separate bowls to prevent the red beets from discolouring the carrots.
- Arrange the veggies on the prepared baking sheet. Again, I usually separate the beets and carrots, but that's optional.
- Use a large baking sheet to ensure the pan isn't overcrowded with veggies. If the beets and carrots are crowded together, they'll end up steaming instead of roasting.
- At 425F, the veggies should be done in about 30-35 minutes. The beets may take a little longer, so feel free to remove the carrots from the pan and continue roasting the beets for a few extra minutes.
- You'll want to flip the veggies at least once while roasting to ensure they're cooking evenly and not burning.
How to candy walnuts
- In a small bowl, add the walnuts, maple syrup and oil, and stir together until the walnuts are coated.
- Add to a greased skillet and cook over medium-low heat for 10-12 minutes, stirring constantly, until a sugary coating forms around the walnuts.
- Cooking over a medium-low heat and stirring constantly are key to preventing the walnuts from burning.
- When they're done, transfer them to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and separate the walnuts before they cool and clump together.
- Once cooled, store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Assembling the salad
- You can make this salad in one large bowl or divide the ingredients onto four small plates.
- Start with your greens and then layer on the beets, carrots, quinoa, walnuts and goat cheese (if using).
- You can either mix in the salad dressing, drizzle it on top or serve it on the side.
Frequently asked questions
How should you store the leftover salad?
If you've mixed the salad together with the dressing, I would try to eat it all right away as leftovers will not store well. The salad dressing will make the other ingredients a bit soggy and the walnuts may soften a bit too. If you think you'll have leftovers, just assemble individual salads and the store the remaining ingredients separately in the refrigerator. (Except for the walnuts, which should be stored at room temperature).
Can I make this roasted beet salad in advance?
If you'd like to meal prep or make this salad in advance, just prepare all the ingredients and store them separately in the refrigerator (except the walnuts) for 2-3 days and assemble the salad when ready to enjoy.
How do you reheat leftover roasted balsamic beets and carrots?
Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and reheat in the oven at 425F for 4-5 minutes.
Additional recipe tips and substitutions
- If you want to change up the recipe, you can use golden or candy cane beets. They have the same roasting time, so they're easily interchangeable.
- You can also try air frying the beets and carrots instead of roasting them.
- If you don't want your carrots to turn pink, I would avoid mixing the carrots and beets together. Keep them separate when seasoning and roasting.
- The quinoa is added for heartiness. You can leave it out, or replace it with rice or lentils if you prefer.
- I usually add crumbled goat cheese to the top of the salad, but to keep this salad dairy-free, just leave it out.
Other roasted beet recipes you might enjoy
- Roasted Beet Hummus with white beans
- Roasted Root Vegetable Salad with warm kale
- Beet Hummus Asparagus Tart with almond crust
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📖 Recipe
Roasted Beet and Carrot Salad with Candied Walnuts
Roasted Beet and Carrot Salad with roasted balsamic beets and carrots, candied walnuts and a cranberry salad dressing is a festive salad that's perfect for the holidays!
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Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
For the roasted beets and carrots:
- 2 cups chopped beets, ½-inch cubes
- 2 cups sliced carrots, ½-inch thick
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1.5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
For the candied walnuts:
- 1 cup raw walnut halves
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
For the salad:
- 6 cups arugula and/or spinach
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- ¼ cup goat cheese
Cranberry salad dressing
Instructions
- Roast the beets and carrots: Preheat oven to 425F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the beets and carrots in separate bowls. Divide the vinegar, oil and seasonings between the two bowls and toss to combine. Spread the beets and carrots out on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until fork tender. Flip them once or twice to ensure they brown evenly and don't burn.
- Candy the walnuts: In a small bowl, add the walnuts, maple syrup and oil. Stir until walnuts are coated. Grease a skillet and add the walnuts. Cook over medium-low heat for 10-12 minutes, stirring constantly, until a sugary coating forms around the walnuts. Transfer the walnuts to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and separate the walnuts before they cool and clump together. Once cooled, store in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Assemble the salad: Start with your greens and then layer on the beets, carrots, quinoa, walnuts and goat cheese. You can either mix in the salad dressing, drizzle it on top or serve it on the side
Notes
- Cutting the beets and carrots in roughly the same size will ensure they cook evenly. If you cut them into larger pieces, you'll need to increase the roasting time.
- To ensure they're well coated, I like to season my beets and carrots in a bowl before adding them to the baking sheet. I also season them in separate bowls to prevent the red beets from discolouring the carrots.
- Use a large baking sheet to ensure the pan isn't overcrowded. If you crowd the beets and carrots, they'll end up steaming instead of roasting.
- I usually separate the beets and carrots on the baking sheet to prevent the carrots from turning pink from the beets.
- The beets may take a little longer to roast, so feel free to remove the carrots from the pan and continue roasting them for a few minutes.
- You can make this salad in one large bowl or divide the ingredients onto four small plates.
- I usually add crumbled goat cheese to the top of the salad, but to keep this salad dairy-free, just leave it out.
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Nutrition Facts per Serving
Calories: 454kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 16g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 462mg | Potassium: 802mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 11766IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 165mg | Iron: 4mg
Disclaimer
Nutrition information is an estimate only and will vary depending on the substitutions made and the brands used.
Did you make this recipe or have any questions?
I love reading your comments and addressing your questions, so please leave your comments and ratings or questions below!
Justine | JustineCelina.com says
Wow, this is my kind of salad! I love roasted veggie salads during the colder month and that dressing is truly stunning. Cranberry based dressings are such a great way to brighten up roasted flavours. Beautiful recipe!
Leanne says
Thanks Justine! I went through a period of adding cranberries to everything. But I really love them in this salad dressing, paired with the tahini. It definitely goes well with the roasted beets! Thanks for stopping by!
Dana says
This is hands-down one of my favorite types of salads. The earthiness from the beets, the sweetness and crunch from the jazzed up walnuts, and the creaminess from the soft goat cheese… I *just* had a salad like this last weekend at a restaurant and it was EVERYTHING.
Leanne says
I love your description Dana! It's that combination of ingredients that makes this type of salad one of my faves too! Of course, I love any salad with roasted veggies and goat cheese! The best!
Chef Markus Mueller | Earth, Food, and Fire says
Delicious looking salad! While I do love my leaf salads switching things up and making a root veg salad is nice...especially when its cold out. Love the bright colors too!
Leanne says
Thanks Markus! Roasted veggie salads are definitely perfect for winter! I'm hanging on to this one for a bit, but if I'm being honest, I can't wait to transition to more light and spring-ish salads!
Elaine says
Love that cranberry dressing! That is such a great idea for a winter salad, and especially for one as beautiful and healthy as this one!
Leanne says
Thanks Elaine! I've made the cranberry dressing for so many different salads. It's definitely versatile! Thanks for stopping by!
Jo Vanderwolf says
Beets in a salad are my new favorite thing, and I love the color of that dressing! Thank you for sharing.
Leanne says
Thanks Jo! I love roasted beets in salad too, especially paired with goat cheese and this dressing! Have a great day!
Albert Bevia says
this sounds and looks stunning, so many great ingredients in this dish, love that you topped it off with goat cheese, this is a real winner in my books!
Leanne says
Thanks Albert! I would top everything off with goat cheese if I could have my way ;).
Marilyn Combden says
Tried this salad and loved it. The dressing was delicious. I will definitely do again.
This from Crumb Top Baking's Mom. So proud of you .
Leanne says
Thanks Mom!:) So glad you liked the recipe, especially the dressing!
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says
A mug of green tea and a fire sounds pretty good right about now! Beets are one of my FAAAAVORITE veggies. Pile them in a salad with amazing cranberry balsamic dressing and I'm a happy girl. While no salad can convince me that snow is a good thing, this one comes the closest :). Stay warm, Leanne!
Leanne says
Thanks Kelsie! I've been pretty happy all week eating this salad for lunch every day! The beets and quinoa really make it a hearty meal. Perfect for colder weather!
Katherine | Love In My Oven says
This looks so cozy, and perfect for fall Leanne! I'm so jealous that you haven't had snow yet - we're already covered in it!! Those roasted beets would definitely get me through a snowy day though 😉 Cheers!
Leanne says
We have some friends out west, so we've been seeing some pics of the wintery weather. Our time on the east coast is coming ;)! In the meantime, I have this cozy salad to keep me company! Stay warm Katherine!!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
We did totally luck out so far this fall with the weather, but I did hear through the grapevine that this winter will be rough, but who knows! Girl, I absolutely LOVE Hawkin's cheezies! OMG- SO good, right?? Dangerously good, lol. We had less trick or treaters than last year, so we have lots of treats hanging around so I feel ya about overindulging.
Love a good salad, especially when it has some of my favourite things! Roasted beets have so much flavour and goat cheese paired with it is awesome! I could eat a salad like this every day....so much better for me than eating a chocolate bar or cheezies every day 😉
Leanne says
Hawkins cheezies are the best! Is that just a Newfoundland thing? We had fewer trick or treaters this year too, so the treats are hanging around the house and tempting me. But this salad is definitely saving the day. I don't often roast beets, but I've roasted so many lately, I have enough for salads all week! As for the weather, I think we've been spoiled, and will probably get nailed with an early so storm. On the bright side, we could get a snow day?!? 🙂