This super easy Beet Salad with Goat Cheese is served on a bed of baby spinach and arugula with segmented oranges and chopped pistachios.
It’s an elegant and romantic side salad that’s bursting with flavor and texture.
![platter filled with beet salad plus goat cheese and pistachios.](https://iwashyoudry.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Beet-Salad-with-Goat-Cheese-11-1100x1650.jpg)
I’m using canned beets for this recipe, which make it super simple to throw together for a last minute salad. But if you’re wanting to use fresh beets, you can follow my simple, mess-free Instant Pot method for cooking beets!
Beet Salad with Goat Cheese
There’s something so iconic about beets and goat cheese. It’s the earthy flavor of the beets paired with the tangy bite of goat cheese that make them the perfect duo.
Ingredients Needed
Each ingredient in this beet salad plays a vital role in the whole dish. If you’re ready for a salad that will blow you away, you’ve gotta give this recipe a try.
Here’s the list of ingredients you’ll need, but as always, you can find the full printable recipe card below.
- Baby Spinach and Arugula Salad Mix
- Roasted Beets – cut into bite-size pieces (canned works perfectly)
- Oranges – segmented *or you can use canned mandarin oranges
- Goat Cheese – crumbled
- Pistachios – chopped
- Balsamic Glaze – try making it homemade or use store bought
![ingredients for beet and goat cheese salad on wooden surface.](https://iwashyoudry.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Beet-Salad-with-Goat-Cheese-01-1100x1574.jpg)
How To Assemble Beet Salad
This beet salad is really all about just putting ingredients together. It almost feels like cheating- how simple this recipe actually is.
SEGMENT ORANGE
The most work you’ll do in this recipe is segmenting an orange. What that means is to take it apart, without the peels and any of the membrane inside.
All you’ll be left with is the juicy insides of the orange.
![visual representation on how to segment an orange with a knife.](https://iwashyoudry.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/segment-orange-1100x1650.jpg)
Lop off the top and bottom of the orange, revealing the fleshy insides.
Then run a sharp knife down the sides of the orange, removing the peel all the way around.
Finally, use your knife to cut between each membrane of the orange slices.
*You can also use drained mandarin oranges if you prefer to skip this step.
![cut beets in white bowl with platter of spinach and arugula next to it.](https://iwashyoudry.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Beet-Salad-with-Goat-Cheese-06-1100x1512.jpg)
DRAIN BEETS
Canned beets have a lot of juice in them, so you’ll want to strain off any of the liquid. I like to place my beets on a few sheets of paper towels to absorb more of the red liquid. This helps to keep the salad nice and pretty during the presentation.
I’m using a canned version of beets, these are not pickled beets. However, using pickled beets is totally fine too! The salad will just be a little more on the sweet side.
ARUGULA AND BABY SPINACH
Place the arugula and baby spinach on a large platter or serving dish.
I love to use arugula for it’s peppery taste, which balances out perfectly with the earthy beets and sweet oranges.
![platter with beet and goat cheese salad and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.](https://iwashyoudry.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Beet-Salad-with-Goat-Cheese-07-1100x1503.jpg)
BALSAMIC GLAZE
Once you’ve placed down the salad mix, top with the cut beets, crumbled goat cheese and orange segments.
Finally, drizzle with balsamic glaze and extra virgin olive oil. Top with chopped pistachios and freshly ground salt and pepper.
Chef’s Kiss.
The flavors and textures in this simple beet salad with goat cheese is on par with something you would find at a 5 star restaurant.
Tips and Substitutions
Salads are great for customizing to your preference. Here are a couple simple swaps and additions you can make to this easy beet salad your own.
GOAT CHEESE – swap with crumbled feta
ORANGES – swap with canned oranges, grapefruit or chopped apples
PISTACHIOS – swap with toasted and sliced almonds or pecans (or leave out to keep it nut-free)
PROTEIN – add some cooked shrimp or chicken to make this salad a meal
ONION – add some thinly sliced purple onion or shallots for a bit of spice
![beet and goat cheese salad with arugula and oranges.](https://iwashyoudry.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Beet-Salad-with-Goat-Cheese-10-1100x1650.jpg)
My Favorite Beet Salad Pairings
Looking to serve this gorgeous beet salad for a special occasion like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, or just a simple date night in? Here are a few of my favorite main dishes to pair with this 5-star beet salad.
- Grilled Ribeye Steak
- Oven Baked Chicken Breast
- Air Fryer Salmon
- Million Dollar Roast Beef Tenderloin
I can’t wait for you to give this super simple beet salad with goat cheese recipe a try. I think you’re going to love it so much!
Beet Salad with Goat Cheese
Ingredients
- 5 oz Baby Spinach and Arugula Salad Mix
- 15 oz beets, canned, drained, cut
- 2 medium oranges, *see notes
- 2 oz goat cheese, crumbled
- ⅓ cup pistachios, chopped
- 2 tbsp balsamic glaze
- 1 tbsp olive oil, extra virgin, good quality
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Place the baby spinach and arugula salad mix on a large serving platter and set aside. Drain the canned beets and use paper towels to soak up any extra liquid from the beets. Sprinkle beets over the platter with the arugula mixture.
- Segment the oranges by cutting off the top and bottom ends of the outer peel, revealing the fleshy insides. Run a sharp knife down and around the orange, removing the orange peel completely. Cut in between each membrane of the orange, to remove the orange segments. Discard any of the membrane and orange peel. Scatter the segmented orange pieces over the salad.
- Top the salad with bits of crumbled goat cheese and chopped pistachios. Drizzle the balsamic glaze and extra virgin olive oil over the top and season with salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!
Doug Wright
This looks delicious! Can’t wait to make this. My wife is the chef of the house, but I have printed out MANY of your recipes and made several for our family or as surprises for her. Thanks for all the wonderful ideas AND (as a retired commercial photographer) the beautiful serving and mise en place photos.
Best,
Doug