Description
At its core, the Golden Beet & Goat Cheese Couscous Salad is a modern Mediterranean-inspired dish that marries classic culinary elements into a wholesome, texture-rich meal. It relies on the distinct personality of golden beets, which offer a milder, sweeter flavor than their red counterparts without the intense staining properties that often make red beets tricky to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
For the salad
- 3 medium golden beets, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 cup couscous
- 1 cup vegetable broth or water
- 3 oz (85 g) goat cheese, crumbled
- ½ cup walnuts or pecans, roughly chopped
- ½ cup dried cranberries or raisins
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the lemon dressing
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 small garlic clove, finely grated or minced
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Roast the beets
Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss the diced beets with 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25–30 minutes, turning once, until tender and lightly caramelized. - Cook the couscous
Bring the vegetable broth to a boil. Stir in the couscous, remove from the heat, cover, and let sit for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and allow it to cool slightly. - Make the dressing
Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic, salt, and pepper. - Combine
In a large bowl, combine the couscous, roasted golden beets, walnuts, cranberries, parsley, and mint. - Dress the salad
Pour the lemon dressing over the salad and gently toss. - Add the goat cheese
Fold in the crumbled goat cheese gently so it retains some texture. - Serve
Taste and adjust the seasoning. Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled.
Notes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 430 kcal
Keywords: golden beet and goat cheese couscous salad, roasted beet couscous salad with goat cheese, yellow beet couscous salad