If you need a holiday side dish that looks fancy but takes almost zero effort, this Festive Beet & Goat Cheese Salad is going to be your new go-to. It’s colorful, crowd-pleasing, full of whole ingredients, and perfect for Christmas, Thanksgiving, or any special gathering.
I love using Love Beets because they’re already cooked, organic, and have no added weird stuff — which makes this salad not only beautiful but clean-ingredient-friendly and incredibly simple to throw together.
This salad has that perfect mix of sweet, tangy, crunchy, and creamy. And the best part? It’s budget-friendly and ready in about 10 minutes, so you can focus on what matters: enjoying the holidays with your people.
Why You’ll Love This Festive Beet Salad
- Naturally gorgeous — the colors alone make your table feel special.
- Make-ahead friendly — assemble everything except the goat cheese and dressing.
- Clean-ingredient approved — no seed oils, no refined sugar.
- Works with pre-cooked beets, making prep effortless.
- Kid-friendly colors — even my boys get curious about the bright pink beets!
Ingredients
- 2 packs Love Beets, sliced or quartered
- 5 oz organic baby spinach or spring mix
- ½ cup crumbled goat cheese
- ¼ cup chopped pistachios or walnuts
- 1–2 mandarins or oranges, peeled and segmented
- ¼ small red onion, very thinly sliced
- Optional: pomegranate arils for extra holiday sparkle
Dressing:
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp honey (or omit for fully no-added-sugar)
- ½ tsp Dijon mustard
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add greens to a large serving bowl.
- Layer on the sliced beets, mandarins, onion, and nuts.
- Whisk together olive oil, balsamic, honey, Dijon, salt, and pepper.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving.
- Sprinkle goat cheese on top and add pomegranate arils if using.
Recipe Tips
- Make ahead: Prep everything except cheese + dressing. Add those right before serving.
- Swap it out: Feta works great instead of goat cheese.
- For more protein: Add grilled chicken or roasted chickpeas.
- For crunch: Candied pecans (homemade with honey) are amazing here.
How to Serve This Festive Beet Salad
This salad pairs beautifully with turkey, baked ham, steak, or any cozy holiday dinner. It’s also a great option for potlucks because the beets keep things colorful and vibrant even after sitting out.
FAQ
Can I use homemade roasted beets?
Absolutely! Just roast peeled, cubed beets at 400°F for 35–40 minutes.
Will the salad get soggy?
Only after dressing. Keep the dressing separate until ready to serve.
Save This Recipe for the Holidays!
If you’re building a cleaner, budget-friendly holiday menu this year, save this recipe so you can come back to it every season. It’s one of those dishes that looks like you tried much harder than you actually did — my favorite kind of holiday win.
FOR MORE INEXPENSIVE HOLIDAY RECIPES CHECK OUT THESE VIDEOS:
- $17 Easter Dinner
- 13 of the Best Easter Recipes
- 3 $20 Thanksgiving Menus! Mix and match or choose your favorite!
MORE THANKSGIVING RECIPES TO TRY:
- A Twist On Oprah’s Million Dollar Deviled Eggs (Deviled eggs are a must in my house!)
- Slow Cooker Turkey Tenderloin (perfect for a smaller gathering)
- 13 Amazing Easter Recipes Worth Trying!
Festive Beet, Brussels, and Goat Cheese Salad
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
Description
This bright and beautiful salad is everything you want during the holidays—fresh, festive, and effortless. Using ready-to-eat Love Beets makes prep a breeze, and the creamy goat cheese, crunchy pistachios, and sweet vinaigrette bring it all together. It feels elegant enough for a holiday table but simple enough for any weeknight in December.
Ingredients
- 1 full stalk of Brussels sprouts, shredded (I used my food processor, but pre-shredded works great to save time)
- 8oz crumbled goat cheese
- 2 packages Love Beets (ready-to-eat cooked beets), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon orange zest
- 1/3 cup chopped pistachios
- 1/4 cup maple balsamic dressing (recipe below) + more to taste (serve on the side) OR use your favorite store bought
Maple Balsamic Dressing:
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup aged balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/3 teaspoon each dried oregano, rosemary & thyme
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
- 1/4 teaspoon salt to taste
Get Recipe Ingredients
Instructions
-
Add shredded Brussels sprouts to a large bowl.
-
Add goat cheese, chopped Love Beets, orange zest, and pistachios.
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Shake all dressing ingredients in a mason jar until fully combined.
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Drizzle 1/4 cup dressing over the salad and toss gently.
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Serve with extra dressing on the side.
- Prep Time: 15
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