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Beet & Walnut Salad
Cowboy Cooking Vegan

Vegan Blue Ridge Beet & Walnut Salad

This vibrant Vegan Blue Ridge Beet & Walnut Salad recipe combines earthy roasted beets, crunchy walnuts, crisp apples, and a maple-Dijon vinaigrette for a refreshing plant-based dish inspired by the Blue Ridge Mountains. Perfect for healthy lunches, picnics, and seasonal menus, this salad is gluten-free, dairy-free, and packed with wholesome flavor.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Calories: 290
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 medium beets scrubbed and trimmed
  • 5 oz mixed spring greens or arugula
  • ½ cup raw or toasted walnuts chopped
  • ½ small red onion thinly sliced
  • ½ avocado sliced (optional for creaminess)
  • ¼ cup dried cranberries or golden raisins
  • 1 small apple crisp variety like Honey-crisp, diced or thinly sliced
  • Vegan cheese crumbles optional, such as cashew-based feta
For the Maple-Dijon Vinaigrette:
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • Pinch of sea salt & fresh cracked black pepper

Method
 

  1. Roast the Beets
  2. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Wrap beets in foil and place on a baking sheet. Roast for 45 minutes, or until tender when pierced with a fork. Let cool slightly, then peel and dice into bite-sized chunks.
  3. Make the Vinaigrette
  4. In a small jar or bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified. Set aside.
  5. Assemble the Salad
  6. In a large bowl, gently toss the greens, beets, apple, red onion, walnuts, and dried cranberries. Drizzle with vinaigrette and toss again to combine.
  7. Top It Off
  8. Add avocado slices and optional vegan cheese just before serving for extra richness.

Notes

* For a smoky twist, add a pinch of smoked paprika to the vinaigrette.
* This salad pairs beautifully with crusty sourdough or grilled corn on the cob.
* Make it heartier by adding quinoa or chickpeas.