1-Step 1: Prep and Roast the Beets Preheat your oven to 400°F and wash the beets well to remove any dirt. Drizzle each beet with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, then wrap them tightly in foil. Place them on a baking sheet and roast for 40 to 90 minutes until they’re tender when poked with a fork. Once done, let them cool, peel the skins under water, and slice into ¼-inch rounds before chilling.

2-Step 2: Make the Dressing Whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, a bit of maple syrup, garlic, and mustard for a tangy vinaigrette. This step takes just a minute and can be done ahead to save time. The dressing adds a bright kick that ties the whole salad together.

3-Step 3: Assemble the Salad Layer your salad greens, sliced shallots, apples, toasted walnuts, goat cheese, beets, and microgreens in a bowl. Drizzle the vinaigrette over the top and season with flaky sea salt and fresh black pepper. Serve right away for the best taste and texture. It takes about 15 minutes to prepare everything, plus roasting time, so plan accordingly.

4-Step 4: Nutritional and Time Tips The salad is full of healthy stuff like fiber from beets and vitamins from greens, making it a great side dish. Preparation takes about 15 minutes plus 40 to 90 minutes for roasting, but you can prep beets and dressing in advance. Use tips like mixing beet types for variety or toasting walnuts for extra crunch to make it even better.