This easy beet and arugula salad is made with fresh beets, arugula, hemp hearts, & goat cheese, drizzled with a balsamic glaze and topped off with lemon juice. It's done in just 5 minutes, and great with edamame or chicken added.

PIN HERE to add this beet and arugula salad to your recipe box.
How it’ll make your life easier
Simple ingredients make for a simple beet and arugula salad. There are lots of different ways you can get the ingredients-fresh unpeeled beets, cooked beets, canned beets. You can also steam or roast them. Any way this salad will turn out great.
Buy pre prepared ingredients for your beet and arugula salad or raw and do the work yourself. The only difference is the 30-40 minutes that it takes to cook the beets.
In the mood for more salads? This Spinach Strawberry Salad, Spinach Mandarin Orange Salad, Rainbow Coleslaw, and Shaved Zucchini Salad with Corn are all great options.
What makes this salad so great?

How to assemble the beet and goat cheese salad
Steam beets in an instant pot if you have one. It's low mess, low energy, and you can set it & forget about it. If not, quarter them and roast in the oven. Or if you're short on time, buy precooked beets for this beet and arugula salad.

Heat up your goat cheese in the microwave for just 10-20 seconds. It'll get warm and super creamy. You're welcome.
Place a large handful of arugula (or another lettuce) on a plate (or a bowl).

Add sliced beets (either hot or cold) on top of your greens.

Then add a few spoon sized dollops of goat cheese on top.

Sprinkle your beet and arugula salad with hemp hearts, then drizzle balsamic reduction (or balsamic vinegar) and squeeze fresh lemon juice on top to add a hit of acid to your salad.
Enjoy your beet and arugula salad as is or make a few substitutions like I mentioned above.

FAQ
Honestly, I don't notice a big enough difference between steamed and roasted beets.
I'll usually roast them, especially if I'm already using my oven, but I've been steaming them in my Instant Pot recently because they're easier and it doesn't heat up my apartment as much as using the oven.
If you're short on time or desire to cook them up yourself you can buy them precooked or canned. Maybe it's just me, but I like all versions, especially in salads.
I'm a huge fan of 1) a simple beet salad and 2) adjusting this recipe as I need to. Swap out the hemp hearts for chopped pistachios. Swap the lemon juice for tangy berries (hello blackberries!), steamed for roasted beets.
One recommendation I'd make though, is to microwave the goat cheese for just 10 seconds, it gets soft, easy to spread, and super creamy when it's warmed.
Add a handful of steamed edamame and your favorite crusty bread to this beet and arugula salad. You can also use any protein/grain that you already have in the fridge such as grilled chicken or rice, farro, or other grain.

Easy ways to use up the ingredients from this recipe
- Use up the arugula by making this strawberry salad
- Beet, avocado, and goat cheese salad via Foodie Crush
Pickle them. OMG. - Pickled beets via Half Baked Harvest
- Beet, goat cheese, and honey tarts via How Sweet Eats.
Did you make this easy beet and arugula salad? leave me a comment to share how it turned out!
Easy Beet and Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese
Equipment
- knife
- cutting board
- Measuring Spoons
- Measuring Cups
- Large mixing bowl
- tongs
Ingredients
- 2 cups arugula
- ½ whole beet cooked and chopped
- 1 oz goat cheese
- 1 teaspoon hemp hearts
- ½ tablespoon balsamic glaze such as Sprout's brand
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Assemble salad by starting with arugula (2 c), then add chopped beets (½ whole), using a spoon, scoop up goat cheese (1 oz) and place into 3-4 dollops on salad, sprinkle hemp hearts (1 tsp) on top.
- Then drizzle balsamic glaze (½ tbsp) over salad and squeeze lemon juice (½ tsp) on top.
- Finish with freshly ground salt and pepper if desired.
Video
Notes
- Want to steam your own beets? Follow these simple instructions
- Add grilled chicken or edamame & a slice of your favorite crusty bread to make this salad into a full meal.
- You can substitute the balsamic glaze with a drizzle of olive oil & balsamic vinegar.
Want to get more single serving recipes like this beet and arugula salad delivered to your inbox? Click here to download my Single Serving Cookbook.
Recipes are great, but you’ll need a simple 3 step process to create a meal plan that make cooking easy & helps you stop wasting food. Check out this expertly developed meal planning guide to get started.
Ellen says
This salad sounds so delicious! I'd roast the beets too. I think there were be so much more flavor!
Rebecca says
ya roasted beets are great!
Julia says
Mmm...this salad has all my favorite ingredients. Love how refreshing and flavorful it is!
Rebecca says
thanks! it's easy & delish
Heidy L. McCallum says
I love beets and love arugula even more so this salad recipe is a great idea. My husband isn't fond of either of them but MORE for me is what I always say. He can have his plain Jane meat and potatoes and I will make one of your delicious salads and something else. OR I can take this for lunch one day.
Rebecca says
haha! I feel ya, it does complicate things when you have different preferences than who you're cooking for. But at least you can see that you get more!!
Katherine says
This salad looks so vibrant and tasty. I love the addition of hemp hearts too!
Rebecca says
thanks! it's an easy addition
Beth Pierce says
I love how healthy and savory this salad is! This will make the perfect lunch this week; yum!
Rebecca says
it totally would! enjoy
Abbey Sharpe says
I love simple salads like this! So fresh, healthy, and no fuss