Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for salad with goat cheese, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card. Despite having slightly more than 10 ingredients, this dish is still simple enough to be included on my “10 ingredients or less” site. It was too good not to share — and still so easy! The dressing and the salad each include less than 10 ingredients, and it’s all ready in less than 30 minutes.
Roasted Red Pepper Dressing:
Roasted Red Peppers – Make my sweet roasted red peppers at home using red bell peppers and olive oil, or use store-bought for convenience. Olive Oil – You could also use extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, or a neutral oil of choice. Balsamic Vinegar – The quality of your vinegar will impact the flavor in your dressing. This one from Modena, Italy is my favorite. You can also substitute other acidic ingredients, like apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. Honey – I prefer to use sugar-free honey, but any kind works. Maple syrup makes a good substitute if you don’t have honey. Garlic – Use fresh minced garlic for the best flavor or 1 teaspoon jarred minced garlic to save time. You can also substitute 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder. Italian Seasoning – Use a store-bought mix or make my quick homemade Italian seasoning in just 5 minutes. Sea Salt & Black Pepper
Goat Cheese Salad:
Chicken – I used boneless skinless chicken breasts, but you could also use boneless skinless chicken thighs or tenderloins instead. Or, use leftover baked chicken breasts or Instant Pot shredded chicken. Sea Salt & Black Pepper Olive Oil Greens – I used a spring mix as the base, but any greens will work in this recipe, such as romaine lettuce, arugula, spinach (including baby spinach), or butter lettuce. Sun-Dried Tomatoes – You can make your own homemade sun-dried tomatoes, or buy them. Julienned (thinly sliced) tomatoes are best for this recipe. If they’re packed in oil, drain them before using. Chop up any store-bought tomatoes that are not already julienned. Goat Cheese – Feta cheese would be a nice replacement if you don’t like goat cheese crumbles. Walnuts – You can also used sliced almonds, pine nuts, almonds, or pecans, but I prefer a goat cheese walnut salad. If you have a nut allergy, you can omit altogether, or use sunflower seeds or roasted chickpeas for crunch. Avocado – To pick the perfect avocado, remove the tip of the stem. The outside should be soft and the inside bright green — not brown.
How To Make Goat Cheese Salad
This section shows how to make a salad with goat cheese and walnuts, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card. Hard-boiled eggs, soft boiled eggs, cooked couscous, crumbled oven baked bacon, and thinly sliced red onions would all be delicious.
Storage Instructions
Store the salad components in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. If the salad is already mixed with dressing, it will only last 1 day. I recommend using a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees F. The dressing will keep in a Mason jar in the fridge for up to 1 week. It’s also fantastic on fish, shrimp, top sirloin steak, and roasted vegetables. I like to make a double batch during meal prep to use throughout the week!
More Goat Cheese Salad Recipes
If you like goat cheese, try it in these other fresh and fast salads! Please enter your first name for your account. Your saved recipe will also be sent to your email.
