Tara Teaspoon

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Cookbooks
  • Newsletter
  • Shop
  • About
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Cookbooks
    • Newsletter
    • Shop
    • About
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    TaraTeaspoon » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Beet and Roasted Carrot Salad with Kale, Spicy Pecans and Goat Cheese

    Published: Dec 11, 2020 · Updated: Oct 6, 2022 by Tara Teaspoon · This page contains affiliate and sponsored links. See my full disclosure

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
    beet and carrot salad with spiced pecans on black plate

    Pickled beet and carrot salad is delicious with goat cheese, baby kale and candied pecans. It's a gorgeous side dish or healthy meal during the fall and winter seasons. I'll tell you how to make it incredible tasting.

    close up of roasted carrots and beets with goat cheese
    Jump to:
    • Beets and carrot recipe with loads of flavor
    • Tips for making this side dish:
    • Holiday Side Hustle: Ask a question - you could win!
    • Roasted carrot salad and side dish
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Once I've convinced you of how amazing this recipe is, you'll want to try my other beets and carrot recipes:

    • Blackened Salmon Sliders with Pickled Beets Relish
    • Creamy Polenta with Roasted Winter Veggies
    • Beet and Cheese Tartlets
    • Roasted Vegetable Trio with Orange and Thyme
    • The New Wedge Salad with Beets
    • Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
    • Veggie Loaded Carnitas Tacos
    • Golden Potato and Carrot Gratin
    • Shredded Carrot Salad with Apple and Lime

    Beets and carrot recipe with loads of flavor

    Roasted tri-color carrots and kale are delicious with sweet and tangy pickled beets and goat cheese. Topped with maple-candied pecans, this recipe is a beautiful side dish or salad.

    Simple roasted vegetables are always tasty prepared in the most basic way. I've taken that a step further and cooked the carrots in an easy vinaigrette mixture. This little step adds loads of flavor.

    Using Aunt Nellie's pickled beets gives this roasted carrot recipe a tangy and sweet burst on the taste buds! Plus you don't need to go to the trouble of cooking and peeling beets when you use jarred pickled beets.

    I've used spices like coriander, and garlic powder on the carrots and red pepper flakes on the sweet pecans to add even more layers of flavor. And they are spices you most likely already have in your cupboard.

    I love using spices I already have. Here are all my tips on using herbs and spices in your pantry.

    roasted carrots with beets and kale

    Tips for making this side dish:

    I've got a few tips for making this beet and carrot salad so your side dish is the hit of the table.

    • 1. Line the baking pan with foil. This is of course great for easy cleanup, but also keeps the seasoned carrots from sticking to the pan.
    • 2. Cook the carrots on high heat; I cook them at 400ºF. They get some caramelized color and flavor at the same time they get tender.
    • 3. Use a non-stick skillet to candy the pecans. All the maple sugar sticks to the nuts instead of the pan.
    • 4. Use pickled beets to add another layer of flavor to the side dish. Pickled beets come whole or sliced and you can use either. I nestled sliced beets into the salad because I think they look beautiful.
    Holiday Side Hustle logo for promotion

    Holiday Side Hustle: Ask a question - you could win!

    This is big! I'm partnering with Aunt Nellie's to answer all of your holiday cooking questions. We're focusing on the best part of holiday meals, THE SIDES!

    Just click over to the social post and ask your questions about making your holiday table more festive with the dishes you serve, to be entered into the giveaway. You could win a free Live Life Deliciously cookbook and a case of Aunt Nellie's Beets.

    Then, tune in on Instagram Tuesday, December 22nd, where I'll be answering your questions and announcing the winners LIVE!

    Check out #HolidaySideHustle

    Creating a beautiful holiday table

    If you're hosting this holiday, I have some Christmas dinner party ideas. Simple table decorations and ways to use leftovers for an easy breakfast!

    With just a little planning you can have a lovely meal, great Christmas side dishes like this beet and carrot salad, and a gorgeous table, all from supplies at your local store!

    Check out my easy Christmas entertaining article for all of the details.

    aunt nellie's beets with roasted carrot salad

    Roasted carrot salad and side dish

    I find I feed a myriad of different diets at most dinners. Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, Keto, you name it! I like to have side dishes that are colorful, hearty and flavorful so those with varied diets can enjoy every meal.

    This recipe can be a side dish or a salad, depending on the rest of the menu. This is a roasted carrot salad if served alone, or with some rustic bread or soup.

    This is a side dish when served with Thanksgiving dinner or on the Christmas table with prime rib or ham.

    pickled beets with roasted carrots and candied pecans

    How do you make easy candied nuts?

    I didn't even use sugar for these candied nuts! I simply cooked pecans in a non-stick skillet with maple syrup.

    As the maple syrup reduces and caramelizes it candies the nuts and creates a sweet coating. I added red pepper flakes for a little heat and punch.

    Aunt Nellie's pickled beets add flavor to this side dish, and pairing them with the crunchy, candied pecans is so dreamy.

    What vegetables pair well with beets?

    The best pickled beets recipe is one with other veggies. I love them with roasted carrots like this dish.

    You can pair beets with other fall vegetables like squash, sweet potatoes, and even broccoli and cauliflower.

    Sweet beets are delightful with greens in salads and with hearty greens like kale. Baby kale is the perfect companion in this side dish recipe.

    📖 Recipe

    kale and beets with roasted carrots and goat cheese on a black platter

    Beet and Roasted Carrot Salad with Kale, Spicy Pecans and Goat Cheese

    Tara Teaspoon
    Roasted tri-color carrots and kale are delicious with sweet and tangy pickled beets and goat cheese. The candied nuts are a bonus!
    4.80 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Work Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 55 minutes mins
    Course Salad, Side Dish
    Servings 6 to 8

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 tablespoons olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar ((or red wine vinegar))
    • 4 tablespoons maple syrup (DIVIDED)
    • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 2 lbs tri-color carrots (peeled and cut into 3-to 4-inch pieces)
    • ½ cup toasted pecans
    • ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • 1 jar (16-oz jar) Aunt Nellie's sliced pickled beets (drained)
    • 2 cups baby kale ((or chopped kale))
    • 3 oz goat cheese (crumbled)

    Instructions
     

    • Heat oven to 400ºF. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil, set aside.
    • Make the dressing: In a bowl whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, 2 tablespoons of the maple syrup, coriander garlic powder, and salt.
    • On the lined baking sheet, toss the carrots with half of the dressing. Reserve the other half. Roast carrots until tender and caramelizing, 35 to 40 minutes.
    • While carrots cook, in a small non-stick skillet, over medium-high heat, combine pecans, remaining 2 tablespoons maple syrup, and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring occasionally until maple syrup has reduced and has coated the pecans. Remove from heat and set aside.
    • When carrots are done, arrange on a platter with the beets and kale. Drizzle with remaining dressing and top with candied pecans and crumbled goat cheese.

    Notes

    As a side dish, this recipe serves 6 to 8 or more, depending on how many other dishes you are serving. 
    As a salad, it can be served in larger portions and might serve 4 to 6.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 318kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 6gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 556mgPotassium: 657mgFiber: 5gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 27649IUVitamin C: 36mgCalcium: 124mgIron: 1mg
    Get exclusive recipes sent to your inbox!Sign up for Tara's newsletter for more.

    Fall Side Dishes

    • A bowl of 4 cheese mac and cheese with ground pepper on top.
      4 Cheese Mac and Cheese
    • Close up of a partially unwrapped honey cornbread muffin with honey dripping off the top.
      Honey Cornbread Muffins
    • Close up of slice of sweet potato cornbread with honey drizzle.
      Sweet Potato Cornbread
    • Bowl of mashed potatoes with butter and scallions on a Thanksgiving table.
      Fluffy Mashed Potatoes
    • Close up spoon full of mashed potatoes with melty cheese on top.
      Cheesy Mashed Potatoes Recipe
    • close up of rosemary mashed potatoes in a bowl with fresh rosemary garnish
      Rosemary Mashed Potatoes
    • bowl of boston baked beans with bacon
      Easy Boston Baked Beans (with Canned Beans)
    • toasted bread crumbs on caramelized onion and smoked gouda mac and cheese
      Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese with Breadcrumbs
    Tara in kitchen making salad

    Tara Teaspoon

    I’ve been in food publishing for over 25 years, creating recipes & food-styling for magazines, books, television, food brands, & advertising. With two cookbooks under my belt and thousands of my recipes at your fingertips, I hope you'll be inspired to spend more time in the kitchen!

    More about Tara

    Comments

      4.80 from 5 votes (2 ratings without comment)

      Review Or Ask A Question! Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating





      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Megan Palmer says

      December 31, 2020 at 3:31 pm

      I love the addition of goat cheese to this recipe!

      Reply
    2. Mia says

      January 01, 2021 at 2:03 pm

      Okay! We tried this recipe and LOVED it! But we really love beets at our house and they add such great flavor to this side. There was a little of the marinade/dressing left over and it was great on a tossed salad the next day also!

      Reply
      • Tara says

        January 09, 2021 at 8:14 pm

        That's fantastic!

        Reply
    3. Melony says

      February 13, 2023 at 6:47 pm

      I love beets! I'm always trying to find ways to add beets to salads. I made this recipe for a group of major foodies and it was the favorite recipe of the evening. Tara is brilliant and her recipes always have something special or unique. Plus, it's colorful. You eat with your eyes first!

      Reply

    Hi, I'm Tara Teaspoon!

    I’ve been sharing my original ideas for years. What began as a passion, turned into a publishing career as Food Editor at Martha Stewart Living and Ladies’ Home Journal magazines.

    Now I write cookbooks, and share delicious recipes and expert cooking tips with you here! Thanks for stopping by Tara Teaspoon!

    More about me →

    Popular

    • square feature image of turkey pot pie with biscuits on top in a cast iron skillet.
      Turkey Pot Pie with Biscuits
    • featured image of the perfect slice of lemon lush icebox dessert.
      Lemon Lush
    • feature square of swiss meringue buttercream from Live Life Deliciously cookbook.
      Swiss Meringue Buttercream Recipe
    • Three stacked Easter blondies on a small white plate.
      Mini Egg Cookie Bars

    Cookbooks

    Tara Teaspoon Cookbooks

    Footer

    Subscribe for emails and exclusive updates!

    Sign me up!
    Tara Teaspoon horizontal logo

    ↑back to top

    Explore

    • Recipe Index
    • Cookbooks
    • New Posts
    • Newsletter Subscribe

    About

    • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Refund Policy
    • Disclaimer & Terms

    Copyright © 2025 Tara Teaspoon, Inc • Powered by Feast+

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.