Goat Cheese and Walnut Salad: Easy Balsamic Starter with Honey (61) 2026

This goat cheese and walnut salad is proof that a dish does not need to be complicated to impress. Creamy rounds of goat cheese, crunchy walnuts and tender lettuce come together in a bowl and get finished with a glossy balsamic vinaigrette that ties everything together.

It is the kind of starter that works just as well for a weeknight dinner as it does on a holiday table, and it comes together in about ten minutes with no cooking at all. A small log of goat cheese makes neat, uniform slices, though a larger format cut into bite-size pieces works just fine too.

For the greens, a mix of lettuce sprouts gives lovely color and texture, but any lettuce you already have in the fridge will do. The dressing is a simple emulsion of extra virgin olive oil, Modena vinegar and a pinch of salt, and it pairs beautifully with the tangy cheese and earthy nuts.

Ingredients for Goat Cheese and Walnut Salad

This makes a fresh starter for 2 people.

• 120 g goat cheese
• 6 walnuts
• 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Modena vinegar
• Salt
• 100 g lettuce sprouts

How to Make Goat Cheese and Walnut Salad Step by Step

1. Slice the cheese and chop the walnuts

Cut 120 g of goat cheese into slices about half a centimeter thick. Crack open 6 walnuts and cut them into pieces roughly the same size as the cheese slices.

2. Make the balsamic vinaigrette

In a bowl, combine 6 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons of Modena vinegar and a pinch of salt. Whisk well until the vinaigrette is fully emulsified.

3. Build the salad

In a salad bowl, lay 100 g of lettuce sprouts as the base and arrange the goat cheese slices and walnuts on top.

4. Dress the salad

Spoon the balsamic vinaigrette over the salad, drizzling it evenly over the cheese, walnuts and greens.

5. Serve

With that, your goat cheese and walnut salad is ready to serve.

Tips for the Best Goat Cheese and Walnut Salad

Choose the right goat cheese

A small goat cheese log is ideal because it slices into neat, uniform rounds. If you only have a larger format, cut it into bite-size pieces instead so every forkful gets some cheese.

Use any lettuce you have

A mix of lettuce sprouts adds color and delicate texture, but you can swap in your favorite lettuce or whatever is already in the fridge without changing the character of the dish.

Emulsify the vinaigrette well

Whisk the olive oil, Modena vinegar and salt until the dressing comes together and looks glossy. A well-emulsified vinaigrette coats the leaves evenly instead of pooling at the bottom of the bowl.

30 Recipes I Keep Coming Back to in My Own Kitchen

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a go-to lineup that covers cozy classics, well-known dishes from around the globe, and desserts that make everyone at the table happy.

Some nights I want something luxurious, and that's when I reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a truly indulgent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And whenever a fruity, comforting sweet sounds right, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is the one I make.

Mornings and lighter meals call for these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a filling Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple to keep in the pantry, this straightforward Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe is one I rely on.

For small plates and Mediterranean cooking, I bounce between this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, velvety Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe also comes out when I want the meal to feel a bit more special.

Hearty midday meals and snug evening dinners? I'm always pointing people toward this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply savory Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and silky Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. When I need something more substantial, out comes this oven-baked Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the deeply soothing French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

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Even More Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of cooking, testing, and tweaking in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the greatest dishes are built on straightforward methods, dependable technique, and serious flavor.

Every recipe gathered here is one I genuinely come back to time and time again—whether it's a fast solo meal or a spread I'm putting together for loved ones.

On the sweet side, the rich, velvety Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a go-to when I want something that feels fancy yet comes together easily. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled on the well-known Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture helps a lot, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When something light and uncomplicated is what I'm after, I'll go with the timeless Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a spot-on Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For cozier, heartier fare, I'm quick to suggest the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the luscious Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the speedy weeknight winner One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm also a big fan of sharing dishes with roots around the world, like the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the traditional Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another category I turn to often, since it's quick and still delivers terrific texture. The ones I make most are Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for anyone steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be rich, cheesy, and deeply satisfying without any gluten.

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