Sweet, salty and seriously tasty, this goat’s cheese salad is going to make your taste buds explode!
It’s a breeze to put together, which makes it perfect for a quick tasty lunch of a light midweek dinner. So, you want to know how to make the perfect goat’s cheese salad. Here’s how…
It’s a breeze to put together, which makes it perfect for a quick tasty lunch of a light midweek dinner. So, you want to know how to make the perfect goat’s cheese salad. Here’s how…
Products you need for this recipe
There are a few key products you need to make this goats cheese salad:
- Frying pan – every foodie needs a quality frying pan in the kitchen
- Mixing bowl – every salad maker’s best friend, a quality large bowl for mixing is a must
- Panko crumbs – the perfect way to add a bit of crunch to your salad. Panko crumbs are no normal breadcrumbs,
- Balsamic glaze – a fantastic way to finish off a salad
Goats cheese salad recipe
This recipe proves that salads are far more than just a few green leaves and some dressing mixed together in a bowl. They really don’t have to be boring – in fact, a proper salad gets those creative juices flowing and mixes some proper flavour… with mouthwatering results.
This goats cheese salad is simply divine and relies on a few big ingredients and several subtle flavours. The goat’s cheese is obviously a winner – slightly salty, earthy and so very moreish.
When breadcrumbed with panko, it takes on a whole new dimension. I’m talking seriously irresistible flavours here. Add salad leaves like spinach, walnuts and sundried tomatoes into the equation, not to mention a tongue tingling dressing, and you’ve got something very special indeed.
So, whether it’s a light lunch, a side salad, a classic starter or if you’re looking for a delicious dinner tonight, this goat’s cheese salad is perfect.
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How is goat’s cheese made?
Goat’s cheese has been made for thousands of years. It dates all the way back to the Ancient Greeks, well over 5,000 years ago.
It’s made by allowing raw milk to curdle naturally. Then, the curds are drained and pressed. Sometimes an acid is added, such as lemon juice. Salt is also added, both for extra flavour and to act as a preservative.
The cheese is then placed in a mould, usually circular or log shaped. It’s left to ripen, often only for a few days, although sometimes for many months.
What are the different types of goat’s cheese?
Lots of people think there’s only one kind, but there are actually three distinct types of goat’s cheese:
Fresh goats cheese
The French call it chèvre, meaning ‘goat.’ Fresh goats cheese is any type of goat’s cheese that is soft and spreadable. It’s usually sold in circular pucks or in logs and is the most common type of goats cheese. It’s usually only matured for a few days or weeks.
Aged goats cheese
This is goats cheese that has been matured for months. It tends to lose its ‘goaty’ flavour and becomes firmer than the soft textured fresh goat cheese.
It can be slightly nutty or sweet. A good example of aged goats cheese is Gouda.
Ash-covered goat’s cheese
A lot less common, this is a type of fresh goat cheese with an ash rind. The colouring of the rind is blue/grey and is supposed to protect the cheese, while also making it look the part. Different types of ash-covered goat’s cheese include Humboldt Fog, Selles-sur-Cher, Sainte-Maure de Touraine, and Acapella.
What goat’s cheese is best for this salad?
The very best goat’s cheeses are French, but there are lots of quality options in the UK too. Here are a few scrumptious suggestions:
Crottin de Chavignol
Produced from the raw milk of the alpine goats, Crottin de Chavignol originates from the tiny village of Chavignol in the Loire Valley – a cheese lover’s paradise. It’s a protected cheese made under the French AOC, which is a quality regulation.
This means it has to be made in a certain place under certain conditions. Crottin de Chavignol has a creamy, nutty taste, perfect for bringing big flavour to hearty salads.
Crottin de Champcol
Another cheese from the Loire Valley, this cheese is soft and sweet with a complex taste that lingers long in the memory. It’s a pasteurised version of Crottin de Chavignol, with all the amazing taste of that quality cheese.
Crottin des Deux-Sèvres
With its salted charcoal rind, this French cheese certainly looks the business. Still, the best is on the inside – just one taste of this incredible cheese and you’ll be well and truly sold. Again, citrus notes are the order of the day, mixed with a mild creamy flavour that just melts in the mouth.
Dorstone
A delicious ash covered goat’s cheese from Herefordshire, this incredible cheese is made from raw goat’s milk that’s then rolled in charcoal powder and left to mature for around 3 weeks.
Savoury and nutty, with notes of citrus, this is fantastic cheese to serve up in a salad.
Ticklemore
An incredible Devon cheese with lots of character, Ticklemore is a semi hard cheese with floral flavours mixed with lemony undertones. Left to mature for 10 weeks, it has less of a strong goat’s cheese flavour – perfect for those who want a milder cheesy taste in their salad.
How do you store goat’s cheese?
Store your goat’s cheese in the fridge. Make sure it’s stored in an airtight container – it’ll stay fresh for 2 to 3 weeks.
Can you freeze goat’s cheese?
Well, I’m so glad you asked. It just happens that I have a whole article dedicated to the question. For advice on how best to freeze your goat’s cheese, check out my Can you freeze goat cheese article.
What is panko?
Panko is a type of breadcrumb that’s popular in Japanese cooking. It’s also used throughout Asian cuisines and, recently, has become more and more used in cooking cultures around the world.
The great thing about panko crumbs is that they can stay crispy when moist. While other types of breadcrumbs lose that all-important crunch when taking on moisture, panko crumbs can maintain that crunch.
Also, unlike other types of breadcrumbs, panko crumbs don’t soak up as much oil. They have a very light, flaky texture, which helps it to maintain crispiness as they cook.
Panko is made from yeast-risen white bread. White panko is made without the crusts and tan panko is made with the crusts. When processed, panko is made into flakes rather than crumbs.
The bread for making traditional panko is baked by electrical current, as opposed to heat from an oven. This is done to create a soft, airy bread with no crust.
How do I make this recipe healthier?
For a healthier twist, you can replace the breaded fried goat’s cheese with rindless goat’s cheese. Don’t fry it – just chop it up and toss it into your salad.
Is this salad keto friendly?
Yes, this salad is perfect for those on a keto diet.
Can I replace the walnuts?
Yes. You can use whatever kind of nuts you want. Try pine nuts, almonds, pistachios or cashews. I do prefer to use walnuts though, as they really complement the taste of the goat’s cheese.
You could, of course, use more than one type of nut for a nutty combo.
Do I have to use sun dried tomatoes?
In my opinion, sun dried tomatoes are an absolute winner in this recipe. However, if you’re not a massive fan, you can always replace them with cherry tomatoes.
What other flavours can I add?
When it comes to adding a final flourish to your goat’s cheese salad, you can’t get much better than a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
Feel free to add a sprinkle of black pepper to bring some earthiness to your goat’s cheese salad.
If you want to add proteins, why not add some beans, chickpeas or quinoa?
Can this goat’s cheese salad be made in advance?
Yes you can make this salad in advance, an especially good idea if you’re making it as a starter for a dinner party.
Don’t make it too far in advance though. Otherwise the salad leaves won’t be as fresh and the overall taste won’t have as much as an impact.
More scrumptious salads
Once you’ve made this delicious goat’s cheese salad, why not try one of the following:
- 4 bean salad – if you’re a fan of beans, you have to give this one a try! The perfect healthy vegan lunch with plenty of protein and heaps of flavour, this is a salad for those who prefer their salads on the filling side
- Pear and rocket salad – fresh, vibrant and extremely tasty, this healthy quick and easy salad is simply delicious
- Rainbow quinoa salad – this incredible looking salad isn’t just style over substance. Not only does it look fantastic, it has the taste to back it up. This is one salad you won’t be forgetting in a hurry
- Salad Olivieh – a hearty, creamy salad with stacks of flavour, this potato salad is for those who like their salads big and bold
- Cucumber salad – salads don’t get much lighter or more refreshing as this delicious cucumber salad
- Edamame salad – a Japanese bean salad that’s delightfully tasty and extremely easy to make
What is your favourite goat’s cheese recipe?
Print📖 Recipe
Goat's Cheese Salad
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple recipe to make a light, tasty meal. Learn how to make this Goat's Cheese Salad in just a few steps.
Ingredients
Salad Dressing
- 125ml (½ cup) olive oil
- 45 ml (3 tbsp) balsamic vinegar
- 3g (½ tsp) dijon mustard
- 1 shallot, chopped finely
- 1 clove or garlic, crushed
- 3g (1 tbsp) fresh chives, chopped
Fried Goat’s Cheese
- 2 rolls of goat’s cheese, with rind
- 60ml (¼ cup) vegetable oil
- 150g (1 cup) plain flour
- 180g (1 ½ cup) panko crumbs
- 1 large egg
Salad
- 200g (6 ⅔ cup) spinach, washed
- 12g (2 tbsp) walnuts, crushed
- 8 sundried tomato halves, roughly chopped
Instructions
- For the Salad Dressing: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar and the dijon mustard until thicken and fully combined. Stir through the shallot, garlic and chives. Set aside.
- For the Fried Goat’s Cheese: Cut the goat’s cheese into 3cm (1½ inch) rounds.
- Heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium heat.
- Place the flour on one plate, the panko crumbs on another and in a bowl whisk the egg.
- Coat the goat's cheese rounds in the flour then dip in the egg and finally coat with the panko crumbs.
- Place the coated goat’s cheese rounds into the frying pan and cook on both sides until golden brown. This should take about 1 or 2 minutes on each side.
- Plate the spinach and toss through the dressing, sprinkle the walnuts and sundried tomatoes over and then top with your fried goat's cheese rounds. I drizzled some balsamic glaze over the top but this is just for aesthetics.
- Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute the walnuts for other nuts if you like. I find pine nuts work well too.
- If you are looking for a slightly healthier option, swap out the fried goats cheese and get the rindless goats cheese and sprinkle that over. I.e. leave it uncooked.
- You can use normal breadcrumbs instead of the panko crumbs. I just prefer panko.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Pan fry
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 826
- Sugar: 6.9 g
- Sodium: 528.1 mg
- Fat: 54.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 20.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 68.5 g
- Fiber: 5.2 g
- Protein: 18.7 g
- Cholesterol: 58 mg
Sue Clarke
Caramelised red onion and goats cheese tart ❤️
Rebecca Beesley
I love goats cheese and caramelised onion on pizza as a topping.
LouiseM
Goats cheese and shallot tart
AJ
I absolutely love goats cheese pizzas! Yummy!
fiona d
Like chicken breast stuffed with goats cheese and dried bell peppers.
Kate Sutton
Goats cheese tart with picalkili
Andrea Johnson
Goats cheese on pizza!
Stephanie
Goats cheese
Fiona Johnstone
I love a goats cheese and pepper tart.
Ellen Stafford
Goat cheese and onion quiche!
Erica Hughes
Goats cheese pasta salad with sundried tomatoes
Jules
I love goats cheese on sourdough toast with rocket and pomegranate.
Patricia Barrett
Bulgur wheat salad with beetroot, honey and goats' cheese.
Lucy Carter
I love baked goats cheese, served with figs and crusty bread
sharon martin
a goat cheese pasta salad
Lorraine Williams
Goats cheese and pear salad
Alex McKay
I love goats cheese salad. Perfect as its warming up.
Claire Hamilton
Tomato Goat Cheese Pasta
Mandy Betts
Goats cheese, leek and red onion tart
Mary Baldwin
I love to make a frittata with sliced cold new potatoes, onion, cherry tomatoes, spinach and slices of goats cheese. Is lovely either hot or cold.
Penny
Goat’s cheese on a pizza is delicious!
Leslie Evans
Tomato Goats Cheese Pasta
Zoey H
Love goats cheese salad with walnuts
Emilia Nastaly-Howard
Goats cheese salad
Adrian Bold
Goat’s cheese & caramelised onion frittata with a lemony green salad
Dawn Gray
Goat’s Cheese with salad
Sharon Chapman
I love goats cheese on home made pizza, with red onions and chargrilled red peppers.
Deborah Preston
Mushroom & goats cheese quiche
Amanda Kahs
Goats cheese salad
Jayne K
Spinach, pine nut and goats cheese pasta
Emily walker
I love Spinach & goat’s cheese puff
Jean Anderson
Goats cheese salad is delicious served with biscuits and goats cheese. Absolutely delicious!!!
Patricia Avery
Love a goat's cheese quiche
sallyanne rose
Goat’s cheese & caramelised onion frittata
JAMES HOLYLAND
Goat cheese quiche
Carole Nott
I like using it with a simple pasta bake and salad
Emma Davison
Goat cheese tart
CAROLINE WATSON
goats cheese salad with lots of walnuts and greens!
Anthea Holloway
I make a tasty Welsh Rarebit with goats' cheese.
Karen B
Goats cheese and onion quiche served with a beetroot salad.
Lauren Old
Goats cheese tart
Ali Thorpe
I don't eat goat's cheese anymore but used to like a simple salad with crumbled goat's cheese and rice wine vinegar dressing.
Lucinda P
I love goats cheese as a topping on pizza
A MACDONALD
The GOAT’S CHEESE SALAD looks delicious, especially with the sun-dried tomatoes
Laura Ms. Green
goat’s cheese salad f its from the list above 🙂
Laura Green
goats cheese on pizza! Yum yum yum! Tastes amazing
Ian Campbell
Baked ratatouille & goat’s cheese - an absolute must in our house! 🙂
Carolynn Woodland
Goats cheese and onion quiche
soozybee
Pizza with spinach and goats cheese
Jennifer Rhymer
Goat's cheese salad
Hazel Rea
Goats cheese on toast with home made organic chutney.
Rai
Fried goats cheese with a sour cherry sauce.
Vicky H
Creamy goat cheese pasta
Laura Norcop
I'm loving the salad but my favourite goats cheese recipe is a lovely quiche with caramelised onion
Rebecca Whatmore
In a salad is the best!
Jane Willis
Grilled goats cheese and sundried tomato paste on toasted walnut bread
Sheri Darby
Goats cheese and spinach tarts
Troy Easton
Goat ,.s cheese, potato and onion tart.
Angie Jackson
I love goats cheese drizzled with fresh honey and toasted walnuts, heaven!
Sarah C
Goats cheese and onion tart, yum, yum! 😋
Emma Wolski
I love a Beetroot and goats cheese tart
Julia Linsley
Goats cheese stuffed Aubergines
dana
I like a goat's chees salad with olives
James Travis
Goats cheese salad for me
Tracy Newton
Grilled and in a salad
Faridah Brooker
I love it in breadcrumbs and fried with cranberry sauce
Helen Southam
goats cheese and onion tart
Louise Comb
I love stuffed peppers, stuffed with rice, veg, goats cheese, capers, garlic, dill and lemon grass. Sometimes I mix in a little mustard too, for extra flavouring. Bake for around 25 mins.
Claire Lawrenson
I love a chicken, goat's cheese & cherry tomato bake. All the combined tastes are delicious!
Valerie Seal
Goats cheese souffle for me.
Elizabeth
I love goat's cheese on pizza. A rock bar near where I used to live does one goat's cheese pizza with peppers and rocket and another with Parmesan and asparagus.
Caroline Tinsley
In all honesty it's goat's cheese salad! I love it as a starter.
Lucy
I love it in a goats cheese tart at summer with salad
Victoria Prince
Has to be a goat's cheese and red pepper tart
Dale Dow
I make a lovely goats cheese scone, it's absolutely gorgeous!
TonyG
Fig, goats cheese and honey pizza
Tammy Tudor
I don't think you can beat a classic goats cheese tart!
Patricia Mccaffery
Apple, shallot, bacon and goat’s cheese tarte tatin.
Eileen Hindley
Mediterranean roast peppers with olives and goat’s cheese
Margaret Mccaffery
My favourite dish is a Goat's cheese & red pepper tart.
Ruth Harwood
Love a goats cheese quiche made with loiving hands!
Mark Mccaffery
A Goat's cheese, potato & onion tart
MichelleD
Beetroot risotto with goats cheese
Jennifer Toal
I love a feta salad with walnuts
Rachael Sexey
I'm not a big fan of goats cheese but I think my daughter would like the goats cheese salad
Julie Camm
It's lovely in a simple pasta dish
lynn neal
Goats cheese and spinach pizza with balsamic vinegar! Delicious!
Claire Driver
Mushroom and goats cheese tartlets
Rena Plumridge
Stuff mushrooms with goats cheese chive and chillie and spring onions mmm mmm.
Kim Murray
I've never tried it , but this looks lovely x
Carol W.
A salad of any sort with lots and lots of goats cheese.
Laura F
I don't like goats cheese.. I'm very fussy.
Steven Bufton
Grilled goat cheese sandwich
Natalie Burgess
A goats cheese tart xx
Beth
Goat’s cheese, olive and tomato tart!
Sue Cook
The spinach and walnut salad, with lovely goats cheese, I will def be making that this week.
Kim Carberry
I love a goat’s cheese salad x
MICHELLE O'NEILL
goats cheese quiche is lovely
Phil A
Goat's cheese quiche
Mark R
A goat's cheese, rocket, and beetroot salad with fresh baked bread
paula meadows
crispy coated goats cheese with salad leaves and walnut
William Gould
I haven't really got a favourite, but I have had a goat's cheese quiche before which I really enjoyed!
Tammy Neal
Goats cheese salad x
Sare Davies
I love it on a pizza with caramelised onions, although it rarely makes it into any recipe as I've usually eaten it as it is beforehand!
Keith Hunt
Morrisons The Best Cave Aged Goats Cheese is the only one I have had.
Louise A
Goat's cheese, potato and onion tart
Julie Ward
No idea I've never used it, I'm not a good cook
Nicola S
We do a similar thing with goats cheese - thick slice on a piece of baguette, toasted. Put on a bed of salad leaves, cherry tomatoes and walnuts. Sprinkled with a red wine vinegar vinaigrette.
Sheena Batey
Goats cheese and broccoli tartlets
pete c
I've only tried a few and didnt like half of them, but the couple I did like were the very creamy ones
Charlotte isobelle
I love it on a homemade pizza.
Claire Eadie
Goat’s cheese & caramelised onion frittata with a lemony green salad (bbc food)
Andrea Fletcher
I have never tried goat's cheese but this looks really nice.
Joanne Darnell
Goats cheese pizza
Kevin McGovern
Peppers stuffed with goats cheese with chilli sauce
Kevin Honey
I think that Goat's cheese works really well in a quiche.
Angie McDonald
Goats cheese pasta salad with sundried tomatoes and pesto
Joo Dee
the quiche for me thanks
kathy cakebread
Goats cheese quiche
Sue McCarthy
Just goat cheese salad, with balsamic dressing & pine nuts.
Amy PJ
Goat's cheese and onion with salad.
Angela Kelly
I just love goat's cheese on its own with crackers.
Matilda Mummery
Baked ratatouille & goat’s cheese!
Ray Dodds
Grilled with blood oranges
Moth
goat's cheese and beetroot tartes
amy simpson
The Goats Cheese Salad x
Priscilla Stubbs
I love a Caramelised onion and goat's cheese galette
Roger Bufton
Goat's cheese, potato & onion tart
Margaret Clarkson
I like it fried, Greek style, served with a lovely salad.
Alice Dixon
I do love a goats cheese tart
Ben Audsley
goat’s cheese salad for me!
Tracy Nixon
Goat’s cheese & caramelised onion tart
Iain maciver
goats cheese quiche
Donna
Goats cheese with beetroot
LesleyW
I've recently started eating goats cheese. One of my favourite recipes is a salad but it's goat cheese with fennel and beetroot,.
jen morgan
A goats cheese and red onion tartlet
Lynne OConnor
Goat cheese and onion tart
Pat Stubbs
Goat’s cheese & caramelised onion frittata
claire woods
Goat's cheese, potato & onion tart
Carly Belsey
I have never made it but I always order the goats cheese tart if it's on the menu. I absolutely love it. It's not to everyone's taste as it's quite a sharp cheese but I love the taste.
Elizabeth Gaskell
My favourite Goats cheese recipe is a roulade with peppers and chilli flakes
melanie stirling
Goat cheese and onion tart with salad leaves.
Tania Atfield
Fried goats cheese and salad would be my favourite
Sue Hodges
I've never tried goats cheese before but this recipe certainly looks tempting
Samantha
love a goat's cheese salad
Susan Cowan
Goats cheese salad looks good
Jo m welsh
I love a goats cheese quiche and I love it in a salad
Amanda Botterill
I love caramalised onion and goats cheese tarts
Michael Fisher
Grilled with plums
Renil M. George
A cheese made with goat is simply the best.
Jeanne
This is such a classic salad combination - yum! I hope you received my Snackshots muffin scoresheet last week? And I already know what I'm posting for this month's event 🙂
gizmar
This works for me - Kevin at Closet Cooking makes one similar but adds warm mushrooms - fabulous. The whole lettuce, goat's cheese and tomato combo is wonderful.
Nicki
It was just a general goats Cheese and walnut salad but this looks even better. Will definitely have to give it a try.