You’ll love this delicious, healthy and versatile recipe for grain salad with roasted vegetables, goats cheese and lots of fresh herbs. Adjustable and adaptable, it can be enjoyed at any time of year with whichever vegetables are fresh. It is perfect for picnics and packed lunches.
Easily adaptable to be gluten free. Leave out the goats cheese for a vegan version and to make it Whole 30 and Paleo Friendly.
Mixed grain salad with roasted vegetables and goats cheese
If you are bored of the same of sandwiches and jacket potatoes for work packed lunches then you will love this mixed grain salad with roasted vegetables, creamy goats cheese and lots of chopped fresh parsley.
It is also perfect for picnics, I keep a tub of roasted vegetables in the fridge most of the time and I used a “cheats” packet of ready cooked mixed grains for the base of this salad. You can of course cook your own grains and mix it up however you like.
I made these as part of a series of food on the go for picnics and packed lunches I’m putting together with my lovely chum Emily, A Mummy Too.
Roasted Vegetables
I love roasted vegetables, all you need is a quick peel and chop and they are ready to be cooked. I make a batch most weeks; usually on the evening before my supermarket delivery is due, to empty the salad drawer.
Most vegetables will work well roasted including pumpkin and squash, root vegetables such as parsnips, carrots and beetroot; aliums – onions, shallots, leeks and garlic; bell peppers, try aubergines and tomatoes which cook down and release lots of juice which helps to make sticky sauce.
If you cut them all small enough you can just throw them all together, drizzle with some olive oil, dried herbs, salt and pepper and cook. If you add soft and juicy vegetables such as tomatoes they cook down and make a rich sauce for the rest of the veggies.
Serve your roasted vegetables in a grain salad like this one, added to a green salad to make it more substantial, hot as a side dish, blitzed into a sauce, on top of a pizza or whizzed up with some stock or bone broth into a tasty soup.
The beauty of my weekly dish of roasted vegetables is that it is different each week as I use whatever is leftover languishing at the bottom of the fridge.
Why make this grain salad with roasted vegetables with goats cheese?
Because it’s something different; it’s hearty and filling but not heavy, it’s delicious, and it’s perfect at any time of year, by changing the roast vegetables to whatever is in season at the time.
Also, the vegetables can be cooked ahead, so you can assemble the salad in no time at all, making it perfect for when you need to be able to produce a meal in a hurry.
It’s also healthy, loaded with vitamins A and C, the with a good helping of fibre, and low in cholesterol.
How do I make this grains salad with roasted vegetables with goats cheese?
First, chop and prepare the vegetables – I used a mix of butternut squash, bell peppers of all colours, red onion, a few cloves of garlic and some cherry tomatoes all cut up to 2-3cm chunks.
Spread them out as much as possible in your roasting tin; they will shrink, but better if possible to have everything on one layer so they roast, rather than steam and you get that lovely caramelization that makes them so sweet.
Second, roast at 180C/350F/Gas Mark 4 for about 30 minutes until the butternut squash is cooked. Allow to cool. Roasting the vegetables is the stage of this recipe that takes the most time, but can be done ahead and the vegetables kept in the fridge overnight.
Third, assemble the rest of the ingredients. The cheat is to use a packet of pre-cooked mixed grains, but you can of course cook your own. We frequently cook a batch of grains and then freeze them flat, on silicone mat, for later use. Here, I’ve used a mix of bulgar wheat, quinoa and chickpeas. For people eating paleo diets, there are plenty of ancient grains available.
Fuss Free Tip – if you are making this as a packed lunch then add a handful of frozen chickpeas, they will keep the salad cool and be defrosted by lunchtime.
Fourth, assemble your salad. Mix the roasted vegetables with the mixed grains and chopped mint, and stir together. The oil used to roast the vegetables will dress the salad. Top with crumbled goat’s cheese. This would also be lovely with some pomegranate seeds and dollop of my tahini dressing.
Grains and roasted veggies with goats cheese salad
Ingredients
For the roasted vegetables
- ½ butternut squash
- 1 red onions
- 1 red pepper
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tbs olive oil
For the salad
- 1 packet ready cooked mixed grains ((e.g., bulgar wheat, quinoa and chickpeas))
- 60 g goats cheese
- 1 small bunch mint (chopped)
Instructions
- Heat your oven to 180C/350F/GM4.
- Chop the vegetables into small, 2cm / 3/4" pieces. Spread out in a roasting pan and drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Roast for about 30 mins until the butternut squash and any other root vegetables are soft.
- Once cooked allow to cool. Mix the vegetables with the grains and stir through. Make sure that all the oil used to cook the vegetables gets transferred onto the grains to dress the salad.
- Cut or crumble the goats cheese and dot onto the salad.
- Finally, chop the mint and garnish the salad, and serve.
Notes
- I get the best results when roasting vegetables when I make sure that all the vegetables are well coated in oil. The best way to do this is by hand - gently turn all the vegetables until they're evenly covered.
- I've used a pre-cooked pouch of grains, but you can also use your own mixture and cook them from scratch. I like cooking batches of grains, spreading them out to cool quickly and then freezing them spread on a silicone baking mat supported on a baking tray.
- I have assembled this salad with frozen grains which keep it cool and have defrosted by lunch time.
- Make this vegan by omitting the goats cheese.
- Keeps for 3 days in the fridge.
- If you're eating a paleo diet, you can use suitable vegetables and ancient grains.
- This recipe is 11 Weight Watchers Smart Points.
You may also like my Vegetable Feijoada.
Gemma
This really sounds mouthwatering. I love all the flavours, and the suggestions of additions. This is something I am definitely going to be making soon.
Helen
So changeable and easy to make.
Sally Potter
This is a great idea to make for taking to work lunches. I gave up on sandwiches this year, and have been trying to stay healthy. This is ideal.
Helen
It is a tasty alternative to sandwiches.
Fee
I’m really enjoying making salads this summer. I don’t like to cook much at the moment. Even though this involves a little roasting, this looks delicious and perfect for the hot weather.
Helen
I too have been doing as little cooking as possible with the hot weather.
Laura Benton
This is my kind of picnic food. So tasty and so easy to make. Great tip about the frozen chickpeas.
Helen
I do enjoy a delicious picnic.
Yasmine Kirkwood
This sounds delicious and full of nutrition. I think even the children will enjoy this salad.
Helen
Ideal for a family meal.
Jessica Levinson
Love the flavors going on in this salad! It looks like a great dinner for Meatless Monday!
Helen
Perfect for meatless Mondays!
Jaclyn Anne
I love a salad with lots of different flavors, which is why this grain salad with roasted veggies is perfect for me – thanks for the great recipe.
Helen
Loads of flavours to make it really tasty.
Danielle
This looks so tasty! I love roasted veggies and goat cheese, all the colors here look wonderful as well!
Helen
The goats cheese goes so well with the roasted veggies.
Iryna Bychkiv
What a healthy and delicious salad. I often make a similar salad for lunch and my kids love it. I need to include goat cheese next time I make it, it adds so much flavor.
Helen
I love this type of salad as every batch is always different.
Kelsey
I don’t know if I love the colors of this or if I love everything that you have in it! I have to make it this Fall for sure!
Helen
Thank you Kelsey – it does look stunning – I love a rainbow of colours in my bowl!
Simon
This is the kind of salad you can make a batch up, have for supper, then box the rest for work the next day. Looks really good.
Helen
Great idea to take leftovers to work.
Amber
Such lovely colours, I do like pretty food. This is my kind of salad, really tasty and no rules.
Helen
I do like the different way it can turn out each time.
Tricia L
Yummy! I do love goats cheese, and the delicious roasted veggies will be so good together.
Helen
A delicious combination.
Belinda Morris
This is a great salad for a family meal, full of goodness, flavours and looks amazing.
Helen
Perfect for a hungry family.
Neil Barns
A tasty and colourful salad. I like your attitude towards mixing things up a bit.
Helen
A few changes is always a good idea.
Robotance
Salads are a great way to stay healthy and eat delicious at the same time. I try to make sure I serve one every time we host dinners. This is a lovely recipe. I love the beautiful pictures you had shared with your post. I will definitely make this one over the weekend. Will post the feedback!