Salade Chèvre Chaud – French Goat Cheese Salad

And you can’t walk into a Parisian bistro without seeing this classic appetizer on the menu or the wall. Soft ripened goats cheese, quickly grilled, served over bread and salad and drizzled with a honey mustard dressing. It’s perfect in Paris, and luckily so easy to make that it’s perfect at home too.

How to Make Salade Chèvre Chaud – French Goat Cheese Salad at Home

Step 1: Prepare the Walnuts

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

Spread walnuts evenly on a baking sheet. Toast walnuts for 8-10 minutes until fragrant and golden.

Allow to cool slightly, then chop roughly. Set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Goat Cheese Toasts

Switch oven to broil (high heat).

Slice the goat cheese roll into rounds about ½-inch (1 cm) thick.

For a main course, use 3-4 slices per serving.

For an appetizer, use 1-2 slices per serving.

If you feel like getting fancy: Using a cookie cutter or a knife, cut bread slices into circles or squares slightly larger than the cheese slices.

Place bread slices on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.

Top each bread slice with one goat cheese round.

Step 3: Grill the Goat Cheese Toasts

Broil the goat cheese toasts in the oven, watching closely, for approximately 5 minutes, or until cheese is lightly melted and golden brown at the edges.

Step 4: Prepare the Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, and white wine vinegar until smooth and emulsified.

Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Step 5: Assemble the Salad

In a large bowl, toss salad greens gently with the prepared dressing.

Divide dressed greens among plates.

Sprinkle toasted walnuts over the greens.

Arrange warm goat cheese toasts attractively on top.

Step 6: Serve

Serve immediately while the goat cheese toasts are warm.

Salade Chevre Chaud FAQ:

Can I use another type of cheese?
Yes, brie or camembert can substitute nicely.

Can I prepare goat cheese toasts ahead?
You can assemble ahead but broil them just before serving to retain crispness.

What greens work best?
Mixed greens, spinach, arugula, and butter lettuce all pair nicely.

Can I make this salad vegan?
Use vegan cheese alternatives and maple syrup instead of honey.

How to store leftover salad?
Store salad ingredients separately to avoid sogginess, and assemble freshly each time.

Salade Chèvre Chaud – French Goat Cheese Salad

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 3 reviews

• Author: Brian Lambæk Hansen
• Total Time: 30 mins
• Yield: Serves 4

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

You can’t walk into a Parisian bistro without seeing this classic appetizer on the menu or the chalkboard on the wall. Soft ripened goats cheese, quickly grilled, served over bread and salad and drizzled with a honey mustard dressing. The best thing? It’s very easy to make at home.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Salad:

1 roll (about 7 oz / 200 grams) soft-ripened goat cheese, chilled

4–5 slices sandwich bread (white or whole grain)

6 cups (180 grams) mixed salad greens (e.g., mesclun, baby spinach, arugula)

1 1/3 cups (150 grams) walnuts, roughly chopped and toasted

For the Honey Dijon Dressing:

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Walnuts

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

• Spread walnuts evenly on a baking sheet. Toast walnuts for 8-10 minutes until fragrant and golden.

• Allow to cool slightly, then chop roughly. Set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Goat Cheese Toasts

• Switch oven to broil (high heat).

• Slice the goat cheese roll into rounds about ½-inch (1 cm) thick.

  • For a main course, use 3-4 slices per serving.

  • For an appetizer, use 1-2 slices per serving.

• If you want to get fancy: Using a cookie cutter or a knife, cut bread slices into circles or squares slightly larger than the cheese slices.

• Place bread slices on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.

• Top each bread slice with one goat cheese round.

Step 3: Grill the Goat Cheese Toasts

• Broil the goat cheese toasts in the oven, watching closely, for approximately 5 minutes, or until cheese is lightly melted and golden brown at the edges.

Step 4: Prepare the Dressing

• In a small bowl, whisk olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, and white wine vinegar until smooth and emulsified.

• Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Step 5: Assemble the Salad

• In a large bowl, toss salad greens gently with the prepared dressing.

• Divide dressed greens among plates.

• Sprinkle toasted walnuts over the greens.

• Arrange warm goat cheese toasts attractively on top.

Step 6: Serve

• Serve immediately while the goat cheese toasts are warm.

Notes

For best slicing, chill goat cheese thoroughly.

The dressing can be prepared ahead and stored refrigerated for up to 1 week.

Walnuts can be substituted with pecans or almonds.

Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.a

• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Oven Grilled
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 350g
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 500mg
• Fat: 40g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Unsaturated Fat: 28g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 31g
• Fiber: 5g
• Protein: 20g
• Cholesterol: 35mg

If you liked this, you are going to love these goat cheese recipes:

Baked Goat Cheese Stuffed Jalapeños

Spring Goat Cheese and Asparagus Pizza

Asparagus, Goat Cheese and Prosciutto di Parma Crostini

Fresh French Goat Cheese Dip