Arugula Salad with Caramelized Onions, Goat Cheese, and Candied Walnuts

Name: Arugula Salad with Caramelized Onions, Goat Cheese, and Candied Walnuts
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 36 min
Total time: 56 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1¼ pounds red onions; 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar; ⅓ cup golden brown sugar; ¼ cup water; 2 tablespoons butter; 1 pinch salt; 1½ cups walnut halves; 4 cups country bread; 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar; 2 packages baby arugula; 2 packages soft goat cheese; broken into 1/2-inch pieces; chilled

A gourmet salad featuring peppery arugula topped with sweet caramelized onions, creamy goat cheese, and candied walnuts, finished with homemade croutons and a balsamic vinaigrette.

6 servings

44 min

Published October 4, 2025

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Ingredients

•2 tablespoons olive oil
•1¼ pounds red onions
•2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
•⅓ cup golden brown sugar
•¼ cup water
•2 tablespoons butter
•1 pinch salt
•1½ cups walnut halves
•4 cups country bread
•3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
•5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
•3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
•2 packages baby arugula
•2 packages soft goat cheese
•broken into 1/2-inch pieces
•chilled

Cooking Instructions

1.
Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions. Sauté until golden, about 18 minutes. Remove from heat. Sprinkle with vinegar; stir to blend. Season with salt and pepper.
18 min
2.
Combine first 4 ingredients in another heavy large skillet. Bring to boil, whisking. Boil 1 minute. Add walnuts; stir. Toss until syrup forms glaze on nuts, about 3 minutes. Transfer nuts to sheet of foil and quickly separate nuts with forks. Cool. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.
4 min
3.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Place bread cubes in large bowl. Drizzle with oil, tossing constantly to coat evenly. Scatter cubes in single layer on rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake croutons until crisp, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand on sheet at room temperature.
15 min
4.
Whisk oil and vinegar in small bowl. Season dressing with salt and pepper.
2 min
5.
Place arugula in very large bowl. Drop in onions, tossing to distribute evenly. Add nuts, croutons, and goat cheese. Toss with enough dressing to coat lightly.
5 min

Ingredients

•2 tablespoons olive oil

•1¼ pounds red onions

•2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

•⅓ cup golden brown sugar

•¼ cup water

•2 tablespoons butter

•1 pinch salt

•1½ cups walnut halves

•4 cups country bread

•3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

•5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

•3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

•2 packages baby arugula

•2 packages soft goat cheese

•broken into 1/2-inch pieces

•chilled

Cooking Instructions

Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions. Sauté until golden, about 18 minutes. Remove from heat. Sprinkle with vinegar; stir to blend. Season with salt and pepper.

18 min

Combine first 4 ingredients in another heavy large skillet. Bring to boil, whisking. Boil 1 minute. Add walnuts; stir. Toss until syrup forms glaze on nuts, about 3 minutes. Transfer nuts to sheet of foil and quickly separate nuts with forks. Cool. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.

4 min

Preheat oven to 350°F. Place bread cubes in large bowl. Drizzle with oil, tossing constantly to coat evenly. Scatter cubes in single layer on rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake croutons until crisp, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand on sheet at room temperature.

15 min

Whisk oil and vinegar in small bowl. Season dressing with salt and pepper.

2 min

Place arugula in very large bowl. Drop in onions, tossing to distribute evenly. Add nuts, croutons, and goat cheese. Toss with enough dressing to coat lightly.

5 min