Pioneer Woman Beet Walnut Goat Cheese Dip

Pioneer Woman beet walnut goat cheese dip is a creamy, bright pink appetizer with pickled beets, toasted walnuts and herbed goat cheese that comes together in 10 minutes. It's an easy party appetizer dip for game day, Thanksgiving or Christmas, and it's no-cook, make-ahead friendly and ready to scoop.

Scrape down the sides of the food processor as you blend, because the thick goat cheese clings to the bowl. Skip it and you get a streaky dip with lumps of plain cheese instead of one smooth pink swirl.

The splash of pickling liquid is what sets this apart from other beet dips, since it adds tang and loosens the goat cheese without any oil or cream. Roasting fresh beets would take an hour, but pickled ones give you that sweet, earthy flavor in a single pulse.

Pioneer Woman Beet Walnut Goat Cheese Dip

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Course: AppetizerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking timeminutes

Calories

262

kcal

Pulsing the beets and walnuts first keeps a little crunch in every scoop. Blending in the goat cheese and pickling liquid then turns it silky, thick and great for scooping.

Ingredients

• 8 small pickled beets (3 ounces), plus 2 tablespoons pickling liquid
  

• 1/2 c. toasted walnuts, plus more chopped, for serving
  

• 8 oz. garlic-and-herb goat cheese, at room temperature
  

• Cut-up vegetables, for serving
  

Directions

• Pulse beets and walnuts: Add 8 small pickled beets and 1/2 cup toasted walnuts to a food processor. Pulse until they are very finely chopped.
• Blend in the cheese: Add 8 ounces garlic-and-herb goat cheese and 2 tablespoons of the beet pickling liquid. Process for 1 to 2 minutes until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
• Top and serve: Spoon the dip into a small bowl and top it with more chopped toasted walnuts. Then set it out with cut-up vegetables for dipping.

Tools for this recipe

• Cuisinart 14-cup food processor, OXO silicone spatula set. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

FAQs

Can I use roasted beets instead of pickled beets?

Yes, but the dip will taste milder and less tangy. Add a teaspoon or two of red wine vinegar or lemon juice to make up for the missing pickling liquid.

How long does beet walnut goat cheese dip keep in the fridge?

Store it in an airtight container in the fridge, where it should keep well for 3 to 4 days. Give it a quick stir before serving, since it firms up when it's cold.

Can I make this dip ahead of time?

Yes, it's a great make-ahead appetizer. Mix it a day before, then let it sit out for about 15 minutes so it softens, and add the walnut topping right before serving.

What can I use if I don't have a food processor?

A blender works if you stop and scrape the sides often, though a small one may struggle with the thick cheese. You can also finely chop the beets and walnuts by hand and mash everything together with a fork, which gives you a chunkier dip.

What's the most common mistake with this dip?

Using cold goat cheese is the biggest one, because it won't blend smoothly and leaves white lumps. Let it sit at room temperature first, so it mixes into one even pink dip.