Description
Sweet roasted beets are paired with creamy feta, fresh greens, citrus segments, and toasted walnuts, all finished with a bright homemade citrus vinaigrette. This Mediterranean-inspired roasted beet salad is perfect as a light lunch or side dish, combining earthy flavors with zesty, refreshing citrus notes and crunchy walnuts.
Ingredients
Beet Salad
- 4 medium beets, peeled and quartered
- 5 cups mixed greens or arugula
- 2 oranges, peeled and segmented
- 120 g feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/3 cup walnuts, toasted
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Citrus Vinaigrette
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh orange juice
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp orange zest
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (about 400°F) to prepare for roasting the beets.
- Prepare Beets: Place the peeled and quartered beets on a baking sheet. Toss them with olive oil, salt, and black pepper to evenly coat the beet pieces for roasting.
- Roast Beets: Roast the beets in the preheated oven for 35 to 45 minutes until they are fork-tender and tender throughout. This deepens their natural sweetness and develops flavor.
- Cool Beets: Remove the beets from the oven and allow them to cool slightly to handle and to prevent wilting the greens when plated.
- Make Vinaigrette: In a bowl, whisk together all citrus vinaigrette ingredients — extra virgin olive oil, fresh orange juice, fresh lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, orange zest, salt, and black pepper — until fully emulsified and smooth.
- Assemble Salad: Arrange the mixed greens or arugula on a serving platter, then scatter the roasted beets and orange segments evenly over the top.
- Add Cheese and Nuts: Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese and toasted walnuts over the salad for creaminess and crunch.
- Dress Salad: Drizzle the homemade citrus vinaigrette evenly over the assembled salad right before serving to keep greens fresh.
- Serve: Serve the salad immediately as a fresh, vibrant, and nutritious Mediterranean-inspired dish.
Notes
- Roast the beets ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to use for convenience.
- Golden beets can be substituted for red beets for a different color and slightly milder flavor.
- Goat cheese offers a delicious alternative to feta if preferred.
- Add grilled chicken to the salad for a more substantial and protein-rich meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Salad, Lunch, Side Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-inspired
