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Roasted Beetroot Salad with Feta and Walnuts

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Roasted beetroot salad with feta cheese and walnuts creates a perfect blend for a healthy and nutritious dish that will impress with its vibrant color and rich flavor.

Beets have a unique taste that not everyone enjoys. I used to be in that group, but not anymore. I’ve discovered my love for beets, and now I make several dishes that my entire family enjoys, including my kids. We often add beetroot powder to smoothies or yogurt, and my kids love beet chips, which have become our favorite snacks while watching movies.

This roasted beetroot salad with feta and walnuts is a fantastic way to incorporate beets into your meals. It’s nutritious and simple to prepare, and I’m sure it will become a favorite to serve to your friends and family.

Variations to this Roast Beetroot Walnut salad recipe

Why you will love this walnut beetroot feta salad?

  • Tasty, nutritious and healthy salad
  • A colorful blend of roasted beets along with oranges and feta makes an impressive palette of colors that impress.  
  • easy way to implement beets in your diet.
  • versatile dressing options

Ingredients

This beetroot and feta salad is easy to make and can serve as a main curse or side salad.

Fresh beetroot

Beets contain geosmin, the compound responsible for their earthy taste. Geosmin is also found in vegetables like carrots or mushrooms, but beets contain the most. It’s good to know that vinegar breaks down geosmin, reducing its earthy taste. This is why I decided to include some vinegar in the recipe.

If you have to have leftover beets, try this beetroot couscous salad that is delicious and made in less than 20 minutes.

Ingredients to make roasted beetroot salad

Feta cheese

you can use Danish feta or a Greek variation. We are looking for their soft and spreadable versions. 

Crunchy walnuts

The roasted walnuts add a delicious crunch and are nutritious.

Arugula salad

Arugula salad leaves are packed with vitamins and minerals. Their distinctive peppery taste adds a sharp, spicy note to salads.

Orange, peeled, and cut them into wedges.

To enhance the natural sweetness of beets, try pairing them with fruits. Apples or citrus fruits work well, adding a refreshing contrast that balances the sweet and tart notes in the salad. In addition,  they also add color and flavor to the dish.

Olive oil

Last but not least, a famous person once remarked that beets soak up flavors like a sponge. This inspired me to marinate them in olive oil and apple cider vinegar before roasting. A similar approach works for coral mushrooms.

Honey

to balance the salty taste of feta with sour vinegar, I like to add honey for the sweet tone.

white balsamic vinegar

I prefer white balsamic vinegar, which has a milder, sweeter flavor compared to traditional balsamic vinegar. 

Thyme

I like to use herbs to enhance the flavors, and these just worked the best.

Salt and pepper to taste

Beetroot Salad with feta and walnuts recipe

Health Benefits of roasted beet salad with feta

This colorful beet salad makes a delicious starter or main course, however there are other reasons to enjoy this salad.

Hangover cure

This beet salad can be an effective remedy for hangovers. Beets contain a pigment called betacyanin, which helps accelerate detoxification in the liver, converting alcohol into a less harmful substance.

Aphrodisiac

Beetroot was used as an aphrodisiac during Roman times. It contains high amounts of boron, which helps produce sex hormones.

Roasted Beetroot Salad with Feta and Walnuts

Evokes pleasant feelings

Beetroot, like chocolate, can boost your mood. Beets contain a compound called betaine, which is used to treat depression and promote relaxation.

Beetroot Salad with feta and walnuts recipe

This salad can be assembled in just a few minutes; the roasting of the beets takes a bit longer. The good news is that you can roast and chill the beets ahead of time.

First step: Roast the beets

Preheat the oven to 200°C (390°F). Slice raw beets into ½ cm (0.2 inch) slices. Drizzle the slices with two tablespoons of olive oil and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle with salt and thyme and roast in the oven for about 40 minutes.

roasting beets

Second step: Toast the walnuts

While the beets are roasting, toast the walnuts in a skillet over medium heat until they turn golden brown and release their aroma.

Third step: Whisk the salad dressing

In the small bowl, combine the honey balsamic dressing ingredients: white balsamic vinegar and honey with olive oil.  Apply to the arugula leaves right before serving.

step by step process

Fourth Step: Combine the Ingredients

To assemble the salad, start by evenly placing arugula leaves on two platters or salad bowls. Add Roasted Beets and Orange Segments: Once they are cool enough to handle, arrange the roasted beets and oranges on top of the arugula. Crumble feta cheese and sprinkle the toasted walnuts on top. Add the dressing over the salad just before serving, and toss gently to combine.

how to make beetroot salad with feta and walnuts

Variations to this Roast Beetroot Walnut salad recipe

  • Add Protein: To make the salad heartier, add grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas.
  • Use Different Greens: Instead of arugula, try spinach, kale, or mixed salad greens.
  • Swap Cheese: If you prefer a different cheese, you can use goat cheese, blue cheese, or ricotta instead of the feta.
  • Fruit Options: Instead of oranges, experiment with apples, pears, or pomegranate seeds for a different burst of sweetness.
  • Add Grains: Include cooked quinoa, lentil, farro, or couscous to add texture and nutritional value.
  • Dressing Variations: Try a balsamic dressing with red wine vinegar or rice vinegar. Mustard dressing is also good option

Can I make this beetroot salad with canned beets instead of raw?

 Sure, just the roasting time will be shorter.

Why you will love this walnut beetroot feta salad?

Roasted Beetroot Salad with Feta and walnuts

Vladka Merva
Roasted beetroot salad with feta cheese and walnuts creates a perfect blend for a healthy and nutritious dish that will impress with its vibrant color and rich flavor.
4.86 from 7 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Course Salad
Servings 2 portions
Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pieces fresh beets
  • 150 Feta cheese
  • 1/2 cup walnuts
  • 4 handful arugula salad
  • 1 orange peeled, and cut them into wedges.
  • 2 tsp thyme fresh or dried
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • pinch salt

FOR THE DRESSING

  • 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 200°C (390°F). Slice raw beets into ½ cm (0.2 inch) slices. Drizzle the slices with two tablespoons of olive oil and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle with salt and thyme and roast in the oven for about 40 minutes.
  • While the beets are roasting, toast the walnuts in a skillet over medium heat until they turn golden brown and release their aroma.
  • In the small bowl, combine the honey balsamic dressing ingredients: white balsamic vinegar and honey with olive oil.
  • To assemble the salad, start by evenly placing arugula leaves on two platters or salad bowls. Add Roasted Beets and Orange Segments: Once they are cool enough to handle, arrange the roasted beets and oranges on top of the arugula. Crumble feta cheese and sprinkle the toasted walnuts on top. Add the dressing over the salad just before serving, and toss gently to combine.

Video

Notes

If you prefer to marinate the cooked beets before roasting use the same ingredients as for a dressing

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 20gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 784mgFiber: 6gSugar: 11g
Keyword beet salad, beetroot with feta, healthy salad
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Vladka on December 30th, 2019

2 Comments on “Roasted Beetroot Salad with Feta and Walnuts”

  1. Love your website!
    This salad looks lovely, will try it this week. Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
4.86 from 7 votes (7 ratings without comment)

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