This easy Beet and Feta Salad recipe is going to impress everyone! Tender beets, feta cheese, and chopped walnuts on a bed of mixed greens and tossed in a tangy balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
BEET AND FETA SALAD
This vibrant beet and feta salad with a homemade balsamic dressing is a perfect blend of earthy sweetness and tangy richness. Roasted beets, feta cheese, and crushed walnuts on a bed of mixed greens, this salad is healthy, light and so fresh! Topped with a simple yet flavorful homemade balsamic dressing that elevates this salad. Whether served as a side dish or a light lunch, this salad is easy to make and bursting with color and nutrients.
WHAT YOU NEED-
- Greens– You can use either mixed greens, arugula, or just spinach as your greens! You can also opt out of the greens and just add more beets!
- Beets– For the best results, use cooked beets! I like to use canned or pickled beets for this salad, you can also roast your own beets. I love the pickled beets from Aldi.
- Feta Cheese– Feta cheese, or goat cheese, brings so much flavor to this hearty beet salad!
- Walnuts– Adding chopped walnuts to the salad adds a delicious crunch! You can opt out of walnuts or even substitute for another type of nut you prefer.
- Flavors– To season this salad, you want to use salt and black pepper! The dressing is packed with flavor, so you don’t need to season this salad too much.
- Dressing– The salad comes all together through the salad dressing! You can use either my homemade simple balsamic vinaigrette dressing or you can use store-bought balsamic dressing.
HOW TO MAKE BEET AND FETA SALAD
The salad and the dressing come together so effortlessly and make for the ultimate light lunch or side dish for dinner!
- Prepare the homemade balsamic dressing.
- Add the spring mix into your bowl or plate. Top with sliced beets, feta cheese, and chopped walnuts.
- Drizzle the balsamic vinaigrette over the salad and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately.
SALAD VARIATIONS
You can totally customize this beet salad to your liking! Here are some different variations to this hearty salad you can do:
- Greens– Swap out the mixed greens for spinach or arugula! The added greens give more flavors and help fill you up.
- Grains– Add some grains to this salad like quinoa, or even rice!
- Nuts– Swap out the walnuts for pistachios, pecans, almonds, or cashews!
- Dried Fruit– For added flavors, add dried cranberries, raisins, or cherries.
- Fresh Fruit– This beet and feta salad goes great when you add berries, pomegranates, apples, pears, or even clementines.
- Protein– Add you some protein to this salad! Add bacon bits, chopped prosciutto, grilled chicken thighs, blackened chicken, or shredded chicken.
- Dressing– Swap the balsamic vinaigrette for balsamic glaze, Greek salad dressing, honey mustard dressing, or Dijon Vinaigrette dressing.
QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE:
I recommend that you use cooked beets because they are softer.
I do not recommend that you make this salad ahead of time, but no worries because this salad can be made in under 5 minutes!
You can slice or chop the beets; it is based on preference! I like to use the pre-sliced pickled beets!
Yes, you can totally leave out the green mix, just add more of the rest of the ingredients.
I do not recommend that you store the leftovers to this salad, the salad tends to get soggy.
OTHER SALAD RECIPES
Try out some of my other delicious salads:
Beet and Feta Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups spring mix or arugula
- 1 cup cooked beets sliced or cubed
- 1/4 cup feta cheese crumbled
- 3 Tbsp chopped walnuts
- 1/4 tsp salt or to taste
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper or to taste
Salad Dressing-
- 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 1 ½ Tbsp Dijon mustard
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 fresh garlic cloves minced
Instructions
- Start by preparing the balsamic dressing. In a bowl or jar, mix the balsamic vinegar, oil, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and minced garlic until well combined.
- Take a large bowl or plate and add a generous portion of fresh spring mix as your base. Layer the salad with thinly sliced roasted beets, crumbled feta cheese, and chopped walnuts for a delightful mix of flavors and textures.
- Drizzle the prepared balsamic vinaigrette over the salad, ensuring an even coating on all the ingredients. Gently toss the salad to combine, making sure the dressing is well distributed.
- Finish by seasoning with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Serve the salad immediately to enjoy its fresh, vibrant flavors at their best!
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