Vibrant Beet Salad With Feta And Walnuts Recipe

Rustic Beet Salad with Feta and Walnuts Recipe to Charm All

Bursting with vibrant colors and robust flavors, this easy beet salad with feta and walnuts delivers a delightful culinary experience.

Earthy beets mingle beautifully with tangy feta cheese, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

Crunchy walnuts add a nutty dimension that elevates every single bite.

Each ingredient plays a starring role in this simple yet sophisticated dish.

The salad comes together effortlessly, requiring minimal preparation and cooking time.

Bright red beets contrast gorgeously with crumbly white feta, making this salad as visually appealing as it is delicious.

Dive into this Mediterranean-inspired masterpiece and savor the magic of fresh, quality ingredients.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 339 kcal

Servings: 5

What Goes Into Beet Salad with Feta and Walnuts

For Fresh Produce:
  • Beets: Earthy root vegetable that brings vibrant color and sweet, rich flavor to the salad.
  • Mixed Greens: Provides a crisp, tender base with a variety of textures and nutrients.
For Crunchy Toppings:
  • Walnuts: Delivers a satisfying crunch and nutty richness with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
For Creamy and Tangy Elements:
  • Feta Cheese: Adds a salty, tangy punch that perfectly complements the sweet beets and provides a creamy texture.

Kitchen Tools for Beet Salad with Feta and Walnuts

  • Large Mixing Bowl: Spacious container for tossing and combining salad ingredients.
  • Sharp Knife: Essential for chopping and preparing vegetables and toppings.
  • Cutting Board: Stable surface for safe and clean ingredient preparation.
  • Large Serving Plate: Elegant dish for presenting the finished salad.
  • Measuring Spoons: Helpful for accurate dressing measurements.

Directions for Assembling the Beet Salad with Feta & Walnuts

  • Ingredient Gathering

Fresh beets create the foundation of this vibrant salad. Select crisp, firm beets from the produce section, choosing varieties that look bright and healthy.

  • Beet Preparation

Thoroughly wash the beets and trim off leafy tops. Roast or boil the beets until tender, allowing them to cool completely before handling. Peel the skin and slice into appealing bite-sized pieces.

  • Salad Composition

Arrange the gorgeous beet slices on a beautiful serving plate. Sprinkle generously with crumbled feta cheese, creating delightful white patches against the deep red beet background.

  • Nutty Finish

Scatter crunchy walnuts across the salad, adding a delicious textural contrast. The nuts will provide a wonderful earthy crunch that complements the soft beets and creamy feta.

  • Final Touch

Let the salad sit for a few minutes before serving to allow flavors to mingle. This simple yet elegant dish brings together sweet, tangy, and nutty elements in one stunning plate.

Adjusting and Enhancing Your Beet Salad with Feta & Walnuts

  • Enhance the natural sweetness by roasting whole beets wrapped in foil at 400°F for 45-60 minutes before cooling and peeling.
  • Replace feta with goat cheese, blue cheese, or fresh mozzarella for different taste profiles and texture variations.
  • Slice raw beets thinly and quick pickle them in apple cider vinegar, salt, and sugar for a tangy crunch if you prefer not to cook them.
  • Add extra protein by incorporating quinoa, grilled chicken, or chickpeas to transform this side dish into a complete meal.
  • Experiment with different nuts like toasted pecans, sliced almonds, or pistachios to create unique flavor combinations and added crunch.

Presentation Tips for Beet Salad with Feta and Walnuts

  • Elevate with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped fresh dill or parsley over the salad to add a burst of bright, green flavor and enhance the earthy beet taste.
  • Create a Stunning Presentation: Arrange the beets in a circular pattern on the plate, then artfully scatter feta and walnuts on top for a restaurant-worthy look that impresses guests.
  • Pair with Complementary Sides: Serve alongside grilled chicken or roasted fish to transform this salad into a complete, nutritious meal that balances the beets' rich, vibrant profile.
  • Enhance with Dressing Drizzle: Add a light vinaigrette made with olive oil, lemon juice, and a touch of honey to complement the salad's natural sweetness and provide a tangy contrast.

How to Store Beet Salad with Feta and Walnuts

  • Refrigerate Wisely: Store this vibrant salad in an airtight container for up to 2 days, keeping the feta and walnuts separate to maintain their crisp texture and prevent sogginess.
  • Prep Ahead Strategically: Roast beets and chop ingredients in advance, storing components separately in the refrigerator to quickly assemble the salad when hunger strikes.
  • Extend Freshness: Keep walnuts in a sealed container at room temperature to prevent them from becoming stale, ensuring maximum crunch when added to the salad.
  • Serve Chilled: For the best flavor and texture, enjoy the beet salad slightly chilled or at cool room temperature, allowing the ingredients' natural flavors to shine through.
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Vibrant Beet Salad With Feta And Walnuts Recipe

Vibrant Beet Salad With Feta And Walnuts


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4.6 from 33 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Mediterranean beet salad with creamy feta and crunchy walnuts offers a delightful blend of earthy flavors and textures. Fresh ingredients combine seamlessly, creating a simple yet elegant dish you’ll want to savor again and again.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 beets (boiled until tender and cubed)
  • 1 cup / 150 g feta (crumbled)
  • ½ cup / 60 g walnuts (halved)
  • 4 tbsps / 60 ml olive oil
  • ½ red onion (thinly sliced)
  • 2 tbsps / 30 ml chives (chopped)
  • ½ tsp coarse salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Meticulously cleanse beets under cool running water, eliminating all soil residues and pat dry thoroughly with fresh paper towels.
  2. Peeling: Carefully remove the exterior skin using a sharp vegetable peeler, ensuring smooth and even surface removal.
  3. Chopping: Skillfully dice beets into precise, uniform cubes measuring approximately 1/2 inch, maintaining consistent size for optimal texture and presentation.
  4. Mixing: Transfer diced beets into a generously sized mixing vessel, incorporating all remaining ingredients with gentle, deliberate motions to prevent bruising or crushing delicate components.
  5. Seasoning: Delicately toss the salad mixture, ensuring harmonious flavor distribution and balanced coating of each ingredient with dressing and herbs.
  6. Plating: Artfully arrange the vibrant beet composition onto a pristine serving platter, creating an aesthetically pleasing visual display.
  7. Garnishing: Liberally sprinkle crumbled feta cheese across the salad’s surface, followed by a scattering of roughly chopped walnuts to introduce textural complexity and nutty undertones.
  8. Serving: Present immediately at ambient temperature, allowing the ingredients’ natural flavors to shine and providing a refreshing, crisp culinary experience.

Notes

  • Prevent Staining: Wear disposable gloves when handling beets to avoid reddish-purple stains on hands and cutting surfaces.
  • Roasting Option: Enhance beet flavor by roasting instead of raw, which intensifies natural sweetness and softens texture.
  • Cheese Selection: Choose fresh, high-quality feta for optimal creamy and tangy complement to earthy beet flavors.
  • Freshness Matters: Consume salad within 2-3 hours of preparation to maintain crisp texture and vibrant color.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: None
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 339
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 320 mg
  • Fat: 30 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 14 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 8 g
  • Cholesterol: 22 mg
Mia Reynolds

Mia Reynolds

Food Writer & Home Cooking Specialist

Expertise

Easy Home Baking, Recipe Writing and Storytelling, Local and Seasonal Ingredients, Baking for Beginners

Education

New England Culinary Institute (NECI), Montpelier, Vermont

  • Certificate: Baking and Pastry Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Hands-on baking skills, pastry basics, and creating delicious, approachable baked goods.

Community College of Vermont, Winooski, Vermont

  • Degree: Certificate in Food and Beverage Management
  • Focus: Essential knowledge of recipe development, ingredient sourcing, and food business basics.

Mia Reynolds fell in love with baking as a teenager experimenting in her family kitchen. Her passion took her to New England Culinary Institute, where she learned practical pastry techniques, and later to Community College of Vermont to deepen her understanding of food management.

Mia combines clear, simple baking instructions with heartwarming stories, making home baking approachable for everyone.

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