Roasted Beet Salad Arugula Feta (Printable Version)
A colorful mix of roasted beets, arugula, feta, walnuts, and a tangy dressing.
# What You Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 4 medium beets, trimmed and scrubbed
02 - 5 oz fresh arugula
03 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
→ Cheese & Nuts
04 - 3 oz crumbled feta cheese
05 - 1/4 cup toasted walnuts, roughly chopped
→ Dressing
06 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
08 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
09 - 1 tsp honey
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# How to Make It:
01 - Set oven temperature to 400°F.
02 - Individually wrap each beet in aluminum foil, place on a baking sheet, and roast for 40 to 50 minutes until tender when pierced with a knife.
03 - Remove beets from foil, allow to cool until touchable, peel, and cut into wedges or bite-sized cubes.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
05 - Combine arugula, roasted beets, and sliced red onion in a large bowl. Drizzle with dressing and toss gently to evenly coat.
06 - Transfer salad to a serving platter, then sprinkle with crumbled feta and toasted walnuts.
07 - Serve immediately to ensure freshness and optimal texture.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Roasted beets taste nothing like canned ones, and once you try them this way, you'll understand the difference.
- It comes together faster than you'd think, especially if you roast the beets while you prep everything else.
- The salad feels elegant enough for guests but easy enough for a Tuesday night dinner.
02 -
- Don't skip wrapping the beets individually in foil—it keeps them moist and keeps your oven cleaner.
- Add the dressing while the beets are still warm so the flavors actually meld instead of sitting separately on cold lettuce.
03 -
- Make extra dressing because the warm beets and arugula will soak it up, and you'll want enough to coat everything evenly.
- If you're serving this to guests who might have nut allergies, skip the walnuts entirely rather than mentioning them as optional—people remember warnings better than they remember to ask.