Description
A vibrant and refreshing Beet Salad featuring roasted beets, fresh spinach, sweet mandarin oranges, and tangy feta cheese, all brought together with a honey-balsamic dressing. Perfect as a light lunch or side dish, this salad balances earthy, sweet, and savory flavors with a crisp, colorful presentation.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 medium beets, roasted and sliced
- 4 cups fresh spinach leaves
- 1/2 cup mandarin oranges, drained (or fresh orange segments)
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Roast the beets: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Wrap the beets individually in foil and roast them for 45 to 60 minutes, or until they are tender when pierced with a fork. Remove from the oven, let them cool, then peel off the skins and slice the beets into rounds or wedges.
- Prepare the base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the fresh spinach leaves with the drained mandarin oranges and thinly sliced red onion, tossing gently to distribute evenly.
- Assemble the salad: Arrange the sliced roasted beets on top of the spinach mixture. Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese over the beets to add a creamy, tangy contrast.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey or maple syrup, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. This dressing provides a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity that complements the ingredients.
- Dress and serve: Drizzle the dressing evenly over the salad ingredients and toss gently to coat all components without bruising the spinach leaves. Serve the salad immediately for the best freshness, or refrigerate it for up to 2 hours before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Notes
- Roasting beets brings out their natural sweetness and improves texture; you can also boil them if short on time, but roasting is preferred.
- If fresh mandarin oranges are not available, canned mandarin segments (well-drained) are a convenient alternative.
- Feel free to substitute honey with pure maple syrup to keep the dressing vegan.
- For added crunch, consider topping the salad with toasted walnuts or pecans.
- This salad is best enjoyed fresh; avoid storing it for more than 2 hours after dressing to keep the spinach crisp.
