Beet And Walnut Salad Recipe (2024)

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Beets are a root vegetable that I used to rarely cook with solely because I did not know how to prepare them in interesting ways. I find this to be true for many people. Very few recipes call for them, and rarely are they the main ingredient.

All this said, they are quite easy vegetables to cook with, and they can be a great contributor to a healthy diet. They are good raw, roasted, boiled, or even lacto-fermented. They are also very tasty, so simple salt and black pepperseasoningare often all that's needed.

Beet And Walnut Salad Recipe (1)

Strangely, the exact composition of the sugars in raw or cooked red beets isn't available on the USDA Food database, the main database for the composition of common foods.

This means that while we know that they are mainly composed of simple sugars and fiber instead of starch, we don't know for sure the fructose and glucose fractions. We can assume that they contain their fair amount of fructose and are, therefore, similar to many fruits on that matter.

This means that, even though they are a tasty source of non-toxic carbohydrates, they should still be eaten in conservative amounts most of the time. Other than that, they are a great source of folate and manganese, and they contain many antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds.

Beeturia

Just as an interesting tidbit, beets have been found to cause beeturia in about 14% of the population. It is noticeable by the pink or red pigmentation found in the urine after consuming them. The non-harmful condition seems more prevalent in iron-deficient or anemic people.

Here is a recipe for a very simple yet tasty salad. Apart from cooking the beets, which take about an hour to cook in the oven, the salad is ready in no time.

It's also an easy way to introduce beets into your diet if they are not already part of it, and hopefully, it will encourage you to make use of themcreativelyin future recipes.

Walnut addition

Walnuts are delicious andnutritiousness, but, As I discussed in my article about nuts and seeds, walnuts are not a great choice when it comes to the composition of the fat in them.

In this recipe, they are used sparingly enough, so they are not a problem at all. In fact, walnuts are used here, like most nuts should be used for good health, sparingly to add taste and texture, not by the handful.

Beet and walnut salad recipe

Serves: 4

Ingredients

  • 4 medium-sized red beets, stems, and ends were removed;
  • ⅓ cup walnuts, chopped;
  • 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar;
  • 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil;
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste;
Beet And Walnut Salad Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Preheat your oven to 400 F. Wrap each individual beet in aluminum foil and place on a baking sheet. Allow roasting in the oven for approximately one hour.
  2. Remove beets from oven and allow to cool. Once cool enough to touch, remove from foil. While still warm, peel the skin off the beets. Plastic gloves might be useful here in order not to stain your hands.
  3. Chop the beets into large chunks. Place in a medium bowl and toss in the remaining ingredients. Allow beets to marinade in the dressing for a few minutes prior to serving.

📖 Recipe

Beet And Walnut Salad Recipe (3)

Beet and walnut salad recipe

A simple and quick beet and walnut salad that's paired with an olive oil and balsamic vinegar vinaigrette. A tasty side dish to any main course.

5 from 1 vote

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Servings 4 people

Calories 168 kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 400 F. Wrap each individual beet in aluminum foil and place on a baking sheet. Allow roasting in the oven for approximately one hour.

  • Remove beets from oven and allow to cool. Once cool enough to touch, remove from foil. While still warm, peel the skin off the beets. Plastic gloves might be useful here in order not to stain your hands.

    4 medium-sized red beets

  • Chop the beets into large chunks. Place in a medium bowl and toss in the remaining ingredients. Allow beets to marinade in the dressing for a few minutes prior to serving.

    ⅓ cup walnuts, 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Nutrition

Calories: 168kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 3gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 66mgPotassium: 319mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 29IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 1mg

Keyword beet, salad, walnut

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Beet And Walnut Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to roast or boil beets for salad? ›

My favorite way to cook beets is to roast them, which gives a sweeter, richer, and deeper flavor than boiling does. Another advantage is that they don't bleed as much, especially if they're roasted whole.

Why not peel beets before roasting? ›

No need to peel before or after baking. The skin, which is perfectly edible, just seems to disappear during the baking process. The trick to pan-roasted beets is to drop the temperature a bit. I always roast potatoes, Brussels sprouts, carrots, and pretty much all the other veggies at 425 degrees Fahrenheit.

Can you eat beet skin? ›

Every part of the beet—from the stem to the bulb—is edible. If you're using the whole beet, be sure to wash it well before cooking to get rid of any fertilizers or dirt. You can peel the beet before cooking or eat it with the skin on. Beets have a distinctive, earthy flavor.

What brings out the flavor of beets? ›

Warming spices like ginger, cinnamon, allspice, and cardamom all pair well with the earthy flavor of beets and can help enhance their natural sweetness.

What makes beets taste better? ›

Slow-roasting beets in a foil packet or covered baking dish takes away much of the earthy taste and intensifies the flavor, but you will still have a bit of bleeding and nutrient loss. Grilling beets over wood or charcoal will add a layer of smokiness.

Why add vinegar when boiling beets? ›

Directions. Place the beets in a large saucepan and add water to cover and the lemon juice or vinegar. This will help to keep the beets from bleeding. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until tender, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

What is the healthiest way to eat beets? ›

Eating beets raw or juicing and roasting them may be more beneficial than boiling them. Beetroots, commonly known as beets, are a vibrant and versatile type of vegetable. They're known for their earthy flavor and aroma. Many people call them a superfood because of their rich nutritional profile.

Can I roast beets without aluminum foil? ›

You can use any variety of beets to make this recipe. Save time, and effort and reduce waste by skipping wrapping them in foil. Roast them on a baking pan or parchment paper. They peel easily, but to avoid staining hands I recommend using gloves.

Can you eat raw beets? ›

A: Yes, you can eat raw beets. They are often served peeled and sliced, but they are safe to eat with the skin on. (15) You can eat raw beets plain or with seasoning. Alternatively, you can add raw beets to a salad for a sweet crunch.

Can dogs eat beets? ›

Yes! Beets are safe for your dog to eat in moderation and are a healthy source of vitamin C, fiber, folate, manganese, and potassium. These vitamins and minerals are good for your dog's digestion and immune system as well as a healthy skin and coat. While it's rare, some dogs can be allergic.

How many times a week should you eat beets? ›

Moreover, beets are low in calories with zero cholesterol and a small amount of fat. However, the root is high in sugar and carbohydrates, so while you can consume the greens on top of the root in unlimited quantities, you should only have the root a few times a week. Beets are best from early spring to late fall.

Are beets anti-inflammatory? ›

Luckily, beets have a number of anti-inflammatory benefits, thanks to their high content of betalains. You can maximize getting all this goodness by consuming beets in juice form. Trust us, it's tastier than you think. Studies have shown that beet juice reduces inflammation across your whole body.

How many beets should you eat per day? ›

According to Dr. Melamed, the typical serving size recommendation is one cup of cooked beets per day. But that doesn't mean you actually have to eat them every day; it's always best, she adds, to rotate your healthy foods so you get a variety of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.

Do carrots and beets get along? ›

Beets and carrots are both compact root vegetables that grow happily next to each other. You can even try them in a container if you're short on space.

What is the best and healthiest way to eat beets? ›

Retain the good-for-you nutrients in beets by roasting them or sautéing them instead. Or lightly steam them for just a few minutes, suggests Doyle.

What is a companion veg for beets? ›

Beets – Beet greens and scraps are very good for the compost, returning captured manganese and iron to the soil via the composting process. Plant with bush beans, Brassicas, corn, garlic, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, and mint. Add cut mint leaves as a mulch for beets. Avoid planting beets near pole beans.

References

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