Description
A refreshing and healthy Beet Cucumber Salad featuring roasted beets, crisp cucumbers, fresh herbs, and a tangy homemade dressing. Perfect as a vibrant side dish or light lunch, with optional feta cheese adding a creamy, salty touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 medium beets, cooked and peeled
- 1 large cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
Dressing Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cooking the Beets: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Wash and trim the beets, leaving about an inch of stem, then wrap each beet individually in aluminum foil. Place on a baking sheet and roast for 45-60 minutes until tender and easily pierced by a fork. Let cool slightly.
- Peeling the Beets: Once cooled enough to handle, peel the beets using a paring knife or your fingers (wear gloves to avoid staining).
- Slicing the Beets: Slice the peeled beets into thin rounds or half-moons about 1/4 inch thick.
- Preparing the Cucumber: Peel the cucumber and thinly slice. If seeds are large, scoop them out before slicing.
- Slicing the Red Onion: Thinly slice the red onion and soak in ice water for 10-15 minutes to mellow the flavor. Drain well.
- Chopping the Herbs: Finely chop the fresh dill and parsley, removing any tough stems.
- Making the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, honey or maple syrup, minced garlic, and Dijon mustard.
- Seasoning and Whisking: Add salt and pepper to taste, then whisk the dressing vigorously until well emulsified.
- Combining the Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine sliced beets, cucumber, red onion, dill, and parsley.
- Adding the Dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat evenly.
- Adding Feta (Optional): Gently crumble feta cheese over the salad if desired.
- Chilling (Optional): For best flavor, chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Wear gloves while peeling beets to prevent staining your hands.
- Roasting beets enhances their natural sweetness and flavor.
- Slicing onion and soaking in ice water reduces pungency and adds crispness.
- Chilling the salad before serving allows flavors to meld beautifully.
- Feta cheese is optional and can be omitted for a dairy-free version.
