12 Vibrant Beets Recipes for Salads

Beets have always held a special place in my heart, transporting me back to my grandmother’s kitchen in rural Poland. Every summer, she’d harvest ruby-red beets from her garden and transform them into a simple yet unforgettable salad—tossed with onions, vinegar, and a sprinkle of dill. That earthy sweetness mixed with a tangy bite was my first love affair with food, teaching me early on that humble roots could burst with flavor and color.

Lately, I’ve been experimenting in my own kitchen with beets’ vibrant cousins: golden, candy-striped Chioggia, and even black beets. Roasting them with herbs or pickling them overnight has yielded some of my best salad creations yet, perfect for brightening up winter blues or summer picnics. In a world craving nutrient-dense, Instagram-worthy dishes, beets are the unsung heroes—packed with antioxidants, fiber, and folate.

Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Salad

This classic salad combines the sweet earthiness of roasted beets with creamy goat cheese and crunchy walnuts. Ingredients (serves 4): 4 medium beets (red or golden), 4 oz goat cheese, 1/2 cup walnuts, 6 cups mixed greens, balsamic vinaigrette (1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tbsp balsamic, 1 tsp honey, salt/pepper).
Roast beets at 400°F for 45 minutes until tender, peel and slice. Toss greens with vinaigrette, top with beets, crumbled goat cheese, and toasted walnuts.
Loaded with betalains for detoxification and healthy fats from nuts, this salad boosts heart health and keeps you satisfied.

Beet and Apple Slaw with Citrus Dressing

A fresh twist on slaw, featuring crisp apples and raw beets for crunch. Ingredients (serves 4): 3 beets (grated), 2 apples (julienned), 1/4 cup red onion (sliced), 1/4 cup orange juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, salt.
Grate beets and apples, toss with onion. Whisk dressing and combine. Chill 30 minutes.
High in vitamin C and fiber, it aids digestion and provides a low-calorie crunch alternative to mayo-based slaws.

Golden Beet and Quinoa Power Salad

Nutty quinoa pairs with sunny golden beets for a protein-packed meal. Ingredients (serves 4): 4 golden beets (roasted and diced), 1 cup cooked quinoa, 1 avocado (sliced), 1/4 cup feta, lemon-tahini dressing (2 tbsp tahini, juice of 1 lemon, 1 tbsp olive oil).
Cook quinoa, roast beets 40 minutes at 400°F. Mix with avocado, feta, and dressing.
Quinoa and beets deliver complete protein and iron, ideal for vegetarians seeking sustained energy.

Beetroot and Feta Salad with Candied Walnuts

Tangy feta contrasts sweet candied walnuts over beets. Ingredients (serves 4): 5 beets (boiled and sliced), 6 oz feta, 1/2 cup walnuts, 2 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tsp butter, arugula base.
Candy walnuts in butter and syrup for 5 minutes. Layer arugula, beets, feta, and nuts; drizzle olive oil.
Rich in calcium from feta and omega-3s from walnuts, it supports bone health and reduces inflammation.

Chioggia Beet and Blood Orange Salad

Striped Chioggia beets shine with juicy blood oranges. Ingredients (serves 4): 4 Chioggia beets (thinly sliced raw), 3 blood oranges (segmented), 1/4 cup pistachios, 2 tbsp red wine vinegar, mint leaves.
Slice beets paper-thin (use mandoline), segment oranges. Toss with vinegar, nuts, and mint.
Antioxidant powerhouse from anthocyanins in beets and oranges, promoting skin health and immunity.

Pickled Beet and Cucumber Ribbon Salad

Quick-pickled beets add zing to cucumber ribbons. Ingredients (serves 4): 4 beets (thinly sliced), 2 cucumbers (ribboned), 1 cup vinegar, 1/2 cup water, 1 tbsp sugar, dill.
Pickle beets in vinegar mixture for 1 hour. Ribbon cucumbers, toss with drained beets and dill.
Probiotic benefits from pickling enhance gut health, plus hydrating cucumbers for detox.

Beet and Arugula Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

Peppery arugula balances sweet beets in a zesty bowl. Ingredients (serves 4): 4 beets (roasted wedges), 6 cups arugula, 1 grapefruit (segmented), 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp grapefruit juice, Dijon mustard.
Roast beets 45 minutes, whisk vinaigrette. Toss arugula, beets, grapefruit with dressing.
Vitamin K from arugula and C from citrus support blood clotting and collagen production.

Warm Beet and Lentil Salad

Hearty lentils with roasted beets for cozy vibes. Ingredients (serves 4): 4 beets (diced and roasted), 1 cup green lentils (cooked), 1 shallot (sliced), 2 tbsp sherry vinegar, parsley.
Roast beets 30 minutes, cook lentils 20 minutes. Sauté shallot, mix warm with vinegar and herbs.
Plant-based protein from lentils plus folate from beets for muscle repair and anemia prevention.

Beet Hummus Salad Bowl

Creamy beet hummus anchors a fresh salad bowl. Ingredients (serves 4): 2 beets (roasted for hummus), 1 can chickpeas, 2 tbsp tahini, lemon, 4 cups romaine, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers.
Blend roasted beets, chickpeas, tahini, lemon into hummus. Serve dolloped over chopped veggies.
Boosts nitric oxide for blood pressure control, with hummus adding sustained fiber.

Spiralized Beet and Carrot Noodle Salad

Fun spiralized “noodles” from beets and carrots. Ingredients (serves 4): 3 beets (spiralized), 3 carrots (spiralized), 1/4 cup sesame seeds, ginger-soy dressing (2 tbsp soy, 1 tbsp ginger, sesame oil).
Spiralize veggies, toast seeds. Toss with dressing.
Beta-carotene from carrots and beets enhances vision and immunity in a raw, enzyme-rich form.

Beet and Avocado Creaminess Salad

Velvety avocado complements beets’ chew. Ingredients (serves 4): 4 beets (roasted cubes), 2 avocados (diced), 1 lime, 1/4 cup cilantro, spinach base, olive oil.
Roast beets, mash half avocado with lime for dressing. Toss with spinach, beets, remaining avocado.
Heart-healthy monounsaturated fats from avocado pair with beets for cholesterol-lowering benefits.

Roasted Beet Panzanella with Herbs

Italian-inspired with crusty bread and beets. Ingredients (serves 4): 4 beets (roasted chunks), 4 cups sourdough cubes (toasted), 1 cup basil/parsley, 2 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1/4 cup olive oil.
Roast beets and toast bread. Chop herbs, toss all with vinaigrette.
Whole grains from bread provide B-vitamins, amplifying beets’ stamina-boosting nitrates.

These 12 vibrant beet salads are your ticket to colorful, nutrient-packed meals that are as easy to make as they are delicious. Grab some beets from your market or garden, experiment with these recipes, and watch your plates—and your health—transform! Which one will you try first? Share in the comments below.