Roasted Beet Salad with Feta & Citrus Vinaigrette

This roasted beet salad with feta and citrus vinaigrette is loaded with flavor and texture from roasted beets, creamy avocado, fresh red onion, walnuts, feta cheese, and citrus fruits! It's a delicious, healthy, easy-to-make salad recipe that everyone will love!

A white oval platter served with colorful beet salad and feta, and citrus fruits.

You'll Love This Citrusy Beet and Feta Salad

"I love beets! They're versatile, loaded with vitamins and minerals - and are fantastic in this salad. Paired with bright citrus fruits, salty feta cheese, and walnuts is simply perfect!"

If you love beetroot, be sure to try this roasted pumpkin and beetroot salad, and if you just want a simple side dish, make these easy air fryer roasted beets! They're so good!

Perfectly Paired

Many people think of pickled beets when you bring them up in conversation, but have you tried them roasted? They have a whole different flavor profile when you roast them in the oven and pair very well with bright, tangy flavors such as citrus, feta cheese, nuts, and peppery arugula.

Complimenting Textures

This beet salad with feta has a crunchiness from the fresh red onion and walnuts and creaminess from the avocado, feta cheese, and vinaigrette. Put that together with fresh cucumber, spinach, arugula, and juicy citrus fruits it all ties together perfectly!

Healthy

This salad is a fun way to incorporate many different food groups and keep it healthy! It is loaded with healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals, low calorie, gluten-free, low carb, and vegetarian.

Roasted Beet Salad Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you will need to make beet salad with feta:

Salad

Red Onion - red onion is used because of its color and mild sweetness.
Beetroot - a traditional red beet will give this salad the most color, but you can also use golden beet - or any variety you choose.
Feta - you can use whatever your preference is. You can crumble off of a block of feta or purchase already crumbled feta for ease.
Toasted Walnuts - purchase raw walnuts and toast them at home, or you can purchase pre-roasted walnuts to save on time.
Baby Spinach
Arugula - I love using arugula in salads for its bright, citrusy, and peppery taste.
Orange - fresh orange is used in this salad.
Grapefruit - fresh grapefruit is used in this salad. Caution: grapefruit should be avoided when taking certain medications. Be sure to check your medications to see if you should avoid them.
Cucumber - use a traditional cucumber or even salad cucumbers, which are petite-sized ones with fewer seeds and a great crunch!
Avocado - I used a medium-sized avocado in my salad, but you can also use more or less as you prefer.
Salt and Pepper - used to taste.

Vinaigrette

Shallot - very finely diced in the vinaigrette.
White Wine Vinegar - this vinegar is a bit lighter and brighter than its counterpart (red wine vinegar). It pairs very well with citrus in this vinaigrette.
Walnut Oil - you can also use olive oil or your preferred oil choice.
Orange or Grapefruit Juice - or you can use a combination of both!
Orange or Grapefruit Zest - very finely grated zest; you can also use a combination.
Salt and Pepper - used to taste.

For exact ingredient quantities, please see the recipe card below!

Substitutions and Variations

You can use walnut oil or olive oil in this recipe. If you haven't tried walnut oil before, it has a really lovely taste!
Use goat cheese crumbles in place of the crumbled feta cheese.
Adjust any ingredients or seasonings in this salad to fit your liking.
To increase acidity, add more vinegar or cheese.
Use any variety of beetroot that you like. Try using roasted butternut squash in place of beetroot for a great alternative as well!

How To Make Beet Salad with Feta

Make the Vinaigrette

Add the shallot and vinegar to a small jar and let sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients. Stir to combine or cover with a lid and shake. Adjust salt, pepper, and citrus juices to taste.

Roast Beets

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a roasting pan with parchment paper.

In a bowl, toss the beetroot with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread the beets out on the roasting pan in a single layer.

Bake for 15 minutes, remove from the oven and toss. Return to the oven and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes or until the vegetables are soft but not overcooked.

Remove the beets from the oven and let them cool completely.

Assemble the Salad

Remove the top and bottom from the orange and grapefruit. Peel, then carefully segment the slices with a sharp knife. Cut along the membrane to the center, then repeat on the other side, releasing the slices.

Arrange the arugula and spinach on a salad plate. Layer the citrus fruit, beets, onion, and cucumber slices.

Cut the avocado in half and remove the pit. Scoop out spoonfuls and place them on the salad.

Top with feta and toasted walnuts. Drizzle with the citrus vinaigrette. Adjust the acidity and seasoning if needed, and serve!

How To Serve This Beet Salad Recipe

Because the beetroot does tend to "bleed" onto its surroundings, it is best to serve this salad assembled on a plate or platter and not toss it all together.
Serve alone as a meal, or serve alongside a beautiful roast!
Meal idea! For a special occasion, serve this salad as a starter, then for the main dish, Cordon Bleu Stuffed Pork Loin with Crockpot Green Beans and Ham, and mashed potatoes or a simple Microwave Steamed Cauliflower with butter and parsley.

Beet salad with feta served on a white oval platter.

How To Store Beet Salad

It is best to make only what you are able to eat. If possible, prepare your ingredients ahead of time, keeping the ingredients in separate containers ready to throw together. These ingredients will last up to 4 days in the refrigerator. The greens, up to a week.

Kori's Tips

For quick assembly, prepare salad dressing, roast the beets, and toast the walnuts ahead of time. You can also prepare the citrus fruits in advance too.
Add the oil last when making a vinaigrette. This helps keep the vinaigrette from breaking (separating).
Make sure to check your beets as they roast. An overcooked beet can get mushy.

FAQs

How do you cut beets for salads?

The easiest way to cut beets is to slice them lengthwise into half-inch strips, again lengthwise, then turn them into half-inch cubes. Roasting time can vary depending on the size of the cube, whether smaller or larger.

What fruits go with beets?

Citrus fruits, fresh berries, apples, and pears are the best fruits to pair with beets. The earthy-sweet combo pairs wonderfully together!

What cheese goes well with beets?

Strong, sharp cheeses are said to pair the best with beets. Those cheeses include feta, goat, and blue cheeses of all sorts. The saltiness of these cheeses helps cut through the tame earthiness of the beets!

What mixes well with beets?

There are many vegetables and fruits that go well with beets. The sweetness of most fruits balances nicely with the earthiness of beets. Vegetables such as parsnips, sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, arugula, avocado, and spinach pair well with beets just as well!

📖 The recipe.

More Salad Recipes

If you are looking for more unique healthy, delicious salad recipes, be sure to try these out:

Roasted Beet Salad with Feta and Citrus Vinaigrette