Vibrant Beet Salad with Feta and Cucumbers Recipe
This vibrant beet salad combines tender roasted beets with crisp cucumbers, tangy feta cheese, and fresh dill, all brought together with a zesty red wine vinegar and olive oil dressing. A perfect refreshing side dish bursting with flavor and color, ideal for warm days or as a healthy, light meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 4 medium beets (roasted or steamed until tender)
- 1 large cucumber (English or Persian, seedless)
- 1 cup feta cheese (crumbled fresh)
- 1/4 cup fresh dill (can be replaced with mint or parsley)
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar or lemon juice
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- To taste salt
- To taste freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
Instructions
- Roast the beets: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Wrap each beet individually in aluminum foil, place on a baking sheet, and roast for about 60 minutes or until tender when pierced with a fork. Allow to cool, then peel the skins off and dice the beets into bite-sized pieces.
- Prepare cucumbers: Wash the cucumber thoroughly and slice into bite-sized pieces. No need to peel if using seedless English or Persian cucumbers. Transfer the cucumber pieces to a large mixing bowl.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the red wine vinegar or lemon juice with the olive oil. Season with salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and add honey or maple syrup if you prefer a touch of sweetness. Mix thoroughly to emulsify.
- Combine salad ingredients: To the bowl with cucumbers, add the diced roasted beets, crumbled feta cheese, and chopped fresh dill. Pour the prepared dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine all flavors evenly.
- Garnish and serve: Add extra dill sprigs on top for garnish if desired. Serve the salad immediately for a fresh taste, or refrigerate for a short time to let the flavors meld together beautifully.
Notes
- Roasting beets enhances their natural sweetness and flavor, but steaming can be used as a quicker alternative.
- Use seedless cucumbers to avoid excess moisture and bitterness in the salad.
- The optional honey or maple syrup balances the acidity in the dressing, but you can omit it for a tangier salad.
- This salad is best served fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- For a vegan option, substitute feta cheese with a plant-based cheese alternative or omit entirely.
Keywords: beet salad, cucumber salad, feta cheese salad, roasted beets, fresh dill salad, Mediterranean salad, healthy side dish
