Beet and Apple Salad

Beet and Apple Salad is a colorful and tasty dish that combines sweet apples with earthy roasted beets. It’s fresh, crunchy, and perfect for lunch or as a side dish at dinner. This salad is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients that are good for you.

Why Make This Recipe

Making Beet and Apple Salad is a great choice because it’s healthy and full of flavor. The balance of sweet and savory from apples and blue cheese makes it enjoyable. Plus, it’s easy to prepare, and you can impress your family or friends with this lovely dish!

How to Make Beet and Apple Salad

Ingredients

• Mixed greens (e.g., spinach, arugula)
• Beets, roasted and sliced
• Apples, sliced (preferably a sweet variety like Fuji or Honeycrisp)
• Pecans, chopped
• Blue cheese, crumbled
• Honey-Lemon Mustard Dressing (made with honey, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, olive oil, salt, and pepper)

Directions

1. Start by roasting the beets: Wrap cleaned beets in aluminum foil and roast in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 45-60 minutes, or until fork-tender. Allow cooling, then peel and slice.
2. Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, and 4 tablespoons olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. In a large salad bowl, combine mixed greens, sliced beets, and sliced apples. Toss gently to combine.
4. Add chopped pecans and crumbled blue cheese on top of the salad.
5. Drizzle the honey-lemon mustard dressing over the salad just before serving. Toss lightly to evenly coat all ingredients and serve immediately.

How to Serve Beet and Apple Salad

Serve Beet and Apple Salad fresh. You can add more dressing if you like it extra flavorful. It’s great as a light lunch or as a side with your dinner meal.

How to Store Beet and Apple Salad

If you have leftovers, you can store the salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. However, it’s best to keep the dressing separate until you are ready to eat to avoid wilting the greens.

Tips to Make Beet and Apple Salad

• Use fresh ingredients for the best taste.
• Roast the beets in advance; they can be stored in the fridge for a few days.
• Adjust the apple and beet quantities based on your preference.
• If you don’t have blue cheese, feta cheese works great too.

Variation (If Any)

You can change the nuts to walnuts or sunflower seeds for a different crunchy texture. You can also try adding other fruits, like pears or grapes, for more sweetness.

FAQs

Can I use canned beets instead of roasting them?
Yes, you can use canned beets. Just slice and add them directly to the salad, but fresh roasted beets add more flavor.

What if I don’t like blue cheese?
You can substitute blue cheese with feta or goat cheese for a milder taste.

Is this salad vegan?
No, this salad contains cheese and honey. To make it vegan, you can skip the cheese and use maple syrup instead of honey in the dressing.