Vibrant Beet Salad with Feta and Cucumbers Recipe
A vibrant and refreshing beet salad combining roasted tender beets with crisp cucumbers, creamy feta cheese, and a zesty olive oil and red wine vinegar dressing, enhanced with fresh dill and a hint of sweetness. Perfect as a light side or a healthy snack.
- 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
Vegetables
- 4 medium beets (roasted or steamed until tender)
- 1 large cucumber (English or Persian, seedless)
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar or lemon juice
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Other
- 1 cup feta cheese (crumbled fresh)
- 1/4 cup fresh dill (can replace with mint or parsley)
Instructions
- Roast the Beets: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Wrap each beet individually in aluminum foil and place them on a baking sheet. Roast for about 60 minutes, or until you can easily pierce them with a fork indicating they are tender. Once done, let them cool, then peel off the skins and dice into bite-sized pieces.
- Prepare the Cucumbers: Wash the cucumber thoroughly and slice into bite-sized pieces. There’s no need to peel if you are using English or Persian cucumbers. Place the cucumber slices into a large mixing bowl.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together red wine vinegar or lemon juice with olive oil. Add salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and honey or maple syrup if using. Mix until well combined to create a tangy and balanced dressing.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the diced beets, crumbled feta cheese, and chopped fresh dill to the bowl with cucumbers. Drizzle the prepared dressing on top.
- Toss and Serve: Gently toss all the ingredients together to evenly coat with the dressing. Garnish with extra dill sprigs if desired. Serve immediately for the freshest flavor or refrigerate for a short time to allow the flavors to meld together.
Notes
- Beets can also be steamed instead of roasted for a quicker cooking method.
- Use fresh herbs like mint or parsley as alternatives to dill for a different flavor twist.
- Honey or maple syrup in the dressing is optional but helps balance the acidity if desired.
- English or Persian cucumbers are preferred for their mild flavor and lack of seeds, but regular cucumbers can be used with peeling and seeding.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 2 days, but the feta may soften over time.
Keywords: beet salad, feta cheese, cucumber salad, roasted beets, fresh dill, Mediterranean salad, healthy salad recipe
