Beet Salad with Feta Cheese

This Beet Salad with Feta is colorful, fresh, and layered with flavor, thanks to sweet roasted beets, creamy feta, avocado, crunchy pecans, and a tangy balsamic vinaigrette that ties everything together!

I don’t know about you, but my favorite way to eat beets is roasted, always. Roasting concentrates their natural sweetness, tones down any earthiness, and gives them that perfect tender-but-not-mushy texture!

And this beet salad with feta wouldn’t be the same without its luscious dressing! The balance of balsamic, Dijon, and a touch of maple syrup is so good, soaking into the warm beets and clinging to the greens in the best way. Every bite hits that sweet-salty-tangy-crunchy combo that every salad needs!

Why You’ll Love This Beet Salad with Feta Cheese

• Roasted beets at their best. Roasting brings out the natural sweetness of the beets and gives them a silky, tender texture that’s miles better than boiling or steaming.
• A perfectly balanced vinaigrette! The balsamic dressing is tangy, slightly sweet, and savory, tying all the components together without overpowering the salad.
• Great mix of textures. Creamy feta, crunchy toasted pecans, silky avocado, and tender beets make every bite interesting.
• Elegant but easy. This salad looks impressive enough for entertaining, but the steps are simple and mostly hands-off.
• Flexible and customizable! It’s easy to swap ingredients based on what you have, making it a great go-to salad year-round.

Ingredient Notes

• Beets: Red beets work beautifully here, but golden beets are a great option if you prefer a milder flavor.
• Olive oil: Use good-quality olive oil!
• Balsamic vinegar: Adds sweetness and acidity. A thicker balsamic gives the dressing extra body.
• Dijon mustard: Helps emulsify the dressing and adds a subtle savory kick.
• Maple syrup or honey: Just enough to balance the acidity of the vinegar.
• Mixed baby greens: A blend of arugula, spinach, and chard gives great flavor and texture.
• Feta cheese: Salty and creamy, it pairs perfectly with sweet beets.
• Shallot: Adds mild onion flavor without overpowering the salad.
• Avocados: Bring richness and a buttery texture!
• Pecans: Toasted for extra crunch and nutty flavor. Or replace with sunflower seeds for a nut-free option.

Variations & Substitutions

• Swap goat cheese or blue cheese for feta if you want a different flavor profile. Or use a planta-based feta for a vegan option.
• Use walnuts, almonds, or pistachios instead of pecans!
• Replace balsamic vinegar with red wine vinegar for a sharper dressing.
• Add freshly chopped herbs, for example you could add parsley, basil, cilantro or even dill.

Tips for Success

1. Roast the beets until they’re truly tender. The beets should slide easily off a knife when pierced. Fully roasted beets are sweeter, less earthy, and have that soft-but-not-mushy texture!
2. Peel the beets while they’re still slightly warm. Once the beets are cool enough to handle but not completely cold, the skins will rub off easily with your fingers or a paper towel.
3. Toast the pecans for maximum flavor. Toasting brings out the natural oils in the nuts and deepens their flavor, adding much more crunch and richness to the salad. Just keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t burn!
4. Assemble and dress the salad just before serving. Waiting to add the dressing helps the greens stay fresh and vibrant instead of wilting. If you’re serving this for guests, you can prep everything ahead and simply assemble and drizzle right before serving!

Serving Suggestions

This roasted beet salad with feta cheese works beautifully as a side dish for your favorite mains. I like to serve it with roasted pork tenderloin, chimichurri roasted chicken, or citrus marinated fish! It also pairs well with a crusty loaf of bread for a lighter meal.

For entertaining, it’s a great addition to a holiday spread or dinner party menu because it adds both color and freshness to the table.

Frequently Asked Questions

What cheeses pair well with roasted beet salad?

Feta is a classic pairing because its saltiness balances the sweetness of the beets. Goat cheese, blue cheese, or even shaved parmesan also work well depending on the flavor profile you’re going for.

What dressing goes on beetroot and feta salad?

A vinaigrette is ideal, especially one with balsamic or red wine vinegar. The acidity cuts through the sweetness of the beets and richness of the feta, keeping the salad balanced and bright.

Can I store the beet salad for later?

This beetroot salad is best enjoyed fresh, but the roasted beets can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. If you have leftovers, store them undressed and add the vinaigrette just before serving. Once dressed, the greens will soften and are best eaten within 1 day.

Beet Salad with Feta, Avocado and Pecans

Easy and delicious beet salad recipe prepared with homemade roasted beets, creamy feta cheese, shallots, avocado slices and toasted pecans with a balsamic vinaigrette dressing.

No ratings yet

Print Pin Your Questions and Comments

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American, European, International

Keyword: Avocado, Balsamic dressing, Feta cheese, Roasted beets, Shallots

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Ingredients

For the roasted beets:

• 2 lb 900 g beets – 4 large or 6 medium beets , scrubbed and trimmed
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• A pinch of salt and black pepper

For the balsamic vinaigrette dressing:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

For the salad:

• 6 packed cups mixed baby greens
• 4 oz or 120 g feta cheese, crumbled
• 1 small shallot thinly sliced
• 2 avocados peeled and sliced just before serving
• 1/2 cup toasted pecans roughly chopped

Instructions

Roast the beets:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Wrap the beets loosely in foil and place them on a baking sheet. Roast for about 1 hour, or until tender when pierced with a knife. Roasting time depends on the size of your beets – larger ones may need up to 90 minutes.

  You can also cut the large ones in half (and wrap the halves in foil) to reduce the roasting time.
  
• When ready, unwrap and let cool until safe to handle. Peel and cut into cubes.
  
• Place the cubed beets in a bowl and toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
  

Make the balsamic dressing:

• In a small bowl or jar, add olive oil, balsamic vinegar, mustard, maple syrup, salt, and pepper. Whisk or shake until combined.
  

Assemble the beet salad:

• Arrange the greens on a large serving platter. Scatter the diced beets over the top.
  
• Sprinkle the feta over the salad, then add the shallot.
  
• Add the avocado slices, followed by the pecans.
  
• Drizzle with the vinaigrette just before serving. Enjoy!
  

Notes

?This salad is best assembled shortly before serving for the best flavor and appearance.
?I used a mix of baby arugula, baby spinach, and baby chard, but any mixed baby greens will work.
?Slice the avocados just before serving and toss with a little lemon juice/olive oil to prevent browning.
?Beets can be roasted up to 2 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before assembling the salad.
?Don’t skip toasting the pecans – it brings out more flavor. They can be toasted for 5-7 minutes in a 350°F / 175°C oven or 3-4 minutes in a dry skillet.
?For a different crunch, toasted almonds, walnuts, or pistachios can be used instead of pecans. For a nut-free option, swap in roasted chickpeas.
?If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoy within 1 day. The greens may soften once dressed.

Photos of the step by step preparation process for Roasted Beet Salad with Feta Cheese, Avocado, Shallots, and Pecans:

More Salad Recipes to Try

1

Strawberry goat cheese arugula salad

Quick and easy strawberry goat cheese arugula salad recipe made with strawberry slices, crumbled goat cheese, arugula, red onions, spicy pecans, balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

Check out this recipe

2

Chicken Cobb Salad

This Chicken Cobb Salad is made with grilled chicken breast, avocado, boiled eggs, bacon, blue cheese, tomato, red onion, romaine lettuce and mustard vinaigrette.

Check out this recipe

3

Steak salad with blue cheese, avocado and basil balsamic dressing

Delicious recipe for steak salad with blue cheese, avocado and basil balsamic dressing, made with grilled or seared beef, diced avocado, crumbled blue cheese, red onions and a basil balsamic salad dressing.

Check out this recipe

4

Avocado pasta salad with tomatoes and feta cheese or queso fresco

Recipe for a refreshing avocado pasta salad with tomatoes, feta cheese or queso fresco,red onions, basil, olive oil, lemon, and salt/pepper.

Check out this recipe

5

Niçoise salad

Classic Nicoise salad recipe – tuna fish, potatoes, green beans, hard-boiled eggs, tomatoes, olives and capers – with a Latin twist by adding avocado slices, lime marinated onions and a spicy serrano cilantro vinaigrette.

Check out this recipe

6

Ensalada de Gallina (Venezuelan Chicken Salad)

Recipe for Venezuelan Ensalada de Gallina, this traditional holiday chicken salad is made with potatoes, carrots, chicken, peas onions, apples (optional), mayonnaise, mustard.

Check out this recipe

7

Ecuadorian Tuna Potato Salad (Ensalada de papa y atún)

Ecuadorian tuna potato salad, also known as ensalada de papa y atún, is made with boiled potatoes, canned tuna fish, red onion, tomatoes, cilantro, and lime juice.

Check out this recipe

8

Latin chopped salad with hearts of palm, jicama, and avocado

Refreshing Latin chopped salad with hearts of palm (or palmito), jicama, avocado, orange slices, cucumber, radishes, red onions, salad greens.Topped with a creamy avocado cilantro dressing, crunchy chips, and crumbled queso fresco.

Check out this recipe

9

Garbanzo or chickpea salad with avocado and tuna fish

Simple and delicious chickpea salad with avocado and tuna fish, this quick and refreshing salad is made with garbanzo beans or chickpeas, avocado, tuna fish, red onions, tomato, lemon, mustard, olive oil, and cilantro.

Check out this recipe

10

Green bean tomato salad with cilantro lime mustard dressing {Ensalada de vainitas con tomate y cebolla}

Easy recipe for a refreshing green bean tomato salad with red onions and cilantro lime mustard dressing.

Check out this recipe