Beets and Herbs Salad Recipe on Food52 (2024)

5 Ingredients or Fewer

by: Amanda Hesser

July12,2010

4.5

4 Ratings

  • Serves 4 to 6

Jump to Recipe

Author Notes

Isn't it time to take a break from roasted beets with goat cheese? I thought so. This past weekend, I tossed beets, still warm, with sherry vinegar, Dijon and olive oil. The vinegar makes their sweetness sing; the mustard gives them grit. And a spray of chopped herbs -- basil, tarragon, chives and mint -- beckons the doubters. —Amanda Hesser

  • Test Kitchen-Approved

What You'll Need

Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 poundsbaby beets (weighed after trimming)
  • 4 tablespoonsolive oil
  • 2 teaspoonseach chopped basil, tarragon, chives and mint
  • 1 teaspoonDijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoonsherry vinegar
  • Freshly ground black pepper
Directions
  1. Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Lay a large sheet of aluminum foil on a baking sheet. Scrub the beets and lay them on one end of the foil. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon oil and season with salt. Fold the foil over the beets to make a packet and roll the edges to seal. Bake until the beets are tender, about 30 minutes. Let sit on the baking sheet until warm but not hot.
  2. While the beets are still warm, peel them (I find that pressing against the sides of the beets with your thumb loosens the skins) and slice into 1/2-inch wedges. Add the wedges to a serving bowl as you go.
  3. Whisk together the mustard, vinegar and a pinch of salt and pepper. Gradually whisk in the remaining 3 tablespoons oil, until the dressing is emulsified. (You can also just throw everything into a jar, screw on the lid tightly and shake until emulsified.)
  4. Pour about half the dressing over the beets. Sprinkle in the herbs. Season generously with pepper. Toss well, then taste and adjust seasoning, adding more dressing or salt as needed. Let sit for at least 20 minutes before serving.

Tags:

  • Salad
  • Vegetable
  • Beet
  • Mustard
  • Vinegar
  • 5 Ingredients or Fewer
  • Make Ahead
  • Serves a Crowd
  • Gluten-Free
  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Alex Bates

  • Claire de la Lune

  • Adelucchi

  • Marquis

  • ChefJune

Recipe by: Amanda Hesser

Before starting Food52 with Merrill, I was a food writer and editor at the New York Times. I've written several books, including "Cooking for Mr. Latte" and "The Essential New York Times Cookbook." I played myself in "Julie & Julia" -- hope you didn't blink, or you may have missed the scene! I live in Brooklyn with my husband, Tad, and twins, Walker and Addison.

Popular on Food52

28 Reviews

Amanda W. August 1, 2018

Can I make this the night before? Should I dress immediately and save herbs for next day, or leave naked and dress completely the next day?

Amanda H. August 1, 2018

Hi Amanda, you can make this the night before -- the herbs may darken a bit but it should taste just fine. If you don't want the herbs to darken, then dress it the night before without the herbs and fold in the herbs a few minutes before serving.

Alex B. January 2, 2017

Thank you ! happy to break out of my beet-coma. just ordered some beets from my CSA, looking forward to making this tomorrow.

Claire D. December 30, 2016

Would this taste good warm, do you think? Looking for a good warm beets dish to serve underneath burrata

Amanda H. December 30, 2016

Yes! Add the herbs just a few minutes before serving so they stay bright and fresh.

Adelucchi November 3, 2014

Thanks for this recipe. The beets from my CSA box turned out great!
Didn't have any fresh herbs except mint from my garden. Substituted Herbs De Provence for the rest and Scribner Bend Zinfandel Orange mustard. Delicious!!

Amanda H. November 3, 2014

Glad you liked it!

Nora February 17, 2014

What are the nutritional stats on this recipe please?

Amanda H. February 17, 2014

Hi Nora, we don't have nutritional stats on our recipes -- since this is just beets, oil, and herbs, it's definitely a healthy one. Hope you like it!

Marquis July 16, 2013

This is so simple but seems so delicious. Thanks for sharing! My hubby loves beets, I'm sure he will love this!

Amanda H. July 16, 2013

Hope he does!

ChefJune June 12, 2013

so glad you pulled this up today! This looks like a no-brainer for when the new crop of young beets show up this summer while fresh herbs are running rampant in everyone's gardens (especially mine...)

AnnP January 13, 2012

Love!!! It's a good thing my husband doesn't like beets because I would have had to fight him off for the seconds. Thanks!

Amanda H. January 13, 2012

Forks do work as a handy defense. Glad you liked it!

thebreukelenlife February 22, 2011

My friends and I made these on Sunday for our supper club. Amazing! Happy to say that it converted a few wary beet eaters into possibly enthusiastic beet eaters.

Amanda H. February 22, 2011

Converting people with food is the best part of cooking.

gingerroot November 26, 2010

I found some lovely Chioggia beets at the farmer's market and included this on my Thanksgiving table last night. It was a wonderful addition. I will be making this again and again. Thanks.

Amanda H. November 26, 2010

So glad to know!

marygilmore June 29, 2021

Often, beginners start learning by already knowing something about [url=https://fullsync.co.uk/best-it-hardware-and-software-deals/]https://fullsync.co.uk/best-it-hardware-and-software-deals/[/url] programming. Everything goes well at first, but as you study, problems begin. Why? Beginners quickly go through the introductory part, thinking that they already know everything, but in reality this is rarely the case. They know some of the material, but not enough to grasp the basics well.

msnyc November 21, 2010

Amanda, out of curiosity, why do we salt the beets before roasting when they will be peeled later?

Amanda H. November 26, 2010

The seasoning seems to work its way into the beets.

TheWimpyVegetarian July 29, 2010

Made this tonight. Loved it!! It's a keeper for me!

Denise July 14, 2010

I'd like to make this today and I'd like to use all of the requisite herbs, but then I'll have 4 bunches of beautiful herbs minus two teaspoons each. We are a household of 2. What to do with all of these herbs... Any suggestions?

Amanda H. November 26, 2010

Sorry just saw this. You could make a vinaigrette or use the herbs to infuse an oil.

dymnyno July 12, 2010

I love the simplicity of this...roasted beets with a classic vinaigrette on steroids (actually herbs)

athoughtforfood July 12, 2010

I couldn't agree more! Roasted beets and goat cheese is overdone. There are so many other things you can do with them! A lovely recipe... you really can't go wrong with these ingredients.

marygilmore June 29, 2021

Often, beginners start learning by already knowing something about https://fullsync.co.uk/best-it-hardware-and-software-deals/ programming. Everything goes well at first, but as you study, problems begin. Why? Beginners quickly go through the introductory part, thinking that they already know everything, but in reality this is rarely the case. They know some of the material, but not enough to grasp the basics well.

Beets and Herbs Salad Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

What can you add to beets to make them taste better? ›

Extra virgin olive oil adds flavor to the beets and keeps them from burning. Salt + Pepper. Simple seasonings essential to roasted vegetables. Balsamic Vinegar.

Why add vinegar to beets? ›

However, I came up with a simple recipe that I enjoy. I simply grate or julienne them and then pour balsamic vinegar on them raw. The resulting beet slaw is just delicious. The strong taste of the vinegar balances the strong taste of beets.

How to make beet root salad? ›

Unwrap the beets and let them cool. Meanwhile, whisk oil, vinegar, mustard, honey, salt and pepper in a small bowl to make the dressing. When the beets are cool enough to handle, slip off the skins. Cut into 1/2-inch cubes and place in a large bowl.

Is it better to roast or boil beets for salad? ›

The softest texture will be the boiled beets, the roasted beets will be tender, but will still have a little “bite” to them. The steamed beets will be somewhere in the middle. If using the beets in a salad, or serving them as a side dish, I prefer the roasted or steamed beets.

What pairs with beets? ›

Some foods that mix well with beets include goat cheese, arugula, walnuts, lemon juice, and balsamic vinegar. Other complementary ingredients include orange, dill, horseradish, and sour cream. Beets also pair well with meats such as chicken, fish, and pork.

What is the most delicious way to eat beets? ›

Roasted with goat cheese.

– The classic, all-time favorite preparation. Roast beets until they are tender and juicy, then eat them with some spicy greens and piquant goat cheese. Add some hazelnuts and you're in heaven.

How do you take the bitterness out of beets? ›

Beetroots can taste bitter due to compounds like geosmin and saponins. To reduce bitterness when eating them as a vegetable, choose young beetroots, peel and cook them, combine with other flavors, blanch them, or remove the skin before cooking. 2nd method you can boil beetroot to reduce bitterness before cooking.

How do you make beets taste like meat? ›

Cure your vegetables as you would a piece of meat for a couple of days. This can be achieved by rubbing the vegetable or mushroom with salt at a concentration of 1.75% of the vegetable's weight, wrapping it tightly in plastic or vacuum sealing it, and letting it sit in the fridge for 2-3 days.

Should you peel or wash beets? ›

Sometimes beets are peeled before cooking. They may also be scrubbed and cooked until tender with their skins on; the skins slip off fairly easily after cooling. (Some people are happy to leave the skins on; they are fine to eat.) You can also pickle cooked beets.

How long does beet salad last in fridge? ›

How to Store Beet Salad. Cooked beets will last for three to five days in the refrigerator. Store them in an airtight container or heavy-duty aluminum foil for best results. To freeze beets for salad, store them (cubed or whole) in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to eight months.

How do you keep beets from bleeding in salad? ›

Add lemon or vinegar for vibrant beets

A simple trick to prevent your beets from bleeding color, according to The Spruce Eats, is to add a tablespoon of lemon or vinegar to the boiling water.

How healthy is beet salad? ›

For the Salad

Beets are an incredibly nutritious ingredient, meaning beet salads are good for you. They taste earthy with a hint of sweetness and are rich in vitamin C, fiber, and folate. Beet lovers rejoice with my Beet Hummus. Arugula.

Can dogs eat beets? ›

Yes! Beets are safe for your dog to eat in moderation and are a healthy source of vitamin C, fiber, folate, manganese, and potassium. These vitamins and minerals are good for your dog's digestion and immune system as well as a healthy skin and coat. While it's rare, some dogs can be allergic.

Should I peel beets before boiling? ›

First, wash and scrub the beets thoroughly to remove any dirt. Cut off the greens if attached. Make sure to leave about one inch of the stem to prevent them from releasing too much red color into the water. Do not peel the beets before boiling, unless you want to boil them cubed.

Can you drink the beet juice from boiling beets? ›

The best use for beet stock--the water you boiled fresh beets in--is to drink it. Make sure, of course, you wash the beets before boiling so your stock is free of unwanted icky stuff.

How do you make beets more palatable? ›

My favorite way to cook beets is to roast them, which gives a sweeter, richer, and deeper flavor than boiling does. Another advantage is that they don't bleed as much, especially if they're roasted whole.

How do you make red beets taste good? ›

Roasted beets in foil

Basically, wrapping the beets in foil locks in some moisture as they cook. This moisture helps the beets to become especially sweet and tender. It also has the effect of making it easy to slip the skins off of the beets after they roast.

How do you mask the flavor of beets? ›

While a bit of honey, maple syrup, or stevia can help mask earthy undertones, add these sweeteners conservatively to avoid overwhelming the natural flavors of the beets. Start with 1-2 teaspoons of your preferred sweetener per 16 oz serving and add more if needed.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Frankie Dare

Last Updated:

Views: 5815

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (53 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Frankie Dare

Birthday: 2000-01-27

Address: Suite 313 45115 Caridad Freeway, Port Barabaraville, MS 66713

Phone: +3769542039359

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Baton twirling, Stand-up comedy, Leather crafting, Rugby, tabletop games, Jigsaw puzzles, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Frankie Dare, I am a funny, beautiful, proud, fair, pleasant, cheerful, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.