Beet Salad with Feta, Cucumbers, and Dill Recipe
This refreshing Beet Salad combines tender roasted or steamed beets with crisp cucumber slices, bright dill, and tangy feta cheese. Dressed with a simple olive oil and red wine vinegar dressing, it offers a perfect balance of earthy, fresh, and savory flavors, making it an ideal light appetizer or side dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 4 medium beets, cooked and sliced (roasted or steamed)
- 1 large cucumber, thinly sliced
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar or lemon juice
- Salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (for a touch of sweetness)
Garnish
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
Instructions
- Prep the Beets: If roasting, wrap each beet in foil and roast at 400°F for 45–60 minutes until fork-tender. Let them cool, peel, and then slice. Alternatively, peel and steam the beets by simmering for about 30 minutes until tender.
- Slice the Cucumber: Using a mandoline or a sharp knife, slice the cucumber thinly and evenly to ensure a crisp texture and uniform appearance.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar or lemon juice, and the optional honey or maple syrup for sweetness. Season the dressing with salt and freshly cracked pepper according to your taste.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced beets, cucumber, and chopped fresh dill. Drizzle the prepared dressing over the ingredients and gently toss to coat everything evenly without breaking the vegetables.
- Finish with Feta: Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese over the salad and either give it a final gentle toss or leave the feta on top as a decorative garnish.
- Serve or Chill: Serve the salad immediately for fresh flavors, or refrigerate it for 1 to 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld and deepen before serving.
Notes
- Beets can be cooked either by roasting for richer flavor or steaming for a cleaner taste.
- The optional honey or maple syrup in the dressing balances the acidity and enhances the natural sweetness of the beets.
- For extra texture, consider adding toasted walnuts or pine nuts as a topping.
- This salad can be made a few hours ahead and chilled to deepen flavors, but add the feta just before serving to maintain its texture.
- Use fresh dill for the best flavor; dried dill won’t provide the same brightness.
Keywords: beet salad, roasted beets, cucumber salad, feta cheese salad, dill salad, vegetarian salad, healthy side dish
