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

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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? ›

The roasted beets are wonderful on their own, seasoned simply with salt and pepper, or dressed up more with citrus juice, herbs, or balsamic vinegar. Serve them with any weeknight dinner, or add them to a holiday meal. These oven roasted beets keep well for days in the fridge, so they're great for making ahead.

Why add vinegar to beets? ›

Beets are a weekly ritual around here. Usually we boil them and toss them in a sweet sour vinaigrette and keep them in the refrigerator to eat all week. The vinegar in the dressing "pickles" the beets, helping them last longer in the fridge.

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 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.

Why do I feel better after eating beets? ›

Did you know that there's a scientific reason that these little earth gems make you feel good? Now you do! Beets are a fantastic source of the chemical betaine anhydrous and the amino acid tryptophan, both of which are shown to improve your mood.

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.

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 healthy is beet 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.

Is Beet Salad good for you? ›

Packed with nutrition, beets have antioxidants like betalains that fight cell damage and inflammation, potentially offering protection against cancer and heart disease. Health benefits of beets include more stamina during exercise, heart disease and stroke prevention, and lower blood pressure.

What is the healthiest way to eat beets? ›

Eating beets raw or juicing and roasting them may be more beneficial than boiling them. Beetroots, commonly known as beets, are a vibrant and versatile type of vegetable. They're known for their earthy flavor and aroma. Many people call them a superfood because of their rich nutritional profile.

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 make beets taste good? ›

Caramelize them on a grill. Roasting beets seems like the most common method to bring out their natural sweetness. However, there's one unconventional way to caramelize beets: firing up the grill and watching it do its magic. Not only does it intensify their candy-like flavor, but it also imparts a smokiness to them.

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.

What is the most popular 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.

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