Beet Salad with Feta, Cucumbers, and Dill Recipe
A refreshing and vibrant Beet Salad with Feta, Cucumbers, and Dill, perfect as a light side dish or healthy snack. This recipe combines the earthiness of roasted or steamed beets with crisp cucumbers, tangy feta cheese, and fresh dill, all brought together by a simple olive oil and vinegar dressing with an optional touch of sweetness.
- Author: Mia
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-60 minutes (roasting) or 30 minutes (steaming)
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Roasting or Steaming and Tossing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Beet Salad Ingredients
- 4 medium beets, cooked and sliced (roasted or steamed)
- 1 large cucumber, thinly sliced
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
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)
- Prep the Beets: If roasting, wrap each beet in foil and roast at 400°F (200°C) for 45 to 60 minutes until fork-tender. Once cooled, peel off the skins and slice them evenly. If steaming, peel the beets first, then simmer in water for about 30 minutes until tender, then slice.
- Slice the Cucumber: Use a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife to cut the cucumber into thin, uniform slices to ensure a crisp texture that complements the beets.
- 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 if using. Season the dressing with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
- Assemble: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced beets, cucumbers, and chopped fresh dill. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine all the flavors without breaking up the beet slices.
- Finish with Feta: Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese on top of the salad and give it one last gentle toss or leave the feta as a garnish for a more elegant presentation.
- Serve or Chill: Serve the salad immediately for the freshest taste, or refrigerate it for 1 to 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld beautifully before serving.
Notes
- Roasting the beets brings out a deeper, sweeter flavor compared to steaming.
- For an even healthier option, use reduced-fat feta cheese.
- You can prepare the beets a day ahead to save time during assembly.
- Adjust the amount of dressing based on your flavor preference.
- Optional sweetener helps balance the earthiness of the beets but can be omitted for a dairy-free or lower sugar version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 12 mg
Keywords: Beet salad, feta cheese, cucumber salad, Mediterranean salad, healthy salad, vegetarian salad, fresh dill, roasted beets