Description
This Grated Beet Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish featuring the natural sweetness of fresh beets grated to a crisp texture, combined with bright fresh herbs, a tangy dressing of apple cider vinegar and lemon juice, and crunchy nuts. Quick to prepare and delightfully healthy, it is perfect as a light meal or side dish with a beautiful balance of flavors and textures.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Herbs
- 3 medium fresh beets, washed and peeled
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh mint, finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (natural)
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Nuts
- 1/4 cup walnuts or almonds, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Beets: Carefully wash and peel the fresh beets. Using a fine grater or a food processor with a shredding attachment, grate the beets into thin, uniform pieces to ensure a delightful crunch and even coating with the dressing.
- Mix the Dressing: In a small bowl, combine the apple cider vinegar, fresh lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Whisk well until the ingredients are fully blended, creating a lively and balanced dressing that complements the beets.
- Chop Fresh Herbs and Nuts: Finely chop the parsley and mint to release their fresh aromas. Roughly chop the walnuts or almonds to maintain a satisfying crunchy texture that adds contrast to the salad.
- Toss Everything Together: In a large mixing bowl, combine the grated beets, chopped herbs, and nuts. Pour the dressing over the mixture and toss gently but thoroughly, making sure every strand of beet is coated with the flavorful dressing.
- Let It Rest Briefly: Allow the salad to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes. This resting time lets the flavors meld, softens the beets slightly, and intensifies the zest of the vinaigrette.
Notes
- Use the freshest beets and herbs for the best flavor and color.
- Grate the beets just before serving to maintain their crispness.
- Adjust the amount of apple cider vinegar and lemon juice to achieve your preferred level of tanginess.
- Lightly toast nuts in a dry pan to enhance their flavor and add a fragrant crunch.
- If you desire a thicker dressing texture, stir in a small amount of natural gelling agent.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: International
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: grated beet salad, fresh beet salad, healthy side dish, quick salad, vegan salad, gluten free salad