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Fresh Cold Summer Roasted Beet and Blood Orange Salad

roasted beet and blood orange salad - featured image

A refreshing and vibrant salad combining earthy roasted beets with tangy blood oranges, fresh herbs, and a tangy dressing, perfect for hot summer days.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 medium-sized fresh beets, washed and trimmed
  • 3 large blood oranges, peeled and segmented
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon raw honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ cup crumbled goat cheese or feta (optional)
  • ¼ cup toasted walnuts or pistachios (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Wash beets thoroughly and trim leafy tops, leaving about an inch of stem. Wrap each beet individually in aluminum foil and place on a baking sheet.
  2. Roast beets for 45-60 minutes until a skewer or fork slides in easily. Larger beets may need the full hour.
  3. Remove beets from oven and let cool completely at room temperature (about 30 minutes). Rub skins off gently with fingers or paper towel.
  4. Peel blood oranges with a sharp knife, removing white pith. Cut between membranes to release segments into a bowl, catching juice.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, honey, salt, and black pepper until emulsified. Adjust honey and vinegar to taste.
  6. Slice roasted beets into bite-sized wedges or rounds. In a large mixing bowl, combine beets, blood orange segments, chopped mint, and basil if using. Pour dressing over and gently toss to coat.
  7. Transfer salad to serving dish. Sprinkle crumbled goat cheese or feta and toasted nuts on top if using. Chill salad for 15-20 minutes before serving.

Notes

Wrap beets in foil to retain moisture and make peeling easier. Let beets cool completely before peeling and slicing to avoid mushy texture. Toss salad gently to keep blood orange segments intact. Keep cheese and nuts separate if preparing ahead to maintain texture. For vegan version, omit cheese and use maple syrup instead of honey.

Nutrition

Keywords: roasted beet salad, blood orange salad, summer salad, refreshing salad, healthy salad, vegan salad option, gluten-free salad