Beet Salad with Feta, Cucumbers, and Dill is a vibrant dish, combining the earthiness of beets with creamy feta and crisp cucumber for a satisfying, fresh meal that’s ready in 60 minutes.
Beet Salad with Feta, Cucumbers, and Dill is the perfect dish when you want something fresh. This recipe pairs the natural sweetness of cooked beets with the salty tang of feta cheese. You will love how easy it is to prepare, requiring only simple ingredients and minimal effort. It offers a beautiful color and a complex flavor profile that feels both sophisticated and comforting. You can serve this as a side dish or a light, satisfying main course.
Key Takeaways
- You can use pre-cooked beets for a 15-minute preparation time.
- The simple vinaigrette uses red wine vinegar or lemon juice.
- Feta and dill provide a fresh, Mediterranean-inspired flavor.
- The salad is best served immediately or chilled for up to two hours.
Beet Salad with Feta, Cucumbers, and Dill is a light, flavorful side dish ready in about an hour. You prepare it by combining sliced cooked beets, cucumbers, and dill. A simple dressing of olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper is then drizzled over the top. Finishing the dish with crumbled feta cheese adds the perfect salty, creamy contrast you want. This recipe is a fantastic way to enjoy fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Preparing the Beet Salad with Feta
Beet Salad with Feta, Cucumbers, and Dill is all about layers of flavor and texture. You will find that preparing the components separately before the final assembly is the easiest method. This approach ensures every ingredient maintains its integrity, from the crispness of the cucumber to the softness of the beets. You are creating a dish where every bite offers a balanced mix of sweet, earthy, and salty notes.
How to Cook Your Beets Perfectly
To achieve the best texture, you have two primary cooking methods for the beets. You can roast them by wrapping each one in aluminum foil, baking them at 400°F until they become fork-tender. Roasting takes 45–60 minutes and concentrates the beet’s natural sweetness beautifully. Alternatively, you can steam peeled beets for about 30 minutes for a slightly quicker option that maintains more moisture.
After cooking, you must let the beets cool completely before peeling and slicing them. For your own benefit, it is smart to wear gloves when peeling beets to avoid staining your hands. Slicing them uniformly ensures that every piece absorbs the dressing evenly, which will improve your final salad’s overall taste.
Slicing the Cucumber and Chopping Dill
The cucumber adds essential crunch and freshness to the overall texture of your salad. You should aim for thin, consistent slices; a mandoline slicer works best for this task. However, a sharp knife and a steady hand will also give you great results you can be proud of.
Fresh dill is a non-negotiable component of this recipe, providing its signature Mediterranean-inspired flavor. You should chop the dill just before assembling to maximize its aromatic punch. Remember that fresh herbs make a huge difference in simple dishes like this.
Creating the Simple Vinaigrette Dressing
A simple yet effective dressing is key to binding the distinct flavors of the salad together. This vinaigrette relies on only a few components to deliver maximum impact. You will find that balancing the acidity with the oil is the most important step here.
Mixing the Olive Oil and Acid
In a small bowl, you should whisk together the olive oil and your choice of acid. You can use either red wine vinegar for a classic, robust flavor or fresh lemon juice for a brighter, lighter taste. The ratio is important here; you want enough oil to coat the vegetables without making the salad greasy.
You also have the option to add a touch of sweetness to the dressing. A teaspoon of honey or maple syrup is perfect for enhancing the natural sweetness of the beets. This small addition helps create a more rounded and balanced flavor profile that everyone will enjoy.
Seasoning Your Beet Salad with Feta
Seasoning is the final step in creating a flavorful dressing for your Beet Salad with Feta. You must use salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Start with a conservative amount, as you can always add more later.
Keep in mind that the feta cheese itself is quite salty, so be mindful when adding salt to the dressing initially. You want to adjust the seasoning until it tastes balanced before you pour it over the salad components. This ensures the final dish isn’t overly salty.
Assembling the Final Dish
The assembly phase of your Beet Salad with Feta, Cucumbers, and Dill is quick and straightforward. The main goal is to gently combine all the prepped ingredients without over-tossing or mushing the cooked beets. You want the ingredients to look beautiful and distinct.
Combining Beets, Cucumber, and Dill
In a large mixing bowl, you should carefully combine the sliced beets, thin cucumber slices, and the freshly chopped dill. Use a light hand during this stage; the beets are tender and can break apart easily. You are simply preparing the base for the dressing.
After combining the vegetables and dill, you can drizzle the entire vinaigrette over the mixture. Toss the ingredients very gently, making sure that the dressing lightly coats everything. You do not want pools of dressing at the bottom of the bowl.
The Role of Feta Cheese in Beet Salad
Feta cheese is the defining ingredient that elevates this simple salad into a Mediterranean masterpiece. Its salty, tangy, and creamy texture provides a necessary contrast to the earthy sweetness of the beets. You can find many more recipe ideas like this one on our Pinterest page.
You have a choice for the final presentation: you can gently toss the feta into the dressed salad, or you can use it as a garnish. If you want the beautiful white color of the feta to stand out, you should add it right before serving. This prevents the beet juice from staining it pink.
Customizing and Serving Your Salad
This Beet Salad with Feta recipe is highly versatile and welcomes personalization. You can easily adjust the ingredients based on your dietary needs or what you have available in your kitchen. Making a salad your own is always rewarding.
Ideas for Different Add-ins and Herbs
Feel free to experiment with different herbs if dill is not your favorite. Fresh parsley, mint, or even a bit of oregano can give the salad a slightly different Mediterranean twist. For added crunch, you can try incorporating toasted walnuts, pecans, or sunflower seeds.
You might also want to substitute the feta with a different cheese. Try goat cheese or cotija for a similar salty, creamy texture. These small changes keep the salad exciting and allow you to serve it frequently without getting bored with the flavor.
Best Practices for Chilling and Storing
While the salad can be served immediately after assembly, the flavors truly develop if you allow it to chill. Letting the Beet Salad with Feta sit for 15–30 minutes before serving allows the dressing to meld beautifully with the vegetables. You will notice a deeper, more unified taste.
If you plan to store leftovers, it is best to keep the dressing separate and add it right before serving. However, if the salad is already dressed, you can refrigerate it for 1–2 days. For more quick and easy recipes, you can always check out our Appetizers Category.
Understanding the Beet Salad Nutrition Facts
You can enjoy this Beet Salad with Feta, Cucumbers, and Dill knowing it provides good nutritional value. Each serving is relatively low in calories while being a good source of fiber and protein. This makes it an excellent choice for a light lunch or a healthy side dish.
Calorie and Macronutrient Breakdown
Each serving of this vibrant salad contains about 180 calories. The fat content is around 11g, mostly from healthy unsaturated fats found in the olive oil. You will also get 14g of carbohydrates and a modest 5g of protein, making it a very balanced side. We share recipes like this daily on our Instagram account.
Fiber, Sugar, and Sodium Content
The salad is a solid source of dietary fiber, offering 3g per serving, which supports healthy digestion. The sugar content is 7g, primarily from the naturally sweet beets. The sodium is 320mg, which is mainly contributed by the salty feta cheese and the added seasoning.
Conclusion
Beet Salad with Feta, Cucumbers, and Dill is a recipe that proves simple ingredients can create spectacular results. You now have the knowledge to prepare perfectly cooked beets, craft a balanced vinaigrette, and assemble a vibrant salad. This dish is versatile, beautiful on the plate, and packed with fresh, satisfying flavors you will want to make repeatedly.
You can easily integrate this simple, nutritious recipe into your rotation as a go-to side dish or light meal. Do not forget that the key to its success lies in using fresh ingredients and applying gentle technique during assembly. For more dinner ideas, be sure to visit our Dinners Category on the site.
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Beet Salad with Feta, Cucumbers, and Dill
- Total Time: 60 minutes
Description
There’s something about simple, honest ingredients coming together in a bowl that makes my heart sing—and this Beet Salad with Feta, Cucumbers, and Dill is exactly that kind of magic. I’ve made this more times than I can count, and each time, I’m reminded that you don’t need complexity to have beauty on a plate.
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
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar or lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (for a touch of sweetness)
Instructions
- Prep the Beets: If you’re roasting, wrap each beet in foil and roast at 400°F for 45–60 minutes until fork-tender. Cool, peel, and slice. If steaming, simmer peeled beets for about 30 minutes.
- Slice the Cucumber: Use a mandoline or sharp knife for thin, even slices.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar or lemon juice, and optional honey/maple syrup. Season with salt and pepper.
- Assemble: In a large mixing bowl, combine sliced beets, cucumber, and chopped dill. Drizzle with dressing and gently toss.
- Finish with Feta: Top with crumbled feta and give one last gentle toss or leave as a garnish.
- Serve or Chill: Serve immediately or refrigerate for 1–2 hours to let flavors develop.
Notes
For faster prep, use store-bought pre-cooked beets—just make sure they’re unsweetened.
This salad is highly customizable—try different herbs, cheeses, or add-ins based on your preferences. Letting the salad sit for 15–30 minutes before serving allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
Use gloves if peeling beets by hand to avoid stained fingers. Add feta right before serving if you want to preserve its clean white color.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 servings
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Salad, Side Dish, Mediterranean, Vegetarian