Whether it’s freshly roasted or cool and pickled, beetroot is a fabulous addition to most salads. It’s natural sweetness provides lovely flavour, colour and juiciness to your dish, not the mention all the incredible vitamins it contains. To get you thinking about how you can include more beetroot in your salads, take a look through this perfectly purple recipe collection. We’ve got dishes with creamy goat’s cheese and feta, hearty pumpkin and warm grilled lamb. Just delicious!
Looking for more hearty salads?
Kitchen tips: How to cook whole beetroots
Prepare
Prepare fresh beetroot by scrubbing the outside (rather than peeling it). Trim any foliage, but do not cut into the beet itself as this will cause bleeding when it cooks. Don’t trim the beard at the base of the plant, and leave at least 2cm length of stem on the vegetable to stop it from bleeding.
Boil your beets
To boil beetroot, add whole beets to boiling water and cook for about 45 minutes, depending on their size. A skewer should slide through the thickest part easily to indicate it is cooked. Cool for 10 minutes, then peel with a vegetable peeler or, simply split and squeeze the skin with gloved hands, the skin should slip off easily.
Try it roasted
To roast whole beetroot, wrap in foil and roast at 180°C (160°C fan-forced) for about 45 minutes, depending on how large they are. Or chop coarsely, toss in olive oil and fresh thyme leaves and roast at 200°C (180°C fan-forced) for about 30 minutes or until tender.
Saute the leaves
Beetroot leaves are edible. Many chefs include beetroot leaf recipes in their cookbooks and most recommend eating the more tender young leaves, as the older leaves taste bitter. They can be served raw in salads dressed with balsamic vinegar; partially cooked by being tossed with just-drained hot pasta; or braised with butter or olive oil in a covered frying pan. If you intend to eat the leaves, separate them from the bulbs and store them, wrapped, in the refrigerator for no more than two or three days.
Microwave it
To microwave, peel and chop beetroot and microwave according to the manufacturer’s instructions (about 20-30 minutes).
01
Baked beetroot salad with cannellini beans, feta and mint
Baked beetroot salad with cannellini beans, feta and mint
An exquisite beetroot salad perfect for lunch or a light dinner.
06
Beetroot and pumpkin salad
This beautiful beetroot and roasted pumpkin salad is filling enough to enjoy as a healthy vegetarian dinner, or served alongside some freshly grilled lamb. You can take any leftovers to work or school, too.
08
Falafel with beetroot and mixed green salad
Falafel with beetroot and mixed green salad
Drizzled in a garlic yoghurt sauce, this colourful salad is full of flavour and nutrition.
09
Smoky piquant steak and roasted beetroot salad
Smoky piquant steak and roasted beetroot salad
Warm steak seasoned with smoked paprika makes for a filling and delicious salad packed with protein and flavour.
11
Pearl barley salad
This delicious roasted beetroot, broccoli and pearl barley salad is beautiful enjoyed warm with a creamy tahini dressing. It’s the perfect example that healthy, vegetarian food can be delicious and filling!
13
Freekeh tabbouleh beetroot
This Middle Eastern-inspired salad has everything to keep you going throughout the afternoon or evening.
14
Warm beetroot, egg and potato salad
Warm beetroot, egg and potato salad
A simple and interesting warm beetroot, egg and potato salad that makes an excellent light lunch.
16
Beetroot, asparagus and fetta salad
Beetroot, asparagus and fetta salad
A beautiful salad with a gorgeous combination of flavours and textures.
18
Roasted beetroot and millet salad
Roasted beetroot and millet salad
This nourishing roasted beetroot and millet salad is the perfect balance of flavour and texture. Full of wholesome ingredients, this is one tasty dish you can feel good about eating!
19
Lamb kofta with white beans
Spiced lamb koftas are perfectly paired with a fresh beetroot tzatziki and delicately dressed white bean salad for a healthy and nourishing meal.
20
Roasted beetroot, orange and char-grilled chicken salad
21
Baby beetroot, green lentil, watercress and hazelnut salad
22
Beetroot and heirloom carrot salad with persian fetta
Beetroot and heirloom carrot salad with persian fetta
Colourful heirloom carrots, in hues of purple, taste the same as their orange cousins, and were in fact the norm until the Dutch developed the modern-day orange version in the 17th century. They taste and look fantastic in this stunning salad.
24
Beetroot & carrot salad with goat’s cheese twists
Beetroot & carrot salad with goat’s cheese twists
Delicious and colourful beetroot and carrot salad with goat’s cheese twists
25
Warm salad of root vegetables
Ditch that old idea of salads as rabbit food and delight in this warm salad full of roasted root vegetables like beetroot, pumpkin and carrot.
27
Warm beetroot and lentil salad with pork sausages
Warm beetroot and lentil salad with pork sausages
Healthy and delicious warm beetroot and lentil salad with pork sausages.
30
Salad of roasted beetroot with goat’s cheese and walnuts
Salad of roasted beetroot with goat’s cheese and walnuts
This richly coloured salad is full of anti-oxidants, calcium and good fats. It is also absolutely delicious, which makes it just about perfect for a light lunch or side dish.
34
Roasted beetroot and blue cheese salad with honey pecans
Roasted beetroot and blue cheese salad with honey pecans
This mouth-watering salad is full of contrasting flavours and textures, from creamy cheese to crunchy nuts.
36
Spiced lentils and beetroot with dill yoghurt
Spiced lentils and beetroot with dill yoghurt
Spiced lentils, spinach , beetroot and goat’s cheese come together in a delightful combination of flavours. Great as a side dish or main event
37
Minted lamb cutlets with beetroot salad
Minted lamb cutlets with beetroot salad
With plenty of hearty roasted beetroot and Jap pumpkin this salad is the ideal accompaniment for minted lamb cutlets in your midweek meal
38
Roasted vegetable salad
A great way to get your five a day. This hearty salad is packed full of roasted vegetables and balanced perfectly with a spicy mustard sauce.
