Spring Beet Salad with Mint and Pistachios

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This vibrant spring beet salad with mint and pistachios is incredibly delicious. It has two kinds of beets, chopped mint, green onion and pistachios tossed in a tangy dijon and lemon dressing that is bright, tart and slightly sweet. It comes together quickly with minimal cooking to produce a restaurant quality salad that everyone will love

Big wooden bowl filled with a salad of beets, herbs and nuts.

Why you'll love this Beet Salad

Easy recipe perfect for beginners
Full of flavors, the lemon and mustard dressing makes the earthy beets taste delicious
Gluten-free, Dairy-free Recipe
Easy to customize, add your favorite Feta or Goat Cheese or keep it Vegan as is
Lot's of textural variation: tender beets paired with crunchy pistachios are a part in your mouth
The short ingredient list makes this recipe quick to whip up
It's super healthy! Beets are full of vitamins and antioxidants
Gorgeous presentation makes it a winner for Easter or any other special occasion

Pro Beet Tip:

When choosing beets at the store, select small to medium sized beets instead of the giant ones. While bigger ones may be easier to peel, they often have a dry and woody texture and an earthier "dirt-like" flavor. The smaller ones are sweeter and have a smoother feel.

wooden salad bowl filled with a vibrant beet salad

Spring Beet Salad Ingredients

This salad has a very short ingredient list! And though we are calling this a Spring salad, most of these items are abundant year round thanks to modern grocers.

Beets: We are using two kinds of beets in this salad. Red and Chiogga, But you can also use golden beets or whichever kind available.
Mint and Green Onion: Fresh mint and scallions bring a bright pop of green and fresh flavors that are complimentary to the beets without overpowering.
Pistachios- Crunchy pistachio nuts are the perfect Spring green color and lend a great crunch to each bite!
Lemon, Dijon Mustard, Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Pure Maple Syrup- Combined these make a delicious dressing that is bright, lemony, tangy and sweet. It's a strong flavor but doesn't overpower the beets, instead it compliments the sweetness with the mustardy bite.

Bonus tip: When preparing beets, be aware that they do stain. If you care about your manicure or just don't want bright red hands, I advise you to wear gloves. Also, be careful as they can also stain countertops or wooden cutting surfaces. Beets are incredible!

ingredients for Spring Beet Salad laid out in a flatly . Beets, green onions, mint, lemon, olive oil, mustard, maple syrup, salt, pepper, pistachios

How to prepare beets for beet salad

Cooking and preparing beets for salad is easy work with a few pro tips.

First: Boil the beets with the peel intact. They are so much easier to peel once they are cooked. Rather than battling to peel them like potatoes, once cooked the peels just slip off.
Boil the beets until they are fork tender. Depending on the size of the beets, it will be 20-40 minutes. If the water evaporates during the cooking process add more to cover the beets completely.
Once tender, drain the water and run the beets under cold water until they are cool enough to handle.
Peel them easily by pressing gently and rubbing the peel with your thumb. The peel should come right off. If you prefer, you can also use a peeler.
Last cut off the ends and discard. Often there is a "rat tail" looking piece, and a woody looking end. Both have an unpleasant texture. Cut the rest in bite sized peices.

Tips for Making the Best Spring Beet Salad

Choose small to medium beets
Use multiple types of beets. Red, Gold, Chiogga are all great in a beet salad.
Get creative: add to the salad. Citrus fruits, red onions, and cheeses all go well with earthy beets.
Sub parsley for the mint, or use walnuts instead of pistachios. Or sub sunflower seeds if there is a nut allergy.
Use balsamic vinegar instead of lemon for a different presentation and flavor palette.

overhead view of a beet salad in a wooden bowl

FAQs

Are beets healthy?

Beets are really good for you! They have an exceptional nutrition profile, they are packed full of fiber, vitamin c, folate, and antioxidants. Plus they are low in calories while being nutrient dense. Many consider them a superfood due to their ability to improve heart and gut health.

Is it ok to eat beets every day?

For most healthy adults, the answer is yes, you can eat about a cup of beets per day. But for diabetics, people prone to kidney stones or those with already low blood pressure they should consult their doctor before eating with abandon.

What is Beeturia?

This may be TMI but I have to warn you! Beets can turn your urine and feces pink and red which can be a really scary thing if you are not expecting it. Beeturia is harmless and will go away on its own.

Can I use canned or precooked, prepared beets for this recipe?

Yes, you can use canned beets or prepared beets like LOVE BEETS. However, they do have a slightly different texture and flavor profile than beets that are home-cooked. I am all for cutting corners and making food easier for people of differing abilities. Buying prepared beets will make this recipe much quicker and simpler.

Can I use yellow mustard, I don't have any dijon!

Well, you can, but it won't taste the same. Dijon has a deeper flavor that has a spicy bite to it. Yellow mustard is more tangy and sour. In a pinch, you can do it but it won't make the best beet salad dressing.

Other Delicious Spring Salad Recipes

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