Description

A fresh and vibrant Grated Beet Salad with a delightful mix of natural sweetness, tangy apple cider vinegar dressing, and a satisfying crunch from fresh carrots and herbs. This light and wholesome salad is perfect as a side dish, light lunch, or party platter, featuring plant-based feta cheese for optional creamy depth and easily customizable with nuts, fruits, or additional herbs.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

2 medium fresh beets, washed and peeled, finely grated
1 medium crisp carrot, washed, peeled, and finely grated
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (natural)
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (natural)
2 tablespoons olive oil (natural)
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
1/4 cup plant-based feta cheese (plant-based), crumbled (optional)
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

Optional Variations

1/4 cup toasted walnuts or almonds, chopped
1/2 cup diced apples or orange segments
Fresh mint or cilantro, chopped (in place of parsley)
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin or smoked paprika
1/2 cup cooked chickpeas or cubed tofu

Instructions

Prepare the Vegetables: Thoroughly wash and peel the beets and carrots. Using a fine grater, shred the beets and carrots into thin, uniform pieces to ensure a cohesive yet crunchy texture in the salad.
Whisk the Dressing: In a small bowl, combine fresh lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until the dressing emulsifies into a smooth, tangy mixture.
Toss the Salad: Place the grated beets and carrots in a large salad bowl. Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss gently to coat every strand evenly, developing balanced flavor while preserving texture.
Add Fresh Herbs and Optional Cheese: Sprinkle finely chopped parsley over the salad. If desired, crumble plant-based feta cheese on top and give a final gentle toss to combine.
Serve or Chill: For best results, let the salad rest in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and deepen.

Notes

Choose the freshest beets for the sweetest and most vibrant flavor.
Grate vegetables by hand to control texture better than with a food processor.
Taste and adjust the dressing before mixing to balance acidity and oil for the perfect zing.
Add fresh herbs last to preserve their color and fragrance.
Serve chilled to enhance the refreshing and crisp nature of the salad.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Appetizers
Method: No cooking
Cuisine: International

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 120
Sugar: 9g
Sodium: 150mg
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 13g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: beet salad, grated beet salad, healthy salad, plant-based salad, vegan salad, gluten free salad, fresh salad, easy salad