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Home » Recipes » Soups, Salads and Sides

Golden Beet Salad with Tarragon Vinaigrette

Published: Jun 8, 2024 by Jennifer

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Have you ever eaten a bowl of sunshine? This Golden Beet Salad with Tarragon Vinaigrette is truly sunshine in a bowl. Glorious, colorful roasted golden (yellow) beets are paired with crisp lettuce, creamy feta, toasted pistachios, and a flavorful, herby tarragon dressing.

Overview of yellow beet salad with greens and cheese.

I'm on a salad kick, AND a farmer's market kick, so naturally I needed to make a salad highlighting my favorite market find- the golden beet. A beautiful, colorful friend of the red beet- but without the mess and even tastier.

Golden beets are often described as less earthy, milder, and sweeter than their red counterparts. When roasted, (like in this salad), golden beets develop a rich, tender, buttery quality with a slightly nutty undertone. Doesn't that sound delish?

The beet salad is finished with a tarragon vinaigrette, which pairs beautifully with the mild beets. If you have never had tarragon, you'll notice it has distinct anise/licorice notes, with a fresh earthy taste. I mean, this salad really can't be beet -see what I did there?

Jump to:
  • Why you'll love this recipe
  • Ingredients
  • How to roast yellow beets
  • 💡Expert tip
  • Substitutions and variations
  • What to serve with golden beet salad
  • Storage and make ahead
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Perfect pairings
  • 📖Recipe

Why you'll love this recipe

  • It's light and refreshing
  • You and your guests will swoon over the pretty colors
  • Aside from roasting the beets, it comes together in no time
  • No red staining (like with those pesky red beets)
  • A great way to explore a new vegetable or use up that elusive CSA haul

Ingredients

This golden beet salad with tarragon vinaigrette is all about freshness, so be sure to use fresh herbs and good-quality ingredients.

Overhead of raw golden beets on a wooden surface.
Trimmed, raw golden beets
  • Golden beets- Also known as "yellow" beets/beetroot. They have a sweeter, milder taste than red beets. Often sold at farmer's markets and some grocery stores. Try to buy from local farmers' markets or reputable sources whenever possible. If you can't find yellow beets, than go ahead and use fresh red beets. Avoid canned beets for this recipe, because roasting them is key to their sweet, flavor profile.
  • Feta cheese- I use feta cheese. I always buy my feta in a block, and crumble it myself for the freshest flavor. Other cheeses such as goat cheese, parmesan, and ricotta salata will also work.
  • Pistachios- I like to use pistachios for a pop of green, but you can also use walnuts, almonds, or even sunflower seeds for added crunch. Toast your nuts prior for the best taste.
  • Lettuce- I love Spring mix, but arugula or Romaine is another great choice.
  • Tarragon- Fresh tarragon is best, but you can substitute dried if you have.
  • Olive oil- You can use extra virgin olive oil as well.
  • Orange juice- Freshly squeezed for the vinaigrette.
  • Dijon mustard- Adds some acidity to the dressing.
  • Honey- To sweeten the dressing.
  • Salt and pepper- For the dressing and for finishing the salad.

How to roast yellow beets

Roasting is the key to a sweet, tender beet. Just wash your beets, wrap them in aluminum, and let the oven do all the work.

Washed yellow beets on a metal tray.

Trim the leafy ends. Wash the beets thoroughly in water, scrubbing to remove any excess soil. No need to peel the beets- that comes later!

Beets wrapped in aluminum foil.

Have some aluminum foil ready. Begin by cutting pieces of foil, large enough to wrap each beet completely.

Beets wrapped in foil, with one beet showing.

Wrap each beet in the foil and place them on a baking sheet. Roast at 400℉ for about 50 minutes, or until you can run a knife through the beet. They should be tender, not mushy.

Peeled golden beets on parchment paper.

Allow them to cool completely before peeling. When cool enough to handle, remove the foil, and rub the skins between your fingers. The skin should come right off!

💡Expert tip

When peeling a beet, hold it under cool running water and use your hands or a paper towel to gently rub the skin. The skin should slip off easily. If any skin is stubborn, you can use a paring knife to gently scrape it off.

Substitutions and variations

This beetroot salad can be customized to your liking. Here are a few suggestions to try:

  1. Tomatoes- Tomatoes and beets go well together. Cut up some cherry tomatoes and add them to the salad.
  2. Cheese- Mix up the cheese. Goat cheese, parmesan or ricotta salata are great choices.
  3. Tarragon- If you don't have tarragon, substitute with fresh thyme in the dressing.
  4. Nuts or seeds- Try walnuts, almonds or hazelnuts. Like seeds? Pumpkin or sunflower seeds add texture.
  5. Other flavors- Try adding other veggies such as cucumbers or radishes for extra crunch.

What to serve with golden beet salad

There is no wrong way to serve this delicious summertime salad. Eat it alone or as a side dish with your favorite lunch.

As a side salad, it pairs wonderfully with sandwiches, like this summery strawberry BLT, or serve it alongside some scrambled eggs for a complete meal.

Eye-level view of golden beet salad in a white bowl on a wood surface.

Storage and make ahead

You can prep by roasting the beets ahead of time. Cooked beets can last for 3 to 5 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To save even more time, peel the beets before storing them.

When storing the beets, make sure they are completely cooled before placing them in your sealed container.

The tarragon dressing can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to one week. In fact the longer it sits, the more the flavors absorb. After removing the dressing from the fridge, give it a good mix again, as the oil will separate.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I find golden beets?

Yellow beets can typically be found in farmers' markets, specialty grocery stores, and sometimes in larger supermarket chains. They are often available during the same seasons as red beets, which are generally from late spring to fall.

Do golden beets stain?

Golden beets do not stain as intensely as red beets. While they can leave some color on your hands, cutting boards, or clothing, the yellow pigment is much less likely to cause stubborn stains compared to the deep red pigments found in red beets.

I can't find yellow beets. Can I use red beets?

Absolutely! The flavors will still complement each other. Just remember that red beets stain, and the color will run into the lettuce. In addition, red beets have an earthy taste and are not as sweet as their golden counterparts.

Perfect pairings

Perfect with eggs, sandwiches, or casseroles.

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Did you make this recipe? I would love to hear about it! Please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating with a comment right below the recipe card. If you snap a photo of your creation, don't forget to tag me on Instagram @brunchandbatter.

📖Recipe

Eye-level view of golden beet salad in a white bowl on a wood surface.

Golden Beet Salad with Tarragon Vinaigrette

Have you ever eaten a bowl of sunshine? This Golden Beet Salad with Tarragon Vinaigrette is truly sunshine in a bowl. Glorious, colorful roasted golden (yellow) beets are paired with crisp lettuce, creamy feta, toasted pistachios, and a flavorful, herby tarragon dressing.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 50 minutes mins
Cooling Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
Course Lunch, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 209 kcal

Equipment

  • baking sheet
  • aluminum foil

Ingredients
 

Tarragon Vinaigrette

  • ¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh tarragon
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • ¼ Kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • ⅛ freshly ground pepper, plus more to taste
  • ¾ cup olive oil

For the Salad

  • 4-5 ounces (4-6 loosely packed cups) lettuce (Spring mix, baby spinach, arugula, etc.) *see notes
  • 6 golden (yellow) beets
  • ¼-½ cup (2-4 ounces) feta cheese, crumbled
  • ½ cup (4 ounces) chopped pistachios shelled and unsalted
  • tarragon vinaigrette to taste *recipe follows
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

Tarragon Vinaigrette

  • Place all the ingredients (except the olive oil) in a bowl. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while continuing to whisk until it comes together.
    Alternatively, you can use a jar with a tight-fitting lid. With this method, you can add all the ingredients, secure the lid, and shake vigorously until well-mixed. This will yield 1 cup of dressing.
    ¾ cup olive oil, ¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice, ¼ cup chopped fresh tarragon, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon honey, ¼ Kosher salt, plus more to taste, ⅛ freshly ground pepper, plus more to taste

For the Salad

  • Roast the beets: Preheat the oven to 400℉. Trim the leaves off the beets, and wash them to remove any dirt. Wrap each beet in aluminum foil, and place them on a baking sheet. Bake for about 50 minutes, or until easily pierced with a knife. They should be soft, but still tender (not mushy). Allow to cool for about 15 minutes before peeling.
    6 golden (yellow) beets
  • When the beets are cool enough to handle, remove the foil, and rub the skins between your fingers. The skin should come right off. Cut the beets into equal-sized pieces.
  • Assemble the salad: On large platter or individual bowls, add the lettuce, beets, feta, and nuts. Add the tarragon dressing to taste (start with 2-3 tablespoons then taste), then gently toss. Season with additional dressing, salt, and pepper as needed.
    4-5 ounces (4-6 loosely packed cups) lettuce (Spring mix, baby spinach, arugula, etc.), ¼-½ cup (2-4 ounces) feta cheese, crumbled, ½ cup (4 ounces) chopped pistachios, tarragon vinaigrette to taste, salt and pepper to taste

Notes

  • Although I listed amounts for the ingredients, the salad can be made however you want. You can adjust the ingredients to your preference. I tend to go lighter on the lettuce, to let the beets shine. 
  • The tarragon vinaigrette will yield 1 cup of dressing, but you won't need nearly that much. I like to drizzle and taste as I go. The dressing can be kept in the fridge for up to 1 week. Use it on cooked veggies and salads. It also makes a great bread dip.

Nutrition*

Serving: 1 saladCalories: 209kcalCarbohydrates: 18.6gProtein: 6.7gFat: 13.2gSaturated Fat: 4.3gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 339mgPotassium: 805mgFiber: 6.4gSugar: 10.6gCalcium: 144mgIron: 3mg

*Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. Nutrition information can vary depending on many factors, such as products used, measurements and substitutions, therefore it is recommended that you obtain nutritional calculations based on your own finished recipe.

Have you tried this recipe?Leave a comment below and share a photo on Instagram. Tag @brunchandbatter or hashtag it with #brunchandbatter

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Comments

    5 from 1 vote

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    Recipe Rating




  1. linda says

    July 01, 2024 at 3:24 pm

    5 stars
    This was so refreshing and a great way to use up my beets!

    Reply
Author looking at the camera holding eggs.

About Jennifer

Oh hey there! I'm Jennifer, the recipe developer, blogger, and food photographer behind Brunch and Batter. I've been a seasoned home cook (and nurse) for over 25 years, specializing in unique breakfast recipes, updated lunch classics, and simple, no-fuss desserts. I'm so glad you found me! Read more...

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