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.
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've 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?
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Reasons to love this recipe
Besides my clever puns, if one of these reasons doesn't convince you to try this salad, I don't know what will!
- 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.
- Golden beets- Also known as "yellow" beets/beetroot. They have a sweeter, milder taste than red beets. Often sold at farmers' markets and some grocery stores. Try to buy from local farmers' markets or reputable sources whenever possible. If you can't find yellow beets, fresh red beets are fine. 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 for the best taste.
- Lettuce- I love spring mix, but arugula or omaine 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 the beets, wrap them in aluminum foil, and let the oven do all the work.
Step 1. 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!
Step 2. Have some aluminum foil ready. Begin by cutting pieces of foil large enough to wrap each beet completely.
Step 3. 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.
Step 4. 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 the skin is stubborn, 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:
- Tomatoes- Tomatoes and beets go well together. Cut up some cherry tomatoes and add them to the salad. Better yet, add these roasted cherry tomatoes!
- Cheese- Mix up the cheese. Goat cheese, parmesan, or ricotta salata are great choices.
- Tarragon- If you don't have tarragon, substitute it with fresh thyme in the dressing.
- Nuts or seeds- Try walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts. Like seeds? Pumpkin or sunflower seeds add texture.
- Veggies- Try adding other veggies, such as cucumbers or radishes, for extra crunch.
How to serve
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, such as this summery strawberry BLT, or serve it alongside some scrambled eggs for a complete meal.
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're completely cooled before placing them in a 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
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.
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. Feel free to wear gloves while prepping.
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.
Made this recipe? I'd love to hear about it. Please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and comment below the recipe. Snapped a photo? Tag @brunchandbatter on Instagram so I can see your creation!
📖Recipe
Golden Beet Salad with Tarragon Vinaigrette
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*
*Nutrition information is an estimate and provided as a courtesy. Actual values may vary based on ingredients, measurements, and substitutions.
linda says
This was so refreshing and a great way to use up my beets!