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Yummy Beet Salad

I will admit that I was probably in my 50’s before I even tried a beet salad! To the unknowing, it sounds awful, but I encourage you to give this one a try. Using fresh and flavorful ingredients is the key and like me, you might find that you actually DO like beets and actually crave a beet salad!

Like most of my salads, I don’t exactly stick to a recipe per se, but like to carefully choose my ingredients and layer them to my individual taste on a big plate or in a good salad bowl. For most of my salads, I love this set of bowls and next to our dinner plates, they are the most used items in our cupboard. However, for this beet salad, I prefer a dinner plate so I can see all the ingredients and have a perfect mix for each bite. This salad is perfect for a light lunch or a refreshing side dish – it brings together the earthy sweetness of beets, the peppery kick of arugula, the nutty crunch of toasted almonds, and the creamy tang of honey goat cheese, all tied together with a zesty lemon vinaigrette. Simple, yet elegant, this salad is sure to become a favorite in your repertoire.

Ingredients:

  • 1 package Trader Joe’s cooked beets, drained and diced (sold in the refrigerated produce section)
  • 1-2 c. Trader Joe’s Organic arugula
  • Trader Joe’s toasted almonds
  • Honey goat cheese, crumbled
  • For the Lemon Vinaigrette:
    • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
    • Juice of 1 lemon
    • 1 teaspoon honey
    • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Protein – feel free to add salmon, chicken or steak if you are making this a main dish

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Lemon Vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper until well combined. Set aside.
  2. Assemble the Salad: For an individual salad, I use about 1-2 cups arugula – massage it and then chop into finer pieces (this is a key step to any of my salads). Chop 2 of the beets (the package contains 6 beets – I use 2 for an individual salad) and layer on the greens. Crumble honey goat cheese and sprinkle toasted almonds on top. If this is a main dish for your meal, feel free to add some protein. I love this salad with salmon, chicken or steak! Top with a little salt and pepper for extra flavor.
  3. Drizzle the Lemon Vinaigrette over the salad – I find less is more, but add to your liking.
  4. Enjoy: I hope you enjoy this salad as much as I do. For some, it’s an acquired taste, but I think there is truly nothing better than a fresh beet salad!

Tips for Success:

  • For added convenience, you can find pre-cooked and peeled beets at Trader Joe’s, saving you time in the kitchen. These come 6 beets to a package and they’re found in the refrigerated produce section.
  • I LOVE the toasted, unsalted slivered almonds from Trader Joe’s (I’m all about convenience!), but you can also toast almonds yourself for an extra layer of flavor and crunch. Simply spread the almonds on a baking sheet and toast in a preheated oven at 350°F for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown and fragrant.
  • Adjust the sweetness of the vinaigrette to your liking by adding more or less honey.
  • Feel free to customize this salad to your preferences by adding ingredients like sliced red onions, avocado, or your choice of protein,

Conclusion: With just a few simple ingredients from Trader Joe’s, you can create a beet salad that’s bursting with flavor and nutrition and will rival anything you get a a restaurant. Whether you’re looking for a light lunch, a side dish for dinner, or a colorful addition to your next gathering, this recipe is sure to impress. So grab your ingredients and get ready to enjoy the fresh and flavorful goodness of Yummy Beet Salad!