Roasted Beet and Arugula Salad using red and gold beets, is dressed simply with a red wine vinaigrette and is perfect as a side salad to pasta, pizza or even a light lunch. This salad is easy to make, can be prepared ahead and assembled in minutes.

Red and gold beets with arugula, pecans and shaved cheese

If you’re a beet fan like I am, then this Roasted Beet and Arugula Salad is for you because here’s nothing better than roasted beets. They take on so much flavor, they’re earthy and slightly nutty which is why this salad works.

The salad viewed from overhead on a white plate

A crunch addition

Toasted pecans perfectly complement the nuttiness of the beets with a slightly peppery bite from the arugula. This is offset by the creamy tang of the Asiago cheese, all the flavors just work so well together.

I like to roast the beets then keep them refrigerated until I make the salad. The dressing can also be made ahead and so the salad comes together in minutes.

A closeup of the vibrant red and gold beets

The lemon dressing is bright, very light and fresh tasting with a little acidity from the lemon and vinegar which is balanced out with a slight sweetness from honey or agave. The salad is finished with shaved Asiago cheese. I like Asiago because of it’s mild flavor, but you can use any cheese you prefer.

Pouring dressing onto a beet and arugula salad

This salad not only looks striking and colorful, it looks gourmet. It is good enough to serve at a dinner party to your most discerning guests. My grocery store stocks both gold and red beets and I like to make both just for the look. If you can’t find gold beets, using all red beets is just as good.

May also happens to be salad month, so go ahead, treat yourself to a delicious salad. Not only are they enjoyable, they’re also good for you and the possibilities are endless when it comes to building a good salad.

Serving suggestion

A closeup of the vibrant red and gold beets
5 from 17 reviews

Roasted Beet and Arugula Salad

Janette
Roasted beet and arugula salad is dressed simply with a red wine vinaigrette and is perfect as a side salad to pasta, pizza or even a light lunch. 
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 6
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Ingredients
 

  • 2 pounds (907 grams) red and gold beets, trimmed of the greens, washed and dried
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper
  • Juice of 2 lemons
  • 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
  • ¼ teaspoon honey
  • ½ cup (118 ml) light olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • Small pinch freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 ounces (95 grams) pecan halves, unsalted
  • 1 cup (20 grams) arugula/rocket lettuce
  • 3 ounces (84 grams) Asiago cheese, shaved with potato peeler, You can use any cheese you prefer or leave it out.

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 375°F/190°C.
  • Take a large piece of foil and place beets in the center. Drizzle with the tablespoon of olive oil, salt and pepper.nWrap up well and tight in the foil. Roast for 45 minutes until tender. They should have no resistance when a knife is inserted.nAllow the beets to cool in the open foil packets.
  • To a small mixing bowl, add the lemon juice, red wine vinegar and honey or agave. Drizzle in the olive oil while whisking until emulsified. Add salt and pepper to taste, set aside.
  • Add the pecans to a small sauté pan over medium low heat. Toast until you start to smell the pecans, turning often until toasted. Set aside and allow to cool.
  • Once cooled, the beets should peel easily by using a paper towel to ‘wipe’ the skin off. Slice into wedges. Arrange on a plate, sprinkle with arugula, pecans and slices of cheese.
  • Drizzle with the dressing and freshly ground pepper.
Serving: 1, Calories: 159kcal, Carbohydrates: 18g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 14mg, Sodium: 356mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 7g
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