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Beet Salad With Poppyseed Dressing – Bright, Fresh, and Simple

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • Beets: 4 medium beets, roasted or steamed, peeled, and sliced or cubed
  • Mixed greens: 4–6 cups (like arugula, spinach, or spring mix)
  • Orange or grapefruit: 1 large, segmented or sliced
  • Goat cheese or feta: 1/2 cup, crumbled
  • Toasted nuts: 1/3 cup (walnuts, pecans, or pistachios)
  • Red onion: 1/4 small, thinly sliced
  • Avocado (optional): 1, sliced
  • Greek yogurt or mayonnaise: 3 tablespoons (yogurt for lighter, mayo for creamier)
  • Olive oil: 2 tablespoons
  • Apple cider vinegar: 2 tablespoons
  • Honey or maple syrup: 1–1.5 tablespoons, to taste
  • Dijon mustard: 1 teaspoon
  • Poppyseeds: 1 tablespoon
  • Salt and black pepper: to taste

Method
 

  1. Cook the beets: Trim and scrub the beets. Wrap in foil and roast at 400°F (200°C) for 45–60 minutes, until a knife slides in easily. Or steam for 35–45 minutes. Cool, then peel and slice or cube. For quicker prep, use pre-cooked vacuum-packed beets.
  2. Toast the nuts: Add nuts to a dry skillet over medium heat. Stir for 3–4 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned. Transfer to a plate to cool.
  3. Make the dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk yogurt or mayo, olive oil, vinegar, honey, Dijon, salt, and pepper. Stir in poppyseeds. Taste and adjust sweetness or acidity as needed.
  4. Prep the citrus: Slice off the peel and pith. Segment or slice into rounds. Catch the juices to add to the dressing if you like.
  5. Layer the salad: Add greens to a large bowl or platter. Top with beets, citrus, red onion, and avocado if using. Scatter goat cheese and toasted nuts over the top.
  6. Dress and toss: Drizzle about half the dressing over the salad. Gently toss to coat. Add more dressing as needed. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper to finish.
  7. Serve: Plate immediately for the freshest texture. If serving later, keep components separate and dress just before eating.